Principal Thermal Engineer

Nutanix; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 210,000 - 315,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. seeks a Principal Thermal Engineer to solve complex thermal challenges for the Dragonfly AI300 platform.

You will drive thermal architecture, validation, and optimization across silicon, packaging, and system levels, partnering with design and hardware teams to ensure peak performance and reliability. The role requires deep expertise in high-power electronics cooling, CFD tools, and hands-on testing, with strong communication and cross-functional leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in a relevant engineering field with 6–8+ years of experience in system/package cooling or equivalent.
• Experience in electronics cooling for AI/data-center products is required.
• Strong CFD/thermal simulation and test validation experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead thermal architecture solutions through simulation and test with stakeholders.
• Perform thermal simulations from silicon to data center environment.
• Conduct thermal tests and present results to stakeholders.

Skills

Thermal analysis

CFD tools

Python/C/C++

Matlab

Scripting for data analysis

Experimentation

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Chem/EE/Mech

PhD in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS Icepak

Celsius EC

Flotherm

Power/thermal test equipment

Job description

Company:Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Packaging EngineeringGeneral Summary:Qualcomm is driving the next generation of AI computing, delivering breakthrough technologies that power intelligent experiences from edge devices to the data center.Our Hardware Systems organization is seeking a Principal Thermal Engineer to solve complex thermal challenges and enable industry-leading performance, efficiency, and reliability across the Qualcomm Dragonfly AI300 platform and future AI computing platforms. This position offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge thermal architecture, simulation, validation, and optimization challenges, helping bring innovative AI products from concept through production while collaborating with world-class experts across silicon, packaging, hardware, and system engineering teams.Key Responsibilities:Lead thermal architecture solutions through simulation and test while working with various stakeholders.Perform thermal simulations utilizing CFD tools from silicon to data center environment throughout product development phase.Drive direction and strategy discussions, work cross-functionally with technical leads on tradeoffs, conduct thermal design reviews and presentations.Conduct thermal tests to validate/characterize models and present results to stakeholders.Analyze and document simulation and test results.Minimum Qualifications:• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 8+ years of System/Package Design/Technology Engineering or related work experience.ORMaster's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 7+ years of System/Package Design/Technology Engineering or related work experience.ORPhD in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 6+ year of System/Package Design/Technology Engineering or related work experience.Preferred Qualifications:10+ years of industry experience in electronics cooling, with a strong focus on high-performance computing, AI, or data center products.Experience developing thermal solutions for high-power processors, GPUs, AI accelerators, or advanced compute platforms utilizing air, liquid, or hybrid cooling technologiesDeep understanding of thermal management technologies and design elements, including thermal interface materials (TIMs), heat spreaders, heat sinks, vapor chambers, heat pipes, and forced-air cooling solutions.Experience with advanced semiconductor packaging technologies, including 2.5D and 3D package architectures; exposure to high-power AI accelerator packaging is highly desirable.Proficiency in scripting and programming for data analysis, model automation, and tool development using languages such as Python, C/C++, MATLAB, or equivalent.Strong expertise in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, with hands-on experience using industry-standard tools such as ANSYS Icepak, Celsius EC, Flotherm, or similar platforms.Demonstrated ability to design, execute, and analyze thermal validation experiments in a laboratory environment, including hands-on use of airflow, temperature, power, and data-acquisition instrumentation.Experience correlating simulation models with empirical test results and driving model accuracy improvements throughout the product development lifecycle.Excellent communication, presentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to influence technical decisions across diverse engineering teams.Ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts, analyses, and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.Familiarity with AI/ML workloads, accelerator architectures, and associated thermal challenges is a plusQualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail [e-mail] or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here . Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits :$210,000.00 - $315,000.00The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link .If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers .