Senior Staff Engineer, Thermal Simulation

Engg; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 189,000 - 301,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

401k

Paid time off

Fertility/adoption stipend

Medical travel support

Pet care/vet

Onsite gym and café

Flexible work environment

Job summary

Samsung Semiconductor in San Jose seeks a highly experienced Senior Staff Thermal Engineer to lead thermal modeling, analysis, and solution development for semiconductors and advanced packaging. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams and customers to drive design validation and optimization.

The role requires deep expertise in thermal simulation, heat transfer, and electronics cooling, with hands-on CFD tool usage and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal/Fluids, or related Physical Science with 10+ years of industry experience preferred.
• Experience with CFD tools listed above and electronics packaging issues.
• Ability to build models, analyze results, and propose engineering recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and perform hands-on thermal modeling for semiconductor packages and advanced packaging.
• Build and analyze detailed models using CFD tools, including setup, boundary conditions, solver execution and post-processing.
• Influence architecture, materials selection, and thermal design constraints.
• Analyze simulation and measurement results to improve reliability and performance.
• Support customers throughout product development from concept to validation.
• Translate customer requirements into simulation methodologies and develop standards.

Skills

Thermal modeling

CFD tools

Heat transfer

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Independent troubleshooting

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering / Thermal-Fluids or related

Tools

ANSYS Icepak

Siemens Flotherm

CELSIUS

Job description

Please Note: To provide the best candidate experience amidst our high application volumes, each candidate is limited to 10 applications across all open jobs within a 6-month period. Advancing the World’s Technology Together Our technology solutions power the tools you use every day--including smartphones, electric vehicles, hyperscale data centers, IoT devices, and so much more. Here, you’ll have an opportunity to be part of a global leader whose innovative designs are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and powering the future. We believe innovation and growth are driven by an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce. We’re dedicated to empowering people to be their true selves. Together, we’re building a better tomorrow for our employees, customers, partners, and communities. We are seeking a highly experience hands‑on Senior Staff Thermal Engineer to lead thermal modeling, analysis, and solution development for semiconductors and advanced packaging technologies. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in semiconductor packaging, advanced packaging, electronics cooling, or a related field, with demonstrated expertise in thermal simulation and analysis. This role will work closely with Samsung customers and internal engineering customers and internal engineering teams to develop and optimize thermal solutions from early product through detailed modeling and design validation. The successful candidate will collaborate extensively with cross functional and cross-cultural teams.

Location

Daily onsite presence at our San Jose headquarters in alignment with our Flexible Work policy with 10-20% of domestic and international travel.

Reports to

Thermal/Mechanical Simulation Manager

What You'll Do

• Lead and perform hands-on thermal modeling and analysis for semiconductor packages, advanced packaging, and electronic systems.
• Build and analyze detailed models using ANSYS Icepak and Siemens Flotherm, including model setup, boundary conditions, solver execution and post-processing.
• Influence the architecture and/or design, materials selection, and structural integrity of the high-performance advanced packaging, and other associated components and collaterals under manufacturing, test, and usage conditions.
• Analyze simulation and measurement results to enhance product reliability.
• Support Samsung customers throughout the product development cycle, from early thermal architecture and feasibility studies to detailed modeling, optimizations, and design recommendations.
• Translate customer requirements and thermal specifications into simulation methodologies.
• Develop best known standards and methodologies and create innovative solutions for challenging semiconductor and packaging applications.
• Communicate technical findings clearly through engineering reports, presentations and customer reviews.
• Stay current with emerging technologies in advanced packaging, HBM, 2.5D/3D integrations, high power computing, and electronics cooling.

What You Bring

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal/Fluids, or related Physical Science with 10+ years of Industry Experience is preferred.
• Experience in the use of CFD tools such as ANSYS Icepak, Flotherm, CELSIUS and analyzing, debugging, and proposing solutions to resolve various electronic packaging issues observed during assembly, reliability and operation.
• Ability to independently build models, perform analysis, troubleshoot results and develop engineering recommendations.
• Strong understanding of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermal management, and electronics cooling fundamentals.
• Fundamental understanding of IC chip/package architectures and thermal design constraints.
• Working experience in SiP (System in Package) thermal analysis.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross functional and cross cultural teams.
• You're inclusive, adapting your style to the situation and diverse global norms of our people.
• An avid learner, you approach challenges with curiosity and resilience, seeking data to help build understanding.
• You're collaborative, building relationships, humbly offering support and openly welcoming approaches.
• You're innovative and creative, you proactively explore new ideas and adapt quickly to change.

#LI-MD1

What We Offer

The pay range below is for all roles at this level across all US locations and functions. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer incentive opportunities that reward employees based on individual and company performance. This is in addition to our diverse package of benefits centered around the wellbeing of our employees and their loved ones. In addition to the usual Medical/Dental/Vision/401k, our inclusive rewards plan empowers our people to care for their whole selves. An investment in your future is an investment in ours. Give Back With a charitable giving match and frequent opportunities to get involved, we take an active role in supporting the community. Enjoy Time Away You’ll start with 4+ weeks of paid time off a year, plus holidays and sick leave, to rest and recharge. Care for Family Whatever family means to you, we want to support you along the way—including a stipend for fertility care or adoption, medical travel support, and virtual vet care for your fur babies. Prioritize Emotional Wellness With on-demand apps and free confidential therapy sessions, you’ll have support no matter where you are. Stay Fit Eating well and being active are important parts of a healthy life. Our onsite Café and gym, plus virtual classes, make it easier. Embrace Flexibility Benefits are best when you have the space to use them. That’s why we facilitate a flexible environment so you can find the right balance for you.

Base Pay Range $189,000 - $301,000 USD

Equal Opportunity Employment Policy Samsung Semiconductor takes pride in being an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to foste