Senior Thermal Systems Engineer

Advantest; Lake Forest (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global Bonus Program

401(k) Plan

Medical, Dental & Vision

Income Protection

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Time Off

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Advantest America Inc. in Lake Forest, CA seeks a Senior Thermal Systems Engineer to act as thermal technical lead on major programs.

You will own the thermal design and validation for liquid‑cooled and refrigerant‑based systems, from architecture through mass production, while mentoring junior engineers. The role requires 8+ years in semiconductors, hands‑on testing, PID control expertise, and SolidWorks proficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or Physics.
• 8+ years in the semiconductor industry leading thermal scope on programs independently.
• Active thermal control experience in the semiconductor industry.
• Expertise in thermal system design and validation for liquid‑cooling and refrigerant‑based systems.
• End-to-end lifecycle experience: prototyping, design validation, mass production.
• Hands‑on capability performing thermal system testing and design validation.
• Knowledge of cold plates, heaters, heat sinks, chillers, and condensing units.
• Travel up to 20% to customer sites.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the thermal lead on assigned programs, drafting thermal system requirements.
• Own thermal system design and validation for liquid‑cooled and refrigerant‑based systems from architecture through release.
• Lead thermal system design across the product lifecycle including prototyping, validation, and mass production.
• Design and develop thermal components such as cold plates, heaters, heat sinks, chillers, and condensing units.
• Perform hands‑on thermal system testing and validation to meet specifications.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to integrate thermal solutions into product designs.
• Mentor junior engineers and guide field teams on thermal scope and issues.

Skills

Thermal system design

Liquid cooling

Refrigerant-based systems

PID control

Thermal testing

Semiconductor experience

3D CAD (SolidWorks)

Travel up to 20%

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

SolidWorks Flow

Ansys Icepak

Job description

Advantest America Inc. is part of Advantest Corporation, the world’s largest provider of automated test equipment (ATE) for the semiconductor industry. The company designs and manufactures cutting‑edge testing solutions that help semiconductor manufacturers ensure the quality and performance of their products. Advantest is known for innovation, reliability, and a strong commitment to supporting its customers and employees.

Our Purpose & Values:

Mission: Improve lives through advanced technologies and customer‑focused innovation.

Vision: Be the most trusted and valued test solution provider in the semiconductor value chain.

Core Values:

• I- Innovation is our Lifeblood
• N- Number One is Our Aspiration
• T- Trust is our Foundation
• E- Empowerment is Our Motivation
• G- Global is our Reach
• R- Respect is our Heart
• I - Inclusion and Diversity is Our Commitment
• T- Teamwork is our Approach
• Y- Yes is Our Attitude

Why Join Us

At Advantest, innovation starts with people. We’re looking for curious, capable, and collaborative individuals ready to shape the future of semiconductor technology. You’ll join a global team where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your work makes a real impact.

We foster an integrity‑centered culture, where honesty, inclusion, and respect are the foundation of everything we do.

Job Description

Senior Thermal Systems Engineer

Advantest Test Solutions, Inc. (ATS) is seeking a Senior Thermal Systems Engineer to serve as a thermal technical lead on our team in Lake Forest, CA. ATS is a leading provider of massively parallel electronic test systems, including System Level Test (SLT), burn‑in, and semiconductor/module testing. We offer an exciting portfolio of high‑performance test systems that support the semiconductor industry worldwide.

This individual will act as the thermal lead on assigned programs, taking ownership of technical decisions and drafting thermal requirements with minimal supervision. The role covers the full range of thermal and mechanical engineering functions related to the design, testing, and evaluation of thermal systems for electronic systems, including semiconductors, photonics, and embedded devices, from early concept through mass production. Responsibilities include directing thermal system design and validation, mentoring junior engineers, and serving as the primary technical point of contact for thermal scope on their programs.

• Serve as the thermal lead on assigned programs, making independent technical decisions and drafting thermal system requirements.
• Own thermal system design and validation for liquid‑cooled and refrigerant‑based systems, from architecture through release.
• Lead thermal system design and validation across the full product lifecycle, including prototyping, design validation, and transition to mass production.
• Design and develop thermal components such as cold plates (liquid‑cooling and two‑phase), ceramic heaters, heat sinks, chillers, and condensing units.
• Design and support high power, high temperature active thermal control systems.
• Perform hands‑on thermal system testing and design validation to confirm designs meet specifications and performance requirements.
• Conduct thermal analyses to evaluate component and system‑level performance.
• Collaborate with and provide technical direction to design and development teams to integrate thermal solutions into product designs.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced engineers on the team.
• Optimize thermal designs to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance performance.
• Develop and maintain detailed documentation of designs, analyses, and testing results.
• Stay current with advancements in thermal management technologies and methodologies.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations related to thermal design and performance.
• Work with procurement, manufacturing, quality assurance, and technical support teams to establish specifications, and assist in vendor/supplier selection for parts, materials, and assemblies.
• Provide hands‑on support during product installation and commissioning at customer sites, and guidance to the field service team.
• Identify risk areas and opportunities for optimization, and drive resolution of field issues in collaboration with the field team.
• Act as a technical point of contact for customers on thermal‑related issues for their programs.
• Conduct hands‑on evaluation of prototype and sub‑assembly builds, including thorough performance assessments.
• Perform additional duties as required.

Requirements

Requirements, Education & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or Physics required; Master's degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in the semiconductor industry, with a demonstrated track record of leading thermal scope on programs independently, including drafting technical requirements and making design decisions with minimal oversight.
• Active thermal control experience in the semiconductor industry required.
• Expertise in thermal system design and validation for liquid‑cooled and refrigerant‑based systems.
• Proven experience across the end‑to‑end product lifecycle: prototyping, design validation, and mass production.
• Hands‑on capability performing thermal system testing and design validation.
• Deep knowledge of cold plates (liquid‑cooling, two‑phase), ceramic heaters, heat sinks, chillers, and condensing units.
• Experience with high power, high temperature active thermal control systems.
• Experience with PID control and tuning for closed‑loop thermal systems.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to lead technical decisions on ambiguous problems.
• Background in electronic packaging, testing, and integration of thermal systems into automated handling preferred.
• Experience working on cross‑functional teams building complex test systems involving motion control hardware, electrical, and software components is a plus.
• Familiarity with burn‑in ovens and active thermal control solutions for automotive‑or‑military‑grade devices is a plus.
• Experience with heaters, Peltiers, heatsinks, sockets, condensation abatement, and airflow uniformity is desirable.
• 3D design experience with SolidWorks preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 20% to customer sites.
• Strong analytical and synthesis capabilities.
• On‑site role in Lake Forest, CA.

Additional Preferred Skills (not required)

• Experience with thermal modeling and analysis tools (e.g., SolidWorks Flow, Ansys Icepak).
• Experience in the design, certification, and deployment of semiconductor capital equipment.
• Prior experience formally leading or technically directing a program team.

Benefits Overview

• Global Bonus Program: Performance‑based bonuses paid twice yearly.
• 401(k) Plan: Pre‑tax retirement savings with company match.
• Medical, Dental & Vision: Multiple plan options including HMO, PPO, and HSA.
• Income Protection: Life, disability, and accident insurance at no cost.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and dependent care options.
• Employee Assistance Program: Free support for personal and work‑related issues.
• Flexible Time Off: Accrual starts at hire, increases with service.
• Paid Holidays: 13 company holidays annually.

All Locations

Lake Forest , California , United States

Field of Activity

Research & Development (Hardware Development)

Salary Range

120k-150k (dependent on experience)

EEO Statement

EEO Statement Advantest is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity in our employee population. It is the policy of Advantest to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or special disabled veteran, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. The Advantest Way - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging At Advantest, diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of who we are. We are continuing to build a culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging through our DE&I programs & initiatives. We strive to have a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace to enable us to attract and retain candidates that feel a sense of purpose and empowerment. Our commitment to DE&I is unwavering and we are steadfast in our mission to continuously foster an environment of respect, trust and transparency. We value diversity and inclusion and believe employees of all backgrounds contribute to our ongoing success. At Advantest, we celebrate and support the needs of our employees regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender (including gender expression and gender identity), sex and sexual orientation. DE&I at Advantest is more than words to us, they are the Advantest Way.