Thermal Design Engineer 3

Intuitive; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive is seeking a Thermal Design Engineer for the Da Vinci Vision Hardware R&D team in Sunnyvale, CA. You will own thermal architecture, performance, reliability, and compliance across endoscope, illumination, and computing products.

Responsibilities include developing airflow, heat sinks, vapor chambers, TIMs, and active cooling; creating CFD/FEA models and correlating with lab tests; coordinating with mechanical, optical, electrical, and software teams to ensure robust thermal margins

Responsibilities

• Own thermal design, analysis, testing, performance, and compliance across vision hardware products and systems.
• Develop thermal solutions including airflow management, heat sinks, heat pipes, vapor chambers, TIMs, and active cooling systems.
• Create analytical, CFD, and FEA thermal models and correlate results with laboratory testing.
• Plan and execute thermal characterization, validation, accelerated life testing, and model correlation activities.
• Define thermal limits, derating strategies, and protection approaches with electrical and software teams.
• Specify and qualify thermal components and collaborate with suppliers.
• Leverage external engineering resources and contractors as needed to supplement internal capacity.
• Create and review CAD designs, drawings, assemblies, tolerances, and related documentation.
• Partner closely with mechanical, optical, electrical, systems, software, and manufacturing teams.
• Support DFM/DFA activities to ensure successful transfer from development to production.

Skills

Thermal analysis

CFD/FEA

Heat transfer

CAD modeling

Cross-functional

Tools

CFD software

FEA software

Job description

Job Description

Primary Function of Position:

We are seeking a Thermal Design Engineer to join the Da Vinci Vision Hardware R&D team and partner in the architecture, development, verification, and transfer of next-generation vision systems from concept through launch.

This role will serve as the thermal engineering owner and subject matter expert for endoscope, illumination, and computing products, with accountability for thermal architecture, performance, reliability, testing, and compliance. The successful candidate will ensure products are thermally robust, meet all applicable requirements, and maintain sufficient operating margin throughout their lifecycle.

In addition to thermal leadership, this individual will contribute to broader mechanical and opto-mechanical design efforts as program needs require.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Own thermal design, analysis, testing, performance, and compliance across vision hardware products and systems.
• Develop thermal solutions including airflow management, heat sinks, heat pipes, vapor chambers, TIMs, and active cooling systems.
• Create analytical, CFD, and FEA thermal models and correlate results with laboratory testing.
• Plan and execute thermal characterization, validation, accelerated life testing, and model correlation activities.
• Define thermal limits, derating strategies, and protection approaches with electrical and software teams.
• Specify and qualify thermal components and collaborate with suppliers.
• Leverage and manage external engineering resources and contractors as needed to supplement internal capacity.
• Create and review CAD designs, drawings, assemblies, tolerances, and related documentation.
• Partner closely with mechanical, optical, electrical, systems, software, and manufacturing teams.
• Support DFM/DFA activities to ensure successful transfer from development to production.