Thermal/Mechanical Engineer, NPI Technical Readiness

Meta; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 173,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Meta is seeking an experienced thermal engineer to oversee thermal architecture alignment and NPI readiness across hyperscaler data center environments. The role partners with hardware and data center teams to establish thermal management for novel compute architectures, bespoke ASICs, and high-density rack deployments, driving global facilities.

This position requires collaborating with Data Center Operations, ODM/OEM vendors, and cross-functional teams to deliver harmonized roadmaps, ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in engineering with thermal/mechanical focus.
• 8+ years in development engineering, system validation, or data center operations for AI/ML compute or hyperscaler environments.
• Strong cross-functional influence and communication skills.
• Hands-on design, modeling and validation of rack-level cooling solutions.
• Experience in producing production-ready processes and transitioning to production.
• Experience with global/remote teams and hardware integration in data centers.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture reviews and define interfaces for mass production in data centers.
• Deliver technical readiness assessments focusing on thermal, mechanical, and hardware compatibility.
• Perform airflow and liquid flow analysis; guide system control for reliability.
• Define requirements and coordinate NUDD equipment for deployment.
• Collaborate on roadmaps and milestones with cross-functional teams and partners.
• Coordinate with Data Center Operations for deployment readiness.
• Work with ODM/OEM vendors on specifications and integration strategies.
• Capture lessons learned and create test cases for future platforms.
• Travel up to 25% domestically and internationally.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Thermal engineering

Mechanical design

System modeling

Education

Bachelor of Science in engineering (thermal/mechanical)

Tools

CFD/thermal tools

Data center cooling systems

Job description

Meta is looking for an experienced thermal engineer to oversee thermal architecture alignment and new product introduction (NPI) initiatives across hyperscaler data center environments. The candidate will partner with cross-functional hardware and data center engineering teams to establish thermal management approaches for novel compute architectures, bespoke ASICs, and high-density rack deployments driving Meta's global facilities. Additionally, this position requires liaising with data center operations to verify deployment readiness and furnish comprehensive technical support.

Thermal/Mechanical Engineer, NPI Technical Readiness Responsibilities:

• Conduct architecture reviews with hardware engineering teams to analyze and develop an efficient interface and deployment strategy for mass production within the data center environment
• Direct product reviews and deliver the technical readiness assessment for deployment alignment, with a specific focus on thermal, mechanical, spatial, and hardware compatibility
• Perform airflow and liquid flow demand vs. capacity analysis, identifying the design margin and provide guidance on system control for efficient and reliable operation
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define the requirements and deliver the necessary NUDD equipment to support the deployment
• Partner with cross-functional teams and development partners to deliver harmonized new hardware platform roadmaps and secure an agreement on implementation milestones
• Liaise with cross-functional partners in Meta’s Data Center Operations team to ascertain infrastructure deployment and operational requirements
• Work with ODM/OEM vendors as necessary to define product specifications, development plans, and the integration strategy within the data center
• Capture lessons learned from production issues and create corresponding test cases to address these issues in subsequent hardware platforms
• Domestic and/or international travel, up to 25%, is required

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, in thermal, mechanical, or equivalent technical experience is required
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in development engineering, system validation testing or data center operation of AI/ML computer, networking equipment, and/or hyperscaler data center environments is mandatory
• Possession of robust communication skills and a demonstrated capacity to influence cross-functional teams is essential
• Domain knowledge in thermal engineering and/or mechanical engineering with hands‑on experience with designing, modeling, and validation of rack‑level or data center cooling solutions
• A proven history of navigating ambiguity and establishing processes for novel technologies, and successfully transitioning them into production, is required
• Technical aptitude, evidenced by familiarity with ASIC, compute, storage, and network architecture and components, hardware troubleshooting and diagnosis capabilities, and/or hardware manufacturing processes
• Experience operating within a global environment, including collaboration with remote teams, is required
• Demonstrated experience with operational validation methodologies and verification activities pertinent to new product integration is expected
• The ability to cultivate effective cross‑functional relationships and influence policies and procedures to enhance the integration of hardware platforms into the data center
• The capacity to mentor team members in evaluating and identifying improved methods for issue resolution and defining updates to tools and processes is expected

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with the airflow or liquid flow CFDs such as 6Sigma, Icepak or Fluent
• Expertise in AI/ML product integration and deployment in the data center at scale
• Proven experience in developing for, or managing, large‑scale server installations
• Experience in utilizing AI‑driven tools for workflow development
• Demonstrated experience with hardware development and/or data center design
• Master’s or PhD in Electrical, Mechanical, Thermal Engineering

About Meta:

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affhinnative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at [e-mail].

$173,000/year to $245,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.