Lead Thermal Management Engineer

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 800,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Annual leave

Career development

Lab facilities for thermal testing

Wellness programs

Performance bonuses

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Thermal Management Engineer in Cape Town. You will design, analyze, and validate thermal solutions for next‑gen electronic products, leading a team and collaborating across disciplines in a hybrid work model.

The role requires deep heat transfer knowledge, CFD proficiency, and hands‑on thermal testing. You will mentor engineers and contribute to product development with a focus on reliability and performance.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with heat transfer specialization.
• 8+ years of experience in thermal management of electronic systems.
• Proven expertise with CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Icepak, FloTHERM).
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive thermal management strategies from concept to production.
• Perform detailed thermal analysis to predict temperature distributions and cooling performance.
• Design and optimize cooling solutions: heat sinks, fans, heat pipes, liquid cooling.
• Lead and mentor junior engineers and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Validate thermal designs with testing and correlation to simulations.
• Prepare detailed thermal reports and present findings to stakeholders.

Skills

Thermal management

CFD

Heat transfer

Thermal testing

Leadership

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Eng (heat transfer)

PhD in related field (preferred)

Tools

ANSYS Icepak

FloTHERM

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in high-performance computing hardware, is seeking an experienced Lead Thermal Management Engineer to join their innovative team based in Cape Town . This role offers a hybrid work model, combining the flexibility of remote work with the benefits of in-office collaboration. You will be instrumental in designing, analyzing, and validating thermal solutions for a range of next-generation electronic products. This position demands a deep understanding of heat transfer principles, advanced simulation techniques, and hands-on experience with thermal testing. The successful candidate will lead thermal design efforts, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal thermal performance and reliability of our client's cutting-edge products. Join a company that values innovation and provides a challenging yet rewarding work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive thermal management strategies for new electronic products, from concept to mass production.
• Conduct detailed thermal analysis using CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Icepak, FloTHERM) to predict temperature distributions, airflow, and heat dissipation.
• Design and optimize cooling solutions, including heat sinks, fans, heat pipes, and liquid cooling systems.
• Perform component-level and system-level thermal testing, validation, and correlation with simulation results.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and product design teams to define thermal requirements and ensure design compliance.
• Specify thermal interface materials (TIMs) and evaluate their performance.
• Generate detailed thermal design reports, present findings, and provide recommendations to project stakeholders.
• Stay current with emerging thermal technologies and industry best practices.
• Lead and mentor junior thermal engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with a specialization in heat transfer.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in thermal management of electronic systems.
• Proven expertise in thermal simulation software (CFD) and experience with thermal measurement equipment.
• Strong understanding of heat transfer phenomena, including conduction, convection, and radiation.
• Familiarity with various cooling technologies and their application in electronic devices.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and presentation abilities, with experience presenting technical information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing remote and on-site collaboration.
• Experience with product development cycles and managing thermal aspects within them.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of ZAR.
• Comprehensive medical aid and provident fund.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
• Access to state-of-the‑art laboratory facilities for thermal testing.
• Employee wellness programs and initiatives.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses.
• A collaborative and forward-thinking work environment.