Senior Staff/Principal Thermal Engineer

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Staff / Principal Thermal Engineer to lead the development of advanced thermal test solutions for next-generation semiconductor devices, particularly in AI, HPC, and high-performance computing applications. This role will drive thermal innovation from concept through production, working closely with customers, engineering teams, and manufacturing partners to deliver robust and scalable test solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Thermal Solution Development

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of advanced thermal test solutions for semiconductor devices across various test insertions and end markets.
• Develop innovative thermal architectures to address emerging AI, HPC, and high-power device testing challenges.
• Conduct thermal modeling, simulation, and validation to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

Product Development & Validation

• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, operations, and quality teams to ensure comprehensive test coverage, performance, and manufacturability.
• Support product validation, characterization, qualification, and reliability testing activities.
• Analyze and interpret test data to drive continuous improvements in test methodologies, product performance, and yield.

Customer & Industry Engagement

• Partner directly with customers, OSATs, fabless companies, and IDMs to understand thermal testing requirements and optimize test solutions.
• Provide technical leadership during customer engagements, product evaluations, and deployment phases.
• Support business development activities by contributing technical expertise and solution recommendations.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Serve as a technical expert and mentor to engineering teams.
• Lead cross-functional problem-solving initiatives involving design, manufacturing, engineering, and operations teams.
• Drive best practices in thermal engineering, test development, and technology innovation.

Manufacturing & Production Support

• Interface with internal operations and manufacturing teams to ensure smooth transfer from development to production.
• Support high-volume manufacturing implementation and scalability of thermal test platforms.
• Drive process improvements to enhance product quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

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Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Experience

• Minimum 15 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, with significant experience in thermal test solution development.
• Proven track record in advanced thermal engineering for semiconductor testing, particularly in high-performance and high-power applications.
• Experience working with customers, OSATs, fabless semiconductor companies, and IDMs.

Technical Expertise

• Strong understanding of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics, semiconductor device physics and thermal behavior, thermal challenges associated with AI, HPC, and advanced packaging technologies
• Hands-on experience with semiconductor test platforms and test development processes.
• Proficiency in thermal simulation and analysis tools such as solidWorks, FloTHERM / FloEFD (or equivalent thermal simulation software), MATLAB / Simulink, JMP or similar statistical and data analysis tools
• Experience with thermal modeling, simulation, characterization, and validation methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with AEM's PiXL™ thermal platform or comparable advanced thermal management technologies.
• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI), manufacturing transfer, and high-volume production environments.
• Knowledge of advanced packaging technologies, power delivery challenges, and semiconductor reliability testing.
• Strong project leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.

Key Competencies

• Strategic and innovative thinker with strong technical depth.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and presentation abilities.Able to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, and customer-focused environment.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive technical excellence.