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Entry Level Thermal Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

... thermal, vibrational, structural, kinematic) Required Experience * 3 years designing and building ... Formal training in precision engineering * Experience at an early-stage startup * Familiarity with ...

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Entry Level Thermal Engineer information

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$29.7K

$68.8K

$117K

How much do entry level thermal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level thermal engineer in Austin, TX is $68,752.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,000.00 and $77,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level thermal engineer?

An Entry Level Thermal Engineer is responsible for assisting in the design, analysis, and testing of thermal management systems for various applications, such as electronics, aerospace, or automotive industries. They work with senior engineers to assess heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and insulation strategies to ensure efficient thermal performance. Their tasks may include running simulations, conducting experiments, and preparing reports to support product development. Strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and computational tools are essential for this role.

What types of projects or tasks can an entry level thermal engineer expect to work on during their first year?

In your first year as an Entry Level Thermal Engineer, you can expect to assist with thermal analyses, run simulations, and support the design and testing of systems related to heat transfer and energy efficiency. Typical tasks may include data collection from experiments, preparing reports, and helping senior engineers with troubleshooting and optimization. You'll also likely collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical and electrical engineers, to integrate thermal solutions into larger projects. These experiences build your technical expertise and problem-solving skills, setting the foundation for career advancement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the entry level thermal engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Thermal Engineer, you need a solid grounding in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics, usually supported by a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or chemical engineering. Familiarity with computational tools like ANSYS, MATLAB, or SolidWorks, as well as basic knowledge of thermal simulation software, is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly help set candidates apart. These competencies enable effective analysis, collaboration, and design of thermal systems in real-world engineering environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Thermal Engineer jobs in Austin, TX?

The most popular types of Thermal Engineer jobs in Austin, TX are:

What cities near Austin, TX are hiring for Entry Level Thermal Engineer jobs?

Cities near Austin, TX with the most Entry Level Thermal Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Thermal Engineer job openings in Austin, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,752 per year, or $33.1 per hour.

Mechanical Engineer, Precision Systems

Visa Hunt

Austin, TX • On-site

$105 - $200/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

About fab2

The fab2 team can build anything. We design all the hardware and software needed to make chips and we make the fabs, tools, and components ourselves.

We're looking for exceptional, hands-on people who can iterate to the limits of what's possible.

fab2 was founded by Sam Zeloof and Jim Keller. Sam is best known for making chips in his garage, and Jim has been a leader in the semiconductor industry for the past 40 years.

About the team

The Precision Team operates on the nanometer scale. We make lithography, metrology and motion systems that pattern, inspect and characterize our chips in order to push our process to lower nodes.

About the role

We are seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Mechanical Engineer to join our team. You will be responsible for designing, prototyping, and building the mechanical systems in our semiconductor fabrication equipment, from stages and frames up to complete systems.

This role is for someone who has internalized precision machine design as a discipline and has a proven track record of rapidly prototyping complex precision systems and advancing them to the next stage of production. Our philosophy is to get things built and tested in days or weeks, not months. Because of this, a portfolio is generally required to apply: show us the things you’ve actually built!

Responsibilities
  • Design and iterate on precision machines, motion stages, structural loops, metrology frames, opto-mechanical mounts, test fixtures, and inspection tooling targeting sub-micron to nanometer performance
  • Lead mechanical system integration, alignment procedures, and cross-team coordination with electrical, controls, and optics engineers
  • Drive mechanical design of frames, stages, and assemblies with GD&T, tolerance analysis, and a practical eye toward manufacturability and assembly
  • Rapidly prototype, build and characterize new designs on the bench using a variety of tools and characterization equipment
  • Select and integrate precision components: bearings, encoders, interferometers, actuators, isolators, and dampers
  • Develop error budgets and tolerance stack-ups; identify and mitigate dominant error sources (thermal, vibrational, structural, kinematic)
Required Experience
  • 3 years designing and building precision mechanical systems that had to hit real accuracy and repeatability targets
  • Working fluency in precision machine design fundamentals: exact-constraint design, kinematic couplings, flexures, error budgeting, structural loops, tolerance analysis
  • Hands-on prototyping, fabrication, assembly, and alignment experience — you're comfortable on a mill, on a granite surface plate, and behind an interferometer
  • Experience selecting and integrating precision components (bearings, stages, encoders, isolators, actuators)
  • Experience with dimensional metrology: interferometry, LVDTs, capacitance probes, autocollimators, and CMMs
Nice-to-have
  • Formal training in precision engineering
  • Experience at an early-stage startup
  • Familiarity with firmware, controls, or electrical engineering
  • Opto-mechanical design and alignment experience
Working at fab2

We’re an early-stage hardware startup with solid funding, world-class advisors, and offices in Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA.

Compensation

fab2 is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. We're hiring this role from mid-level through staff. The annual salary range for this role is $105,000 - $200,000. Compensation is determined based on your qualifications and experience. Our total compensation package also includes generous equity in fab2.

Benefits
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Generous Paid Time Off inclusive of Holidays and Sick Time
  • Visa Sponsorship
  • Life and Disability Insurance
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Weekly Learning & Development opportunities
  • Commuter Benefits including Parking and Late Night Uber rides from the office
  • Lunches daily, Dinners 3x per week, Stocked Office Kitchen with Snacks and Spindrifts

We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability or other legally protected statuses.

Export Control Analysis

This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.

fab2, formerly known as Atomic Semi

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