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Senior Thermal Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Who You'll Work With Arista seeks to add a Senior Thermal Engineer to address thermal engineering design challenges of high-end switching products in Santa Clara, California. This position reports to ...

Senior Thermal Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Thermal Engineer to lead the design, analyze, test, and implementation of satellite systems. You will work closely with the Turion Space team across software and hardware ...

The Senior Thermal Engineer will execute thermal-analysis activities for aerospace and defense systems under the guidance of senior thermal leads. This role focuses on developing thermal models ...

Senior Thermal Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$103K - $141K/yr

ABOUT THE JOB Anduril's Rocket Motor Systems group is seeking a Senior Thermal Engineer to join our team. The Rocket Motor Systems group designs, develops, and manufactures next-generation solid ...

Senior Thermal Engineer

$107K - $146K/yr

Position Overview We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Thermal Engineer to support the thermal performance and integrity of a cutting-edge space-based communications system. This role will focus on ...

Senior Thermal Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$118K - $163K/yr

Senior Thermal Engineer A bout Gravitics   At Gravitics, we're not exploring space--we're building it. We're creating the infrastructure for a thriving space economy, enabling ...

Senior Thermal Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$118K - $163K/yr

Senior Thermal Engineer A bout Gravitics At Gravitics, we're not exploring space-we're building it. We're creating the infrastructure for a thriving space economy, enabling humanity to flourish ...

Saratech seeks a Senior Thermal Engineer to lead thermal design, analysis, and testing efforts for advanced spacecraft hardware. This role spans thermal solutions from electronic components to full ...

Senior Thermal Engineer

Denver, CO

$107K - $147K/yr

Senior Thermal Engineer A bout Gravitics   At Gravitics, we're not exploring space--we're building it. We're creating the infrastructure for a thriving space economy, enabling ...

Saratech seeks a Senior Thermal Engineer to lead thermal design, analysis, and testing efforts for advanced spacecraft hardware. This role spans thermal solutions from electronic components to full ...

Senior Thermal Engineer

Pelzer, SC · On-site

$78K - $103K/yr

Serve as the Lead Mechanical Engineer (ME)- Senior Thermal Engineer to provide conceptual and detailed design of all thermal and ventilation systems including HVAC design, cable management systems ...

Senior Thermal Engineer

Lexington, MA · On-site

$117K - $161K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Thermal Engineer to join our rapidly growing team in Lexington, MA. In this role, you will be responsible for performing thermal analysis and taking ownership of thermal ...

PhD in Thermal/Mechanical Engineering (or closely related field). * Strong expertise in heat transfer, fluid dynamics, thermal system design . * Proven experience developing liquid cooling systems ...

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Senior Thermal Engineer information

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$59.5K

$126.6K

$183.5K

How much do senior thermal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior thermal engineer in the United States is $126,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,500.00 and $143,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Senior Thermal Engineer do?

A Senior Thermal Engineer is responsible for designing, analyzing, and optimizing thermal management systems in products or processes. They use advanced simulation tools and engineering principles to ensure components operate within safe temperature ranges, often in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics. Their role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to solve complex heat transfer challenges, improve energy efficiency, and support product development from concept to production. Additionally, they may mentor junior engineers and contribute to research and development efforts.

What is the difference between Senior Thermal Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectSenior Thermal EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical, Mechanical Engineering, or Thermodynamics; certifications like ASME or HVAC licensesBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering; similar certifications often applicable
Work EnvironmentDesigning thermal systems, heat transfer analysis, HVAC, aerospace, or energy sectorsDesign, analysis, manufacturing, and testing across various industries including automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, energy companies, HVAC providers, aerospaceManufacturers, consulting firms, product design companies, industrial sectors

While both roles require a background in mechanical engineering, Senior Thermal Engineers specialize in heat transfer, thermal system design, and energy efficiency, often within specialized sectors like aerospace or energy. Mechanical Engineers have broader responsibilities across various mechanical systems. The roles overlap in credentials and work environments but differ in focus and expertise.

What are the typical challenges a Senior Thermal Engineer faces when collaborating with cross-functional teams on new product development?

Senior Thermal Engineers often work closely with mechanical, electrical, and design teams to ensure thermal management solutions align with overall product requirements. A common challenge is balancing thermal performance with constraints such as size, weight, cost, and manufacturability. Effective communication and early involvement in the design process are key to addressing potential issues before they become costly or difficult to resolve. Additionally, integrating feedback from testing and simulations into collaborative workflows is essential for optimizing solutions and meeting project deadlines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Thermal Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Thermal Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or aerospace engineering, advanced knowledge of thermodynamics and heat transfer, and several years of relevant experience. Proficiency in simulation tools like ANSYS, FloTHERM, and CAD software, as well as familiarity with relevant industry standards, is typically required. Strong problem-solving, project management, and communication skills help you excel in cross-functional teams and complex projects. These competencies are critical for designing effective thermal solutions, ensuring system reliability, and driving innovation in high-performance environments.
More about Senior Thermal Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Thermal Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Thermal Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Thermal Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Thermal Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Thermal Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Thermal Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Senior Thermal Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Thermal Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Senior Thermal Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,557 per year, or $60.8 per hour.
Senior Thermal Engineer

Senior Thermal Engineer

Arista Networks

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

Company Description

Arista Networks is an industry leader in data-driven, client-to-cloud networking for large data center, campus and routing environments. What sets us apart is our relentless pursuit of innovation. We leverage the latest advancements in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and software-defined networking to provide our clients with a competitive edge in an increasingly interconnected world. Our solutions are designed to not only meet the current demands of the digital landscape but to also anticipate and adapt to future challenges.

At Arista we value the diversity of thought and perspectives that each employee brings to the table. We  believe that fostering an inclusive environment, where individuals from various backgrounds and experiences feel welcome, is essential for driving creativity and innovation.

Our commitment to excellence has earned us several prestigious awards, such as Best Engineering Team, Best Company for Diversity, Compensation, and Work-Life Balance. At Arista, we take pride in our track record of success and strive to maintain the highest standards of quality and performance in everything we do.

Job Description

Who You’ll Work With

Arista seeks to add a Senior Thermal Engineer to address thermal engineering design challenges of high-end switching products in Santa Clara, California.  This position reports to the Mechanical Engineering Manager.  

The total estimated annual compensation range for this position, inclusive of base salary, bonus, and equity, is $300,000 to $655,000. This range is a good faith estimate only. Bonus and equity are discretionary, subject to plan terms, and are not guaranteed components of total compensation. Actual total annual compensation may vary based on employee performance, company or equity performance, company policy, board approval, or similar factors. Please see additional base salary information below.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will work closely with the Electrical design and hardware validation teams to ensure fulfillment of overall system requirements.  As the Senior Thermal Engineer you will be responsible for addressing all thermal design related issues on different projects and shape thermal strategy for future products.

  • Develop thermal cooling strategies for next-generation, high-performance switching products.
  • Work independently to perform complete thermal analysis and design using Icepak.
  • Support thermal analysis requests from hardware team, product management team and other cross functional teams with either spreadsheet calculations or detailed simulation results.
  • Capable of conducting different engineering experimental tests to verify design (e.g., components, system level, etc.) and correlate with computational results.
Qualifications
  • MS Degree in Mechanical Engineering - Ph.D. preferred. 
  • Minimum of 5 years of direct professional experience in thermal design and analysis of electronic appliances using Icepak, FloTHERM, SmartCFD, etc.
  • Experience with high power (>800W) SoC liquid cooling thermal models and system-level analysis.
  • Experience in cold plate liquid cooling design and analysis, open loop or closed loop liquid cooling, CDU at rack level or facility level design and analysis.
  • Experience in numerical modeling based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) (convergence, discretization, meshing).
  • Knowledge and familiarity with electronic cooling and challenges of systems within data center environments.
  • Knowledge of heat transfer modes; conduction, convection (passive and active), and radiation.
  • Thorough understanding of heat sink type/design, heat pipes, vapor chambers, fans, blowers, pumps, thermal interface material. Experience in vendor selection.
  • Flow and thermal measurement techniques, mechanical (thermal and structural) validation and qualification tests including, Environmental Test (ETE), etc.
  • Knowledge of thermal airflow testing, fans, pumps, liquid loop cold plate testing, and augmentation to system thermal simulation models.
  • Experience using ProEngineer (PTC Creo) a plus.
  • Good verbal and written communication skills.

Compensation Information:

The new hire base pay for this role has a pay range of $180,000 to $275,000. Arista offers different pay ranges based on work location, so that we can offer consistent and competitive pay appropriate to the market. The actual base pay offered will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, relevant experience, and work location. The salary range provided reflects base pay only. As described above, this position may also be eligible for discretionary Arista bonuses and equity. US- based employees are also entitled to benefits including medical, dental, vision, wellbeing, tax savings and income protection. The recruiting team can share more details during the hiring process specific to the role and location.

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Additional Information

Arista Networks is an equal opportunity employer.  Arista makes all hiring and employment-related decisions in a non-discriminatory manner without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or any other factor determined to be unlawful under applicable federal, state, or law law.  All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.