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Vehicle Thermal Systems Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AMSC is seeking a Cryogenic & Thermal Systems Engineer to support the design, analysis, integration, and testing of superconducting and cryogenic systems. This role will focus on thermal and ...

Assisting with tracking tasks for the Thermal team * Creating Jira task tickets by direction of the Systems Engineering and Integration team * Coordinating with discipline experts and leads on the ...

Thermal Engineer (Mid)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$125K - $155K/yr

As more launch vehicles come online and the cost to orbit decreases, more companies launching ... Collaborate with subsystem engineers to design and optimize thermal control systems for avionics ...

Assisting with tracking tasks for the Thermal team * Creating Jira task tickets by direction of the Systems Engineering and Integration team * Coordinating with discipline experts and leads on the ...

Assisting with tracking tasks for the Thermal team * Creating Jira task tickets by direction of the Systems Engineering and Integration team * Coordinating with discipline experts and leads on the ...

Assisting with tracking tasks for the Thermal team * Creating Jira task tickets by direction of the Systems Engineering and Integration team * Coordinating with discipline experts and leads on the ...

Senior Thermal Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$109K - $150K/yr

Support vehicle and engine thermal system development and stage testing as well as flight ... Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field * 5+ years experience in thermal analysis

Assisting with tracking tasks for the Thermal team * Creating Jira task tickets by direction of the Systems Engineering and Integration team * Coordinating with discipline experts and leads on the ...

Assisting with tracking tasks for the Thermal team * Creating Jira task tickets by direction of the Systems Engineering and Integration team * Coordinating with discipline experts and leads on the ...

Showing results 41-60

Vehicle Thermal Systems Engineer information

See salary details

$43.5K

$104.5K

$167.5K

How much do vehicle thermal systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for vehicle thermal systems engineer in the United States is $104,528.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $129,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a vehicle thermal systems engineer do?

A Vehicle Thermal Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing the systems that manage temperature within vehicles, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and cooling systems for engines and batteries. They ensure that these systems operate efficiently to maintain passenger comfort and protect vehicle components from overheating or freezing. Their work involves collaborating with other engineering teams, using simulation tools, and optimizing thermal management for both conventional and electric vehicles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a vehicle thermal systems engineer?

To excel as a Vehicle Thermal Systems Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or automotive engineering, with expertise in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with simulation software like ANSYS or GT-SUITE, as well as experience with CAD tools and thermal testing equipment, is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and addressing complex thermal challenges. These skills ensure optimal vehicle performance, energy efficiency, and compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

What are some typical challenges faced by vehicle thermal systems engineers when integrating new vehicle models?

Vehicle Thermal Systems Engineers often encounter challenges such as packaging constraints within tighter engine compartments, balancing performance with energy efficiency, and meeting stringent regulatory requirements for emissions and safety. Integrating new technologies, like electric drive systems or advanced HVAC, requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams including design, electrical, and manufacturing. Successfully addressing these challenges involves innovative problem-solving, effective communication, and staying updated on the latest industry standards and technologies.

What is the difference between Vehicle Thermal Systems Engineer vs Powertrain Engineer?

AspectVehicle Thermal Systems EngineerPowertrain Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and optimizing thermal management systems for vehicle componentsDeveloping powertrain components like engines and transmissions
Required SkillsThermal analysis, fluid dynamics, HVAC systemsEngine performance, combustion, drivetrain systems
Work EnvironmentAutomotive R&D, testing labs, simulationEngine testing, vehicle integration, simulation
Industry UsageAutomotive manufacturers, suppliers, EV companiesAutomotive, heavy machinery, aerospace

Vehicle Thermal Systems Engineers focus on managing heat within vehicles, ensuring efficient cooling and heating systems. Powertrain Engineers concentrate on engine and transmission development. While both roles require engineering credentials and work in automotive environments, their core responsibilities differ significantly, making each specialized in distinct vehicle systems.

What are popular job titles related to Vehicle Thermal Systems Engineer jobs?

For Vehicle Thermal Systems Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Vehicle Thermal Systems Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,528 per year, or $50.3 per hour.

Thermal Systems Engineer, Integration

Long Beach, CA • On-site

Ford Motor Company
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

$175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


Ford Motor Company rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 529 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

We made history and now we work to transform the future - for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles.

Come build what matters. Ford's Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the company's vision of a fully electric transportation future. EVDD is customer-obsessed, entrepreneurial, and data-driven and is dedicated to delivering industry-leading customer experience for electric vehicle buyers and owners.

You'll join an agile team of doers pioneering our EV future by working collaboratively, staying focused on only what matters, and delivering excellence day in and day out. Join us to make positive change by helping build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. In this position..

Join our dynamic and agile team pioneering Ford's EV future. As the Integrated Thermal Systems Engineer, you will be the hands-on technical integrator for the complete thermal management system - the person who takes the architecture and requirements and makes them real across the coolant, refrigeration, and climate/HVAC subsystems. You will work day-to-day with the three subsystem owners to resolve interfaces, integrate their models, run the system-level trade studies, and turn analysis into clear recommendations that drive decisions.

What you'll do... You will execute and deliver the integrated thermal system under the technical direction of the Thermal Engineering Manager. Execute and maintain the thermal system architecture, keeping the system block diagrams and interface definitions current as the design evolves

Work with subsystem owners to decompose vehicle and system level requirements into consistent, traceable subsystem interface requirements, and maintain traceability from vehicle targets through to each subsystem owner's component specifications. Integrate the individual subsystem plant models (coolant, refrigeration, climate) into a cohesive system-level model, and use it to analyze energy flows, dynamic behavior, and mode transitions across the full operating envelope. Perform system-level trade-off studies and present decision-ready recommendations to Thermal Engineering manager for review.

Work day-to-day with the coolant, refrigeration, and climate subsystem owners to ensure their component specifications, selections, and models align at the interfaces and integrate cleanly into the system. Own the resolution of cross-subsystem hardware issues. Triage where a problem lives, coordinate with the responsible subsystem owner, and drive the fix to closure.

Collaborate with test engineers to define and execute system-level characterization and validation, correlating the integrated model against empirical data and retiring system risk. Support Thermal management in design reviews, requirements reviews, and technical readouts by preparing the integrated analysis, data, and options that inform architecture and trade-off decisions. Interface with Design and Controls Engineers to ensure the integrated system packages correctly and that the system model meets the needs of algorithm development.

You'll have... Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related thermal/fluid sciences discipline or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. 5+ years of experience in thermal system design, integration, or component engineering, with hands-on exposure to more than one thermal subsystem (coolant, refrigeration, and/or climate)

Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics across both liquid-cooling and vapor-compression domains. Experience with physical system modeling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, GT-SUITE, etc.). Proficiency in Python or similar programming languages for model development

Demonstrated ability to coordinate across multiple engineering teams and keep several parallel workstreams moving to closure. Even better, you may have... Master's or Ph.D

in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline. Experience with EV thermal management systems, including integrated cabin-and-powertrain architectures and heat-pump systems. Familiarity with vehicle communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Automotive Ethernet).

Experience with 3D CAD (CATIA/NX/3DX) sufficient to reason about packaging and topology at the system level. Strong collaborative skills to work across hardware and software teams in a fast-paced EV development environment. You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply.

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home. Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills.

Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above. No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including: Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases Tuition assistance Established and active employee resource groups Paid time off for individual and team community service A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time. This position is a salary grade 6-8 and ranges from $100,400-$232,700

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value. For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR Visa sponsorship is available for this position. Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status.

In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660. This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.

#LI-Hybrid #LI-JD2 #UEV


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