Thermal Test Engineer (Energy Hardware)

TL;DR

Thermal Test Engineer (Energy Hardware): Designing and operating test infrastructure to validate thermal systems for grid-tied converters with an accent on thermal and fluids testing, test stand architecture, and automated data workflows. Focus on executing physical tests, developing automated test equipment, and driving root cause failure analysis to ensure system reliability and safety.

Location: On-site in Scotts Valley, USA

Salary: $120,000 – $189,000 per year

Company

Startup building cutting-edge power electronics to de-bottleneck electricity generation and consumption for the 21st-century grid.

What you will do

• Execute thermal and fluids testing from component-level characterization to full thermal-system validation.
• Develop test plans and Design-of-Experiments (DoE) in partnership with thermal analysis and mechanical design teams.
• Design and build test rigs and fixtures, integrating DAQs, sensors, and necessary plumbing systems.
• Automate test execution, data logging, and post-processing using scripting to enable fast iteration loops.
• Drive root cause and failure analysis to isolate failure mechanisms and validate corrective actions with design engineering.

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field with a background in thermodynamics or fluids engineering.
• Over 2 years of industry or research experience in a lab environment with proven hands-on experience in developing test fixtures.
• Sound fundamental understanding of flow physics, hydraulics, and heat transfer.
• Proficiency in scripting with Python or Matlab and experience using source control (Github/Bitbucket).
• Experience using various DAQs and equipment such as thermocouples, flow sensors, and pressure sensors.
• Must be based in or able to work on-site in Scotts Valley.

Nice to have

• Experience with simulation and modeling (CFD, fluid network analysis, thermal/RC).
• Knowledge of reliability and statistical analysis.
• Experience with power electronics, high voltage testing, or shipping products for UL certification.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative, enriching environment focused on personal, technical, and career growth.
• Dynamic workplace driven by first principles engineering and a strong bias toward hands-on execution.
• Competitive compensation package including salary and equity.
• Opportunity to build technical capabilities from scratch in a high-impact hardware startup.