Principal Thermal System Engineer

We are seeking a highly skilled and driven professional to lead the technical development and manufacturing setup of vapor chamber technologies. This role will be responsible for overseeing the end-to-end process—from concept development and prototyping to full-scale production—ensuring performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of vapor chamber solutions for high-performance thermal management applications. You will also be a thought leader in setting the strategic direction of our thermal portfolio.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish key industry/customer relationships to grow common & unique thermal solutions for key applications like AI/datacenter, Auto, etc.
• Participate and lead in appropriate standards committees and industry consortia to promote Qnity`s Laird products as leaders in thermal applications by presenting thought leadership papers, developing new industry thermal solutions and authoring patents/trade secrets.
• Collaborate with R&D teams to optimize thermal performance and mechanical integrity.
• Lead the design, simulation, and validation of vapor chamber structures and materials.
• Define and implement manufacturing processes for vapor chamber production, including tooling, automation, and quality control.
• Establish pilot lines and scale-up strategies for mass production internally and through manufacturing partners.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance yield, throughput, and cost efficiency.
• Manage cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, and supply chain.
• Develop project timelines, budgets, and risk mitigation plans.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and customer requirements.
• Identify and qualify suppliers for raw materials and manufacturing equipment.
• Negotiate contracts and manage supplier performance.
• Define testing protocols and reliability standards for vapor chamber products.
• Develop failure analysis and corrective action processes

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in thermal management technologies, preferably vapor chambers or heat pipes.
• 3-5 years experience with component level or subsystem level design experience
• Proven track record in setting up and scaling manufacturing operations.
• Strong knowledge of thermal simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, COMSOL).
• Experience with cleanroom environments, vacuum brazing, sintering, and precision assembly.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Experience in consumer electronics, data centers, or automotive thermal systems.
• Familiarity with Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and ISO standards.
• Multilingual capabilities for global supplier engagement.

#LI-RS1