Mechanical & Thermal Engineer
Engineers in this role design and optimize mechanical systems, thermal management solutions, and structural components for AI hardware infrastructure and advanced autonomous systems. They work hands-on across the full product lifecycle—from concept and CAD modeling through testing and production—solving complex engineering challenges like cooling strategies for high-density compute clusters, structural integrity under extreme operating conditions, and integration of electronics into ruggedized platforms. These roles typically sit within specialized engineering teams at AI and defense-focused companies, collaborating closely with thermal, electrical, and systems engineers to deliver mission-critical hardware that meets demanding performance and reliability standards.
Measured across 134 of 142 open postings.
This role is advertised at 4 levels, so a single figure for the role would describe none of them. Experience and pay are the midpoints for each level on its own.
| Level | Share | Median years | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | 7%(10) | — | — |
| Mid | 25%(34) | 2 | $132k |
| Senior | 24%(32) | 6 | $178k |
| Staff / Principal | 35%(47) | 8 | $215k |
A dash means too few postings stated it to report a midpoint. Most companies do not publish a salary band, so pay is indicative rather than a market rate. 3 levels with fewer than 10 open postings are not shown.
“Experience using python or other programming languages for data review and analysis”
Requirements are a share of every open posting, so a role missing from this list is one where almost nobody asks. Work mode is different: many postings never say, so that figure counts only the ones that do. A posting stops being advertised when it is filled, cancelled or reorganised, so read the last figure as how long these stay on the market, not as time to hire.
Skills
What companies are looking for in this role.
Thermal and structural analysis
Design for manufacturability
Mechanical design and CAD
Hardware and embedded systems
Hardware test and validation
Rapid prototyping and fabrication
Critical facility operations
Functional safety engineering
Reliability and failure analysis
Manufacturing process engineering
Supplier and vendor management
New product introduction and ramp
High-density AI infrastructure delivery
Cross-functional collaboration
Technical documentation
Mentoring and code review
Ownership in ambiguity
Technology
The tools and technologies that define this role.
Open Jobs
142 open Mechanical & Thermal Engineer jobs across 21 companies.
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