Staff Thermal Engineer

CHAOS Industries
El Segundo, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have hands-on experience with electronics thermal analysis and a background in high-reliability systems.

Best fit for

  • Individuals with a strong grasp of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary team
    — “Strong working knowledge of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics”
  • Candidates with experience in liquid-cooled coldplates and heat exchangers who are comfortable with detailed modeling and testing
    — “Experience analyzing liquid-cooled coldplates and heat exchangers”
  • Professionals who can translate complex thermal models into actionable design guidance for electrical and mechanical teams
    — “Provide practical thermal design guidance to electrical and mechanical designers”

Things to consider

  • On-site presence is required in El Segundo, CA, with no indication of remote flexibility
    — “This is a full-time, on-site position in El Segundo, CA.”
  • Candidates must be eligible for and able to maintain a U.S. security clearance
    — “Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience correlating thermal models with test results and documenting analysis methods clearly
    — “Plan and support tests, analyze test data, and correlate thermal models with test results”
  • Emphasize your ability to identify thermal risks and recommend design changes collaboratively
    — “Identify thermal risks and recommend design changes in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams”
  • Showcase your hands-on use of ANSYS Icepak for electronics cooling and flow analysis
    — “Hands-on experience performing electronics thermal analysis using ANSYS Icepak”
  • Demonstrate your understanding of industry standards like MIL-STD-810 or VITA-48
    — “Familiarity with MIL-STD-810, RTCA/DO-160, or VITA-48”
  • Demonstrate your ability to work across engineering disciplines with clear communication
    — “Strong technical communication skills and ability to work independently across engineering disciplines”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Perform thermal and fluid-flow analysis of electronic components
  • Develop ANSYS Icepak models
  • Provide technical guidance
  • Support board and system bring-up
Typical background
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related STEM field7+ years of relevant experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Thermal AnalysisAnsys IcepakHeat TransferFluid MechanicsElectronics CoolingThermal PerformanceEngineering Hand CalculationsThermal RisksDesign ChangesThermal TestsData ReductionModel Correlation

Preferred

Master’s Degree In Mechanical EngineeringExperience With Ansys Fluent

Stack & domain

Ansys IcepakHeat TransferThermodynamicsFluid MechanicsElectronics Thermal AnalysisLiquid-cooled ColdplatesHeat ExchangersForced-air CoolingFan PerformanceCommunicationProblem-solvingTeamworkOwnershipEngineeringThermalElectronics

About the role

Original posting from CHAOS Industries via Greenhouse

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage—domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving threats. 

CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 and has raised a total of $1 billion in funding from leading investors, including 8VC, Accel, and Valor Equity Partners. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, and London. For more information, please visit www.chaosinc.com.

Role Overview: 

CHAOS is seeking a Staff Thermal Engineer to perform thermal and fluid-flow analysis of electronic components, circuit card assemblies (CCAs), and electronic enclosures. The role spans design trades, detailed analysis, hardware integration, qualification, and production support. 

You will analyze heat transfer and internal fluid flow, including air and liquid coolants in cabinets, coldplates, and heat exchangers. You will work closely with electrical and mechanical designers, providing technical guidance to improve thermal performance and resolve design challenges. You will plan and support tests, perform data reduction, and correlate thermal models with test results. 

This is a full-time, on-site position in El Segundo, CA. 

This requisition is open to candidates who may be considered for a lower or higher job level. Final level and grade will be determined based on relevant experience, skills, and qualifications. 

Responsibilities: 

Perform hand calculations and detailed thermal analyses of electronic components, CCAs, and enclosures 

Develop and use ANSYS Icepak models for electronics cooling and internal air and liquid coolant flow 

Analyze cooling systems that include cabinets, coldplates, heat exchangers, and related hardware 

Assess temperatures, flow distribution, pressure drop, and thermal margins across expected operating conditions 

Define model inputs, assumptions, and boundary conditions, and communicate their effect on results 

Provide practical thermal design guidance to electrical and mechanical designers 

Identify thermal risks and recommend design changes in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams 

Participate in design and peer reviews 

Plan and support thermal tests, analyze test data, and correlate models with test results 

Support board and system bring-up, qualification, troubleshooting, and production issues 

Document analysis methods, assumptions, results, and recommendations 

 Minimum Requirements: 

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related STEM field and 7+ years of relevant experience 

Hands-on experience performing electronics thermal analysis using ANSYS Icepak 

Strong working knowledge of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics 

Experience analyzing thermal performance of electronic components, circuit boards, or enclosures 

Ability to perform engineering hand calculations and assess when detailed simulation is needed 

Experience analyzing liquid-cooled coldplates and heat exchangers 

Experience with forced-air cooling, flow distribution, pressure-drop analysis, and fan performance 

Strong technical communication skills and ability to work independently across engineering disciplines 

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance 

 Preferred Requirements: 

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field 

Experience with Macroflow, STAR-CCM+, NX thermal, or other thermal or CFD software 

Experience planning or supporting thermal tests, reducing test data, or correlating analysis models 

Experience with aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability electronic systems 

Familiarity with MIL-STD-810, RTCA/DO-160, or VITA-48 

Why CHAOS?

Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company

Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more

Our Perks: Free daily lunch while you're working onsite, fully-stocked kitchen, unlimited PTO, casual dress code

Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and (coming soon!) annual bonuses

Team Growth: 500+ employees and counting across 5 global offices

Salary Range: $150,000 - $230,000

The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as bonus, equity, and benefits. If your compensation requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. 

Recruiting Agencies: CHAOS Industries does not accept unsolicited resumes or outreach. Unsolicited submissions will not be reviewed or compensated.

#LI-onsite

Source: CHAOS Industries careers (Greenhouse)

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