Thermal Systems Engineer (cooling, HVAC)

The Junior Thermal Systems Engineer supports the development, testing, and integration of vehicle thermal management systems including engine and battery cooling, HVAC, and heat exchangers. This role involves CAD support, testing assistance, basic calculations, and close collaboration with senior engineers to ensure systems meet thermal performance, efficiency, and packaging requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in the design, layout, and modeling of cooling system components (radiators, condensers, fans, hoses, pumps) and HVAC modules.

• Support integration studies for packaging of thermal system components within the vehicle architecture.

• Work with cross-functional teams (powertrain, body, electronics) to ensure proper system routing and mounting.

• Participate in prototype builds and vehicle testing for thermal systems.

• Assist in analyzing test data and preparing technical reports.

• Create and maintain documentation such as BOMs, component drawings, and test logs.

• Support benchmarking and competitor analysis studies for cooling and HVAC systems.

Key Focus Areas:

• Cooling System Layout Support
  (Assist in routing coolant lines, locating radiators, intercoolers, fans, and pumps)

• HVAC System Integration
  (Support duct layout, blower packaging, evaporator and heater core selection)

• Component Selection and Modeling
  (Basic CAD work for brackets, mounting, and routing; prepare 2D drawings)

• Thermal Performance Testing Support
  (Assist in setting up instrumentation and logging vehicle test data)

• Collaboration with Electrical/Controls Teams
  (Work with control engineers on cooling fan strategies and HVAC control logic)

• Documentation and Change Tracking
  (Maintain drawing revisions, test plans, and issue logs)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Automotive, or Thermal Engineering.

• 0–2 years of internship or project experience in thermal or HVAC systems preferred.

• Familiarity with automotive cooling or HVAC components and systems.

• Basic proficiency in 3D CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, NX, or SolidWorks).

• Good analytical, communication, and documentation skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Hands-on experience with student automotive projects (Formula SAE, BAJA, EV teams).

• Understanding of heat transfer principles, fluid flow, and thermodynamics.

• Exposure to vehicle testing, airflow modeling, or thermal simulation is a plus.

• Knowledge of refrigerant systems and basic HVAC operation.

• Familiarity with basic tools like Excel, MATLAB, or LabVIEW for data analysis.