Senior Thermal Engineering Technical Leader

The application window is expected to close on: 08/31/2026. Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

This role requires being onsite in San Jose, CA at least 4 days/week.

The Common Hardware Group (CHG) creates innovative hardware platforms central to the AI era, powering Cisco’s core Switching, Routing, and Wireless products for organizations globally. Our innovations in silicon, optics, and hardware platforms—like Silicon One—are shaping the technology industry. We’re a global team of creative experts, bringing our unique backgrounds and bold ideas to push boundaries and help each other grow.

Because full product development—from design to qualification to production—is within our team, we’re able to think differently, experiment more, and work quickly. Join us to power the future of the digital world.

• Design and develop thermal solutions (air cooled or liquid cooled) for systems with high-power ASICs and high-density optical transceivers.
• Develop detailed package, board, and system level simulations using Computational Fluid Dynamic tools such as Flotherm or Icepak to simulate and analyze thermal solutions.
• Collaborate with Distinguished Engineers and Hardware leads on system architectures and cooling.
• Perform thermal testing (including airflow, acoustic, thermocouple testing, modules, and/or platform level validations) to validate simulation models.
• Lead and mentor other thermal engineers in the group.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers and other cross‑functional teams to identify risks, derive tradeoffs and deliver objective, data‑driven solutions.
• Develop test plans and test reports and present simulations reports to project team and management.

• Bachelors in Mechanical or Thermal Engineering + 12 years of related experience, or Masters in Mechanical or Thermal Engineering + 8 years of related experience, or PhD in Mechanical or Thermal Engineering + 5 years of related experience.
• 5+ years of experience in design, simulation, and testing of thermal solutions for electronic devices and systems.

• 3+ years of relevant experience in the thermal design of telecom, compute, or networking equipment.
• Experience in use of Computational Fluid Dynamic analysis tools such as Flotherm or Icepak.
• Knowledge and experience with advanced air‑cooling technologies (vapor chamber and remote heat sinks, thermal interface materials, fans/fan trays).
• Experience with designing liquid cooling and/or immersion cooling systems.
• Experience with performing other analysis such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Data Center cooling simulations.
• Experience with 3D MCAD modeling tools such as PTC’s Creo or NX.

The starting salary range posted for this position is $ to $ and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits. Individual pay is determined by the candidate’s hiring location, market conditions, job–related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below.

For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long‑term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

• 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non‑exempt employees
• 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year‑end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
• Non‑exempt employees receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay…