Senior Thermal Mechanical Engineer

New Wave Design•Eden Prairie, MN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

New Wave Design is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support the design, analysis, testing, and qualification of rugged-embedded computing products, including VPX, XMC, and QMC Form Factors, in addition to custom ruggedized systems. This includes responsibility for thermal engineering, materials selection, environmental testing, and production readiness. The Mechanical Engineer will work closely with Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, and Product Management to ensure mechanical and thermal solutions meet customer, regulatory, and manufacturing requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
Minimum 5 years of relevant mechanical engineering experience
Experience with mechanical and thermal design of electronic systems
Knowledge of heat transfer principles and structural mechanics
Hands-on experience with thermal or environmental testing
Proficiency with CAD tools (SolidWorks or equivalent)
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Must be able to lift and carry 20 pounds.
Must be able to lift 20 pounds over the head
Must have finger and wrist dexterity with repetitive motion
Ability to work in a lab environment, including handling electronic assemblies
Occasional travel may be required
Ability to work on-site as needed to support testing, builds, or issue resolution
Due to the type of work at our facilities and certain access restrictions, successful applicants must be of a "U.S. Person". The candidate must be able to prove so, with remittance of proper identification supporting so, upon an acceptance of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with VPX, OpenVPX, XMC, QMC, or similar embedded form factors
Familiarity with defense, aerospace, or industrial electronics environments
Experience supporting qualification to customer or industry standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810)
Experience with thermal simulation tools
Experience working with contract manufacturers or assembly partners
Opportunity to work on high end thermal management solution for SAWP-C military application
Proven ability to complete complex thermal and mechanical projects on time and budget
Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive, innovative mindset.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interface with internal teams, customers, and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Innovate and develop high-end mechanical and thermal solutions for cutting-edge embedded electronic products, including: Heat frames, heat sinks, wedge locks, heat spreaders, heat pipes, and faceplates
Enclosure and conduction-cooled designs
Mechanical integration of connectors, optics, and fiber routing
Perform thermal analysis and modeling to support design decisions
Balance performance, reliability, cost, and manufacturability in mechanical designs
PCB Layout, Footprint, and library management
Design and execute thermal and mechanical test plans
Support environmental and qualification testing (e.g., thermal cycling, vibration, shock)
Correlate simulation results with physical test data
Identify root causes of mechanical or thermal issues and recommend corrective actions
Select materials based on thermal, mechanical, environmental, and reliability requirements
Evaluate mechanical stress, CTE mismatch, and long-term durability
Support reliability and lifecycle considerations for deployed products
Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Operations to ensure designs are production-ready
Support first-article builds, ESS setup, and yield improvement efforts
Assist with documentation needed for production, qualification, and audits
Collaborate with Electrical Engineering on layout-driven mechanical and thermal constraints
Work with CAD to ensure accurate models and drawings
Interface with customers, vendors, and suppliers on mechanical and thermal topics as needed
Create and maintain detailed technical documentation, including STEP models, vendor and assembly instructions
Effectively communicate complex technical concepts to stakeholders, including non-technical audiences.
Mentor junior engineers.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Four weeks of vacation for all employees
9 paid holidays observed annually
Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds
Life insurance and disability coverage
Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
Flexible spending accounts
Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
Voluntary coverages include, vision, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance
Flexible work schedules
Diversity drives innovation; and inclusion drives success. NWD knows our employees are our greatest asset. With a focus on collaboration, innovation, respect, and a commitment to providing professional development opportunities, work-life balance initiatives, and a fulfilling employee experience, the NWD employees can tackle the toughest challenges in our industry as we deliver intelligent computing solutions at the edge. At NWD, you can grow your career and make a meaningful impact.