Thermal & Mechanical Engineering Intern

d-Matrix • Santa Clara, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

At d-Matrix, we are focused on unleashing the potential of generative AI to power the transformation of technology. We are at the forefront of software and hardware innovation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Our culture is one of respect and collaboration. We value humility and believe in direct communication. Our team is inclusive, and our differing perspectives allow for better solutions. We are seeking individuals passionate about tackling challenges and are driven by execution. Ready to come find your playground? Together, we can help shape the endless possibilities of AI.
Summer 2026 Intern – Thermal & Mechanical Engineering
Location: Santa Clara, CA (On-site)
Team: Hardware Engineering / Systems Architecture
Dates: June 2nd - August 21st or June 22nd-Sept 11th
About the Role
At d-matrix, we are pushing the boundaries of AI compute efficiency. High-performance AI silicon generates significant heat, and our mission is to ensure our platforms remain cool and reliable under the most intense LLM inference workloads.
As a Thermal & Mechanical Engineering Intern, you will play a hands-on role in the physical realization of our hardware. You will transition between the CAD environment and the R&D lab, helping us build the infrastructure required to validate our next-generation liquid and air-cooled systems.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Exposure to thermal simulation software (ideally Flotherm, Icepak, or SolidWorks Flow Simulation).
• Comfort working with lab equipment, including thermal data loggers (DAQs), flow sensors, and high-power lab supplies.
• Ability to take raw lab data and perform statistical analysis to identify performance trends and marginalities.
• Precision in laboratory work—from the exact placement of a thermocouple to the version control of a simulation model.

Nice To Haves

• Understanding of PCIe form factors and data center cooling requirements.
• Experience with 3D CAD modeling (SolidWorks, Pro/E, or NX).
• Familiarity with heat sink design and Thermal Interface Materials (TIM).

Responsibilities

• Assist in the foundational setup of the Thermal and Mechanical R&D lab. This includes organizing high-power test benches and installing specialized sensing equipment.
• Figure out and document the procedures to power and run PCIe accelerator cards in a standalone environment for thermal stress testing.
• Execute rigorous aerodynamic characterization using a wind tunnel. You will measure pressure drop and thermal performance across multiple PCIe cards to generate a high-fidelity statistical dataset for our architecture team.
• Support the development of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) models. Using Simcenter Flotherm, you will create detailed models of individual components (ASICs, VRMs, Optics) and full-system airflow profiles.
• Prepare laboratory test setups and prepare test samples (including thermocouple attachment and TIM application) for thermal characterization.
• Create "Gold Standard" documentation for laboratory procedures and maintain meticulous records of all experimental test data.

Benefits

• End-to-End Experience: See a thermal design move from a Flotherm model to a physical wind tunnel test.
• Industry Impact: Contribute directly to the thermal integrity of hardware that will power the next generation of LLMs.
• Mentorship: Work side-by-side with senior hardware designers and architects who have built world-class systems at scale.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees