Intern, Thermal Modeling & Simulation Engineer (AI Memory / HBM)

Samsung Semiconductor • San Jose, CA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

Samsung’s Power & Thermal Lab is seeking an intern to build and calibrate thermal models of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) stacks and packages. The intern will develop and validate compact thermal models that convert workload-driven power maps into transient temperature maps much faster than full CFD simulations while maintaining accuracy close to CFD. The work will support design decisions for future HBM products and involve collaboration with hardware, software, and thermal experts.

The intern will work on-site daily at Samsung’s San Jose headquarters and report to the SVP, R&D (Power & Thermal Lab). The role includes modeling HBM stack and package physics, validating results against CFD, improving solver speed, simulating AI workload traces, evaluating cooling approaches, and coupling thermal models with power simulations. The position provides mentorship and hands-on experience with production-relevant projects. Applicants must have at least one academic quarter or semester remaining in their studies.

Requirements

• Pursuing a PhD or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field; a PhD is preferred.
• Must have at least one academic quarter or semester remaining.
• Strong foundation in heat transfer, especially transient conduction in multilayer solids and thermal contact resistance.
• Hands-on experience with numerical methods such as finite-volume, finite-element, or finite-difference methods.
• Scientific programming experience in Python and/or MATLAB.
• Ability to critically assess simulation results, including mesh convergence, boundary conditions, and energy balance, and explain discrepancies between models.
• Inclusive and adaptable communication style across situations and diverse global norms.
• Curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to seek data to build understanding.
• Collaborative approach, including building relationships, offering support, and welcoming others’ approaches.
• Innovative and creative approach, with willingness to explore ideas and adapt to change.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Simcenter Flotherm, Ansys Icepak/Fluent, or COMSOL.
• Experience with compact or reduced-order thermal models, model-order reduction, or machine-learning surrogates for physical simulation.
• Background in electronics packaging, 3D-IC or chiplet thermal management, or advanced cooling.
• Familiarity with HPC, sparse linear solvers, or GPU programming.

Responsibilities

• Build and calibrate Simcenter Flotherm CFD models of HBM stacks and packages under realistic cooling conditions, using them as references for fast models.
• Extend compact thermal models to new stack heights, die configurations, and base-die power, and quantify accuracy against CFD in steady-state and transient conditions.
• Develop homogenization methods for fine features such as TSV arrays, micro-bump layers, and underfill, and establish their validity limits.
• Improve thermal solver speed using model-order reduction, sparse linear algebra and preconditioning, GPU acceleration, or machine-learning surrogates.
• Run transient simulations driven by AI workload traces, identify spatiotemporal hotspots, and explore thermal-aware policies such as throttling, refresh control, and power-map scheduling.
• Evaluate cooling and thermal-interface options, including cold plates, two-phase cooling, TIMs, and backside cooling, and translate them into boundary conditions and HBM design guidance.
• Couple the thermal model with the lab’s trace-driven power simulation engine so that power and temperature maps evolve together over time.
• Document methods and results and present them to engineers and lab leadership.
• Complete other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Relocation stipend for those living more than 50 miles from the new office.
• Monthly housing stipend for interns signing a lease for a new place.
• Charitable giving match and opportunities to participate in community activities.
• On-demand emotional wellness apps and paid therapy sessions.
• Onsite café and gym, plus virtual fitness classes.
• Flexible work environment.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern