Robotics Fan & Active Cooling Systems Engineer, Thermal Engineering, Optimus

What to Expect

We are developing cooling solutions for a general-purpose humanoid robot operating under continuous dynamic loads in unstructured environments. As a Robotics Thermal Design Engineer, you will own the full design and development lifecycle of in-house fan systems — from aerodynamic concepts through prototyping, validation, and production. You will work directly alongside an in-house motor design team to co-develop fan-motor assemblies that meet the robot's specific cooling requirements, spatial constraints, acoustic targets, and power budgets. This is a deeply hands-on role that sits at the intersection of turbomachinery, thermal-fluid systems, and electromechanical integration.

What You’ll Do

• Own the end-to-end design of in-house fan systems, including blade geometry, housing, and ducting, to optimize performance, weight, and acoustics
• Translate system-level cooling targets into fan design specifications, working directly with the motor design team to create integrated fan-motor assemblies
• Define the overall airflow architecture and active cooling system layout for current and next-generation platforms
• Build and maintain CFD models to predict fan and system airflow performance and own the correlation of those models with physical test data
• Establish test protocols and acceptance criteria for fan performance, including flow bench testing, acoustic characterization, and in-system thermal validation
• Collaborate with mechanical, firmware, and controls teams on housing design, vibration management (NVH), and fan speed control strategies
• Lead DFM reviews and supplier discussions to ensure designs are reliable and producible at volume

What You’ll Bring

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 4+ years of experience in fan or blower design, turbomachinery, or fluid system engineering — with hardware you have taken from concept to a working, validated product
• Strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics and aerodynamics — blade design, pressure-flow characteristics, system resistance curves, and fan-system matching
• Proficiency in CFD tools (Fluent, StarCCM+, or equivalent) for internal and external airflow, with experience correlating simulation results to physical test data
• Hands-on experience with fan or pump performance testing — flow benches, pressure measurements, acoustic rigs, or equivalent test setups
• Comfortable working in constrained form factors where airflow, weight, acoustics, and space requirements all compete simultaneously
• Strong cross-functional communication — you'll regularly align with motor design, firmware, mechanical, and manufacturing teams
• Master’s degree preferred