System Thermal Design Staff Engineer

Job description

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER. ADVANCE THE WORLD. At AMD, we believe technology has the power to solve the world’s most important challenges. From advancing healthcare and scientific discovery to powering AI and the technologies people rely on every day, innovation at AMD is shaping the future. Whether you’re designing next-gen processors, enabling AI breakthroughs, or bringing leading edge products to market, every role at AMD contributes to something bigger — technology that moves the world forward. Join us and, together, we’ll advance your career. THE ROLE: AMD is seeking an experienced and highly motivated System Thermal Design Staff Engineer to lead thermal design and validation activities for next-generation server, AI, and datacenter platforms. This role requires a strong technical leader with deep hands-on experience in CPU/GPU system thermal design, thermal characterization, platform-level thermal optimization, and technical management of ODM engineering execution . THE PERSON: The candidate will drive system thermal strategy, manage ODM technical deliverables, debug complex thermal issues, collaborate across cross-functional engineering teams, and ensure robust, high-quality thermal solutions are delivered according to technical requirements and program schedules. The ideal candidate combines strong technical depth, hands-on engineering capability, technical leadership, and practical experience working with ODM partners in server, AI, or datacenter platform development environments. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Lead system-level thermal design and validation activities for CPU/GPU server and AI platforms. Develop and execute thermal validation plans, methodologies, and system thermal design strategies. Drive thermal characterization and thermal margin analysis across various workloads, configurations, and environmental conditions. Lead thermal issue debugging, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions. Perform thermal chamber testing, instrumentation setup, and thermal data analysis. Collaborate with BIOS, power, SI/PI, mechanical, platform, architecture, and other cross-functional engineering teams to optimize system thermal solutions. Drive fan tuning, airflow optimization, and overall system thermal performance. Correlate laboratory measurements with simulation and CFD results to improve prediction accuracy and design decisions. Support platform bring-up, qualification, and customer issue resolution. Provide technical leadership and manage ODM thermal execution, including requirements alignment, deliverable planning, design and validation reviews, issue closure, and schedule tracking. Ensure ODM engineering deliverables meet defined technical requirements, quality expectations, validation criteria, and program milestones. Drive ODM accountability through clear technical requirements, milestone tracking, review criteria, risk identification, and timely closure of technical gaps and issues. Review and provide technical direction on ODM thermal designs, simulation results, validation plans, test reports, and corrective actions. Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership within the team. Drive continuous improvement in thermal design, validation methodologies, technical processes, and engineering execution. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: 8+ years of relevant thermal engineering experience. Strong experience in system-level thermal design and validation for CPU/GPU platforms. Experience with server, datacenter, AI, or high-performance computing systems. Proven ability to lead complex technical activities and drive cross-functional engineering collaboration. Experience leading thermal engineering activities with ODM/OEM partners for server or datacenter platform development. Demonstrated ability to manage ODM technical deliverables, including requirements definition, design reviews, validation execution, issue closure, and schedule alignment. Ability to provide technical direction to external engineering partners while maintaining clear ownership, quality standards, deliverable expectations, and accountability. Strong problem-solving, root-cause analysis, and debugging skills. System thermal design and optimization. Thermal chamber testing. Thermal instrumentation and thermocouple setup. Thermal characterization and workload validation. Thermal margin analysis. Hotspot identification and airflow validation. Fan tuning and system thermal optimization. CPU/GPU thermal validation. Thermal telemetry and data analysis. Validation methodology development. System bring-up and issue debugging. Experience with thermal simulation and CFD correlation. Airflow and thermal modeling experience. Experience with FloTHERM. Experience with ANSYS Icepak. Experience with AMD EPYC platforms. Experience with GPU server or AI systems. Experience with NVIDIA HGX or multi-GPU platforms. Experience with AI server thermal validation. Liquid cooling design and/or validation experience is preferred. Validation automation or scripting experience is preferred. ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or a related engineering field. LOCATION: Penang, Malaysia #LI-KL1 Benefits offered are described: AMD benefits at a glance . AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD’s “Responsible AI Policy” is available here. This posting is for an existing vacancy.