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

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.

Responsibilities

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

Requirements

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