Principal Design Engineer

Job description

Description Sanmina Corporation (Nasdaq: SANM) is a global powerhouse in integrated manufacturing solutions serving the fastest growing segments of the global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) market. We are a global engine providing the end-to-end manufacturing backbone for the world's most essential and innovative brands. Whether it's autonomous vehicles, life-saving medical tech, next-gen aerospace, or AI/cloud infrastructure - our integrated solutions don’t just meet standards—they redefine them.

Principal Design Engineer- PCBA Liquid Cooling Design

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled PCBA Liquid Cooling Design Engineer to lead the development of innovative thermal management systems for advanced electronic assemblies. In this role, you will design direct-to-chip cold plates, custom fluid loops, and micro-channel systems that sit directly on high-density PCBAs. You will collaborate closely with hardware layout designers and manufacturing partners to build reliable, leak-free, and highly efficient cooling architectures.

Thermal Solution Design

• Architect and engineer board-level liquid cooling systems, including direct-to-chip cold plates, manifolds, and custom fittings.

Simulation & Analysis

• Perform Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using tools like Ansys Icepak, FloTherm, or Fluent to predict fluid dynamics, pressure drops, and thermal resistance.

Component Integration

• Select and specify critical loop components such as pumps, quick-disconnect valves, hoses, and leak detection sensors.

PCBA Cross-Collaboration

• Partner with PCB layout engineers to optimize component placement, layout thickness, and copper weight for maximum thermal dissipation.

Prototyping & Testing

• Set up and execute hardware-level thermal validation tests, including hydrostatic pressure, leak/decay verification, and environmental chamber cycling.

Failure Analysis

• Conduct root-cause analysis on structural stress, thermal throttling, galvanic corrosion, and fluid degradation.

DFM Optimization

• Ensure designs comply with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) requirements to guarantee scalable assembly and fluid charging processes on the production line.

CAD Software

• Proficiency in 3D modeling tools like SolidWorks, PTC Creo, or Siemens NX for physical integration.

CFD/FEA Tools

• Advanced skills in thermal simulation software such as Ansys Icepak, FloTherm, or SimScale.

PCBA Familiarity

• Practical knowledge of PCB fabrication, electronic component layouts, and standard testing tools like oscilloscopes and multimeters.

Fluid Dynamics & Metallurgy

• Strong grasp of single-phase/two-phase heat transfer, fluid flow behavior, and material compatibility (e.g., copper-to-coolant interactions).

Lab Equipment

• Experience with flow meters, thermocouples, pressure transducers, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems.

Education

• Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or a highly related technical field.

Experience

• 3+ years of experience specifically focused on electronic cooling, liquid loops, or data center thermal design.

Standards

• Familiarity with international standards governing pressure vessels and electronics cooling, such as ASME, ISO, and ASHRAE guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing cooling for AI hardware clusters, high-performance computing (HPC) environments, or EV power electronics.
• In-depth understanding of immersion cooling or phase-change cooling mechanisms.

Why Join Us? At Sanmina, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. Your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Sanmina is an Equal Opportunity EmployerSanmina is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment. Sanmina provides equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Please be aware that this position may require access to technology, software, or technical data that is subject to U.S. export control laws. All offers of employment are contingent on the applicant either 1) being a "U.S. Person," defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident, or (iii) other protected individual, such as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157 or asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158; or 2) being eligible to obtain a timely export control license or license exception from the applicable U.S. federal agency.