Sr. Principle Systems / Rack Thermal Engineer

About the role

Astera Labs (NASDAQ: ALAB) seeks a Senior Principal Thermal Engineer to lead thermal architecture across next-generation AI systems, networking platforms, optical interconnects, and rack-scale infrastructure. The role involves defining thermal strategy across various components and working closely with System Architects, Mechanical Architects, Power Architects, Silicon Engineering Teams, Software Architects, and ODM partners.

Responsibilities

• Define End-to-End Thermal Architecture
• Develop thermal architecture from silicon devices through complete rack-scale AI systems.
• Define thermal budgets, cooling requirements, and performance objectives.
• Drive architecture decisions balancing performance, reliability, power, density, and cost.
• Establish multi-generation thermal roadmaps supporting future AI infrastructure.
• Lead AI Rack and Platform Cooling Design
• Provide Thermal Leadership For GPU Compute Platforms
• Develop system-level cooling strategies supporting next-generation high-density AI deployments.
• Develop Advanced Air and Liquid Cooling Solutions
• Architect airflow solutions for high-performance computing systems.
• Define direct liquid cooling and cold plate solutions.
• Support advanced rack cooling technologies.
• Develop thermal strategies for future 100kW+ AI racks.
• Optimize thermal performance while reducing infrastructure cooling cost.
• Lead Optical Thermal Innovation
• Develop Thermal Solutions For Near Package Optics (NPO)
• Co-Packaged Optics (CPO)
• Optical Engines
• Silicon Photonics Platforms
• Fiber Connectivity Infrastructure
• Optical Transceivers and Modules
• Address Thermal Interactions Between Optical engines
• High-speed SerDes
• Switch ASICs
• GPU interconnects
• Rack cooling systems
• Drive Thermal Modeling and Validation
• Lead CFD simulation activities
• Perform system-level airflow analysis
• Develop thermal design guidelines
• Correlate thermal simulations with lab measurements
• Establish validation procedures and thermal KPIs.
• Collaborate with ODM Partners
• Work directly with ODM and JDM partners to define thermal requirements.
• Review rack and platform thermal designs.
• Resolve thermal bottlenecks.
• Support qualification and manufacturing readiness.
• Ensure compliance with Open Rack design objectives.
• Partner Across Engineering Functions
• Collaborate closely with System Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Power Architecture, Electrical Engineering, Silicon Design, Reliability Engineering, and Manufacturing Operations to deliver industry-leading AI infrastructure solutions.

Requirements

• BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of thermal engineering experience.
• Proven track record leading thermal architecture for AI infrastructure, networking platforms, servers, storage, or hyperscale systems.
• Deep expertise in Heat Transfer, Conduction and Convection, Airflow Optimization, Thermal Characterization, Cooling System Design, and Rack-Level Thermal Architecture.
• Hands-on experience using ANSYS Icepak, FloTHERM, 6SigmaETC, FEA tools and methodologies.
• Strong experience with thermal validation and correlation techniques.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel-based AI platforms.
• Experience with Open Rack and OCP architectures.
• Expertise in liquid cooling technologies.
• Familiarity with PCIe Scale-Up and UALink systems.
• Experience with Ethernet scale-out networking.
• Experience supporting optical technologies including NPO, CPO, Optical Engines, Silicon Photonics, Fiber Connectivity Systems.
• Experience supporting rack power densities exceeding 50kW and scaling toward future 100kW–250kW deployments.
• Experience working directly with ODMs and hyperscale customers.

Leadership Attributes

• Strong systems thinking.
• Strategic technology leadership.
• Cross-functional influence.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to drive architecture across multiple organizations.
• Passion for solving complex infrastructure challenges.

Benefits

The salary range is $195,000 to $250,000, depending on experience, level, and business needs. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonuses, incentives, and benefits.