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Staff Thermal Test Engineer - Data Center Cooling

Palo Alto, CA (Hybrid)

About Groq

Groq delivers fast, efficient AI inference. Our LPU-based system powers GroqCloud™, giving businesses and developers the speed and scale they need. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we are on a mission to make high performance AI compute more accessible and affordable. When real-time AI is within reach, anything is possible. Build fast.

Staff Thermal Test Engineer - Data Center Cooling 

Mission: 

Groq’s mission is the preservation of human agency and self determination in the age of AI, by becoming the essential component for AI’s deployment. Groq exists to ensure that AI is developed rapidly, that it and its benefits are made affordably and universally accessible, and that in doing so Groq becomes essential enough for those developing AI that we can guide AI to become a tool for our benefit. The quickest way to understand the opportunity is to watch the following talk – groq.link/scspdemo.

Responsibilities & opportunities in this role:

  • Plan & execute thermal test campaigns for LPU cold-plate loops and air-cooled subsystems (fans, heat sinks, RDHx).
  • Instrument test vehicles with T-type/ K-type thermocouples, RTDs, MEMS dP-sensors, flow meters, pressure transducers; automate collection via NI/Keysight DAQ and Influx/Grafana.
  • Correlate measurements to FloTHERM and steady-state and transient models; close gaps to < 5 °C delta.
  • Characterize thermal interface materials (TIM1/ TIM1.5/ TIM2)—bond-line thickness, interface resistances, contact pressure.
  • Benchmark cold-plate performance (∆T, HTC, pressure drop) under variable flow (0.5–2 L min-¹) and coolant mixes (W17, PG25).
  • Build & maintain loop hardware: CDUs, chillers, gear pumps, flow-control valves, quick-disconnects, reservoir degassers, rack manifolds, instrumentation harnesses.
  • Develop DOE for fan speed optimization, acoustics and vibration vs. airflow in OCP / EIA Rack form factors.
  • Publish clear test reports, BoM traceability, and calibration records for internal and customer audits.
  • Interface daily with mechanical, PCB, firmware, and data-center ops teams; provide “go / no-go” on thermal risk.

Ideal candidates have/are:

  • B.S. + 5 yrs (or M.S. + 3 yrs) in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Sciences, or a related field.
  • Proven ownership of data-center or server-class thermal tests (air and liquid).
  • Hands-on proficiency with thermocouples, RTDs, flow & pressure sensors, DAQ scripting (Python/LabVIEW).
  • Working knowledge of heat transfer fundamentals (conduction, forced convection, boiling avoidance, single/ two phase heat transfer,  immersion cooling) and how to translate them into repeatable test methods.
  • Experience measuring pressure drop, flow balance, pump head and calculating loop energy balance.
  • Solid CFD/FEA skills in FloTHERM for test-correlation and quick “what-if” validation.
  • Ability to read P&ID schematics, select valves/hoses/QDs, and enforce safety / EHS protocols around glycol-water systems.

Preferred Qualifications

  • OCP ORv3 / ASHRAE TC 9.9 familiarity.
  • Exposure to fan PWM control, tach feedback, and fan acoustics.
  • Direct experience with major CDU vendors/ CM at rack level thermal testing and RDHX

Attributes of a Groqster:

  • Humility - Egos are checked at the door
  • Collaborative & Team Savvy - We make up the smartest person in the room, together
  • Growth & Giver Mindset - Learn it all versus know it all, we share knowledge generously
  • Curious & Innovative - Take a creative approach to projects, problems, and design
  • Passion, Grit, & Boldness - no limit thinking, fueling informed risk taking

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

Compensation: At Groq, a competitive base salary is part of our comprehensive compensation package, which includes equity and benefits. For this role, the base salary range is $169,915 to $199,900, determined by your skills, qualifications, experience and internal benchmarks.

Location: Some roles may require being located near or on our primary sites, as indicated in the job description.  

At Groq: Our goal is to hire and promote an exceptional workforce as diverse as the global populations we serve. Groq is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of our organization. We value and celebrate diversity in thought, beliefs, talent, expression, and backgrounds. We know that our individual differences make us better.

 

Groq is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.  We also take affirmative action to offer employment opportunities to minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans.

Groq is committed to working with qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities. Applicants who would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or who need special assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process may contact us at:  talent@groq.com.  This contact information is for accommodation requests only.  Evaluation of requests for reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

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