Sr Staff Hardware Engineer

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks®, we're united by a shared mission-to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you're ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you're in the right place.

Who Are We

This role is remote, but distance is no barrier to impact. Our hybrid teams collaborate across geographies to solve big problems, stay close to our customers, and grow together. You will be part of a culture that values trust, accountability, and shared success where your work truly matters.

Job Description

Your CareerWe are seeking an experienced Thermal Engineer to support the development and optimization of thermal solutions for PAN (Product Area Network) products. In this role, you will collaborate directly with mechanical engineers to design, evaluate, and improve thermal systems. You will ensure optimal performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in all thermal aspects of our NPI (New Product Introduction) and sustaining programs.Your ImpactSupport all PAN product development thermal effort in both NPI & SustainingSupport ASIC team in the determining thermal package performance prior to release for manufactureCollaborate with mechanical engineers to co-develop NPI product thermal solutionsConduct early-stage thermal feasibility studies and case studies to evaluate design viability & product environmental requirementsCreate, present and maintain thermal simulation models throughout the product development from conceptual to FCSOptimize both internal and external thermal design solutions to ensure high-quality, low-cost solutionsAttend regularly scheduled engineering meetings to review progress and updatesCo-present thermal solutions, risk during system design reviews at each releaseSupport thermal profiling testing. Review and approve the final thermal reports prior to each mechanical release Assist with sustaining thermal efforts when requested, ensuring long-term product performanceSupport PAN NPI sustaining programs during early development phases, including tasks like air temperature plots, junction/case temperatures, enclosure touch temperatures, and heat spreader/heat sink design guidelinesProvide practical recommendations on thermal interface materials, assembly mounting, and overall thermal solution performance

Qualifications (Additional Job Description)

Your Experience Technical ExpertiseDeep knowledge of both active and passive thermal design solutionsStrong understanding of telecom 19" rack and desktop design solutionsAbility to work across functional teams, including hardware engineering, operations, manufacturing, and quality teamsExcellent understanding of ASIC package designCommunicationExcellent cross-functional communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate thermal concepts and collaborate with various stakeholdersExperience3-7 years of experience in PAN product design, specializing in both passive and active cooling solutionsFlowtherm & Icepak modeling capabilitiesEducationPhD, MS, or BS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent military experience requiredAdditional InformationYou will be an integral part of our product development lifecycle, providing essential thermal solutions for both new product introductions and sustaining programsThis role requires flexibility and a proactive mindset, as you will be supporting multiple efforts simultaneously across various stages of development