Staff Thermal Engineer

Leading the future in luxury electric and mobility

At Lucid, we set out to introduce the most captivating, luxury electric vehicles that elevate the human experience and transcend the perceived limitations of space, performance, and intelligence. Vehicles that are intuitive, liberating, and designed for the future of mobility.

We plan to lead in this new era of luxury electric by returning to the fundamentals of great design – where every decision we make is in service of the individual and environment. Because when you are no longer bound by convention, you are free to define your own experience.

Come work alongside some of the most accomplished minds in the industry. Beyond providing competitive salaries, we’re providing a community for innovators who want to make an immediate and significant impact. If you are driven to create a better, more sustainable future, then this is the right place for you.

We are seeking a Staff Engineer – System Modeling & Testing to lead the development of advanced thermal and HVAC system models and validation strategies at Lucid Motors. This role requires deep technical expertise, strategic planning, and the ability to drive innovation and influence system architecture decisions across vehicle programs. You will own modeling methodologies, drive correlation standards, and mentor engineers while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure system performance, efficiency, and reliability targets are consistently achieved. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Own the 1D system modeling strategy for thermal and HVAC systems using GT-SUITE, Simulink, MATLAB, and Python, ensuring models support architecture trade-offs, control strategy development, and program-level decisions. 

• Lead development and validation of reduced-order models for key thermal components, leveraging test data and high-fidelity simulations to ensure accuracy, computational efficiency, and alignment with control requirements. 

• Perform and guide CFD simulations for HVAC and thermal systems to support component-level design iterations, identify optimization opportunities, and enable simulation-driven design decision-making. 

• Define and execute system validation plans, including lab testing, instrumentation, and correlation of models with physical data; establish correlation metrics and sign-off criteria. 

• Conduct advanced data analysis of simulation and experimental results using Python and MATLAB to extract insights, optimize system performance, and inform architecture decisions. 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (thermal, controls, battery, drive unit, vehicle integration, hardware design, manufacturing, and suppliers) to align on requirements and ensure robust system integration. 

• Establish best practices for modeling workflows, automation, and regression testing in Python; implement standards for version control and model quality. 

• Mentor and coach engineers, review models and test plans, and contribute to technical leadership across programs. 

• Support supplier evaluations and guide packaging and manufacturability considerations for thermal components. 

• Own modeling & validation workstream commitments aligned to department OKRs; track, report, and drive cross-functional unblockers to hit targets. 

• Demonstrate ownership of major features from concept through model-to-test correlation sign-off; provide technical direction across programs. 

Qualifications – Required 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Thermal Sciences, or related field (PhD a plus). 

• 6–10 years of relevant experience in thermal systems modeling, simulation, and validation (automotive or related); 10+ total years preferred. 

• Expertise in GT-SUITE, Simulink, MATLAB, and Python for simulation, optimization, and data analysis. 

• Strong foundation in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics, with deep knowledge of EV thermal system architectures (battery cooling, drive unit cooling, cabin HVAC, heat pumps). 

• Proficiency with CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, Star-CCM+, OpenFOAM) for component- and subsystem-level thermal/fluid analysis. 

• Proven ability to define modeling strategies, establish correlation standards, and influence system-level architecture decisions. 

• Experience leading system validation, including test planning, instrumentation, and correlation of models to physical data. 

• Strong communication and leadership skills to drive cross-functional alignment and mentor technical teams. 

Qualifications – Preferred 

• Background in automotive HVAC & thermal systems, battery thermal management, or power electronics cooling. 

• Experience in control model development and advanced reduced-order modeling of components such as compressors, valves, or heat exchangers. 

• Experience with CFD simulations for multiphase fluid flow and conjugate heat transfer. 

• Familiarity with vehicle-level testing, validation methods, and automotive communication protocols such as CAN and LIN, along with relevant industry standards. 

Salary Range: The compensation range for this position is specific to the locations listed below and is the range Lucid reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job-related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; and other relevant business and organizational factors.

Additional Compensation and Benefits: Lucid offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in Lucid’s equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.  (Cash or equity incentive awards, if any, will depend on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and company performance.)

Base Pay Range (Annual)

$138,800—$203,500 USD

Additional Compensation and Benefits: Lucid offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in Lucid’s equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.  (Cash or equity incentive awards, if any, will depend on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and company performance.)

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