AI Factory Cooling R&D Intern - Summer 2026

NVIDIA’s AI Factories are built to accelerate AI and HPC workloads. At their core the Digital Twin (physics-based model used to design, validate, and operate factories optimized for tokens per watt across GPUs, cooling, power, and control systems. We are seeking a PhD-level intern to support hands-on thermal R&D, simulation, and lab-based validation of data center cooling systems, from CDUs and CRAHs to advanced refrigeration and WHR-integrated systems.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Conduct CFD, FNM, and mechanical design studies for rack-level, room-level, and facility-level cooling architectures.

• Build and refine CAD models and digital twin components for NVIDIA’s Omniverse platform.

• Work hands-on in NVIDIA’s Santa Clara thermal labs and CM sites with CDUs, CRAHs, chillers, pumps, HX, and prototype equipment.

• Set up and run experiments using LabVIEW or similar DAQ tools.

• Support mechanical build activities, including working with sheet-metal vendor and assembling test fixtures.

• Assist R&D for single phase liquid cooling, two-phase cooling, liquid-to-liquid systems, and hybrid cooling technologies.

• Work with the full DCE team across cooling, power, controls, mechanical design and digital twin development.

• Generate test reports, analyze data, and validate simulations with lab data.

What We Need to See:

• Pursuing PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal/Fluids Engineering, or similar area.

• Experience with CFD tools (ANSYS Fluent, Cadence, STAR-CCM+) and/or flow network modeling (Flownex).

• Hands-on experience with lab equipment, fluid loops, testing, and instrumentation.

• Experience working with CAD (SolidWorks, NX) and working safely and effectively in an R&D lab environment.

• Experience with LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.

• Strong foundation in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermal system design.

Ways to Stand Out from the crowd:

• Experience working with liquid cooling systems (CDUs, CRAHs, Chillers).

• Background with Omniverse or USD-based digital twin integration.

• Experience designing/building custom test fixtures or prototypes.

• Research/publications in data center cooling or advanced thermal management.

NVIDIA is widely recognized as one of the technology industry’s most desirable employers, with some of the most forward-thinking and dedicated people in the world. If you’re creative, autonomous, and driven, we want to hear from you!

Our internship hourly rates are a standard pay based on the position, your location, year in school, degree, and experience. The hourly rate for our interns is 30 USD - 94 USD.

You will also be eligible for Intern benefits. ​

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until December 21, 2025. NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.