Senior Thermal Controls Engineer

Company: Terraline
Location: Fremont
Posted on: February 13, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Who we are: Terraline is creating the only clean-sheet, battery-electric heavy truck that is designed for any human or autonomous driver, and is capable of exceeding 500 miles of range. The Terraline team has decades of experience in the autonomous and electric vehicle industries, most notably the Tesla and Waymo Class 8 trucks. You will be working with a highly cross-functional team of systems, software, hardware and vehicle engineers, as well as an incredibly talented team of designers, technicians, and a wide range of other professionals. Position: Sr. Thermal Engineer - Automotive FLSA Classification: Exempt Reports to : Engineering Lead Primary Job Responsibilities: As a Sr. thermal control engineer, you will be responsible for designing and implementing thermal control algorithms and software for various heat transfer systems in an electrical truck. As the team grows, you may be designated as a subject matter expert and will be asked to provide guidance to junior team members. The ideal candidate works well within a diverse team while also being able to operate independently and deliver projects on time and to specification. This candidate is able to solve complex problems by working up from the engineering fundamentals to develop the best solution, regardless of what others are doing or have done. We can’t change the world by doing it the way everyone else has done it! Finally, while we are an engineering driven company, you will need to be able to effectively communicate with our co-workers and partners in both technical and non-technical capacities. Responsibilities: Lead requirement development and analysis of thermal control for powertrain, battery, HVAC of an electric truck. Design, development, implementation, testing and calibration of control algorithms for an electrical vehicle thermal system including HVAC system, powertrain cooling systems, HV battery pack cooling systems. Develop test plans for validation of thermal software functions including on-vehicle testing Developing diagnostics and fault actions for various thermal subsystems Work with cross functional teams to perform root cause analysis, recommend solutions, and negotiate and execute contingency plans Support, organize and lead customer and supplier meetings Create report which address critical vehicle control issues and engage cross functional engineering support as required Documentation of algorithm development and testing results, and integration of the documentation within the relevant tools. Support product development and testing timeline planning with cross-functional hardware, controls, and software teams Job Requirements - Essential Skills: Solid control background in linear/nonlinear systems analysis, stability, and controller design Experience, understanding, and intuition for the physics of electric propulsion and motion control systems Creating dynamic models of electrical and mechanical systems Model development and data analysis in Matlab/Simulink Strong communication and preference for working in teams Hands-on work is an integral part of being an engineer at Terraline, so familiarity with and a willingness to use basic hand tools is necessary for success Desired Skills: Experience with thermal control and calibration in electrical vehicle Good understanding of automotive functional safety standards like ISO 26262 Familiarity with Electric Vehicle (EV) drive systems Capability of delivering high-quality code in an embedded environment Qualifications: MS/PhD in EE/ME or equivalent 5 years experience in controls system development, modeling, and implementation in an embedded environment 3 years working experience in automotive, or aerospace industries Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Unfortunately, Terraline cannot sponsor new visa applicants at this time What we offer you: High-quality individual and family medical, dental, and vision insurance with an employer contribution Competitive compensation packages Employer-paid group term life insurance Employer-paid Short-term and Long-term disability insurances 401(k) with company match Paid vacation Holidays following the Federal Holiday Schedule Physical demands: We are all hands on deck at Terraline in our efforts to create exciting change within the trucking world. The ideal candidate will be both adventurous and versatile. Daily activities could range from a full day of designing components at your desk, to full days working in the shop building out huge Class 8 trucks, and everything in between. Each day will be an adventure and you should feel comfortable handling moderately sized components within your daily routine. Travel required: Subject to periodic travel requirements. Company-related travel expenses reimbursed per the company’s Travel and Expense Reimbursement policy. Other duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Terraline Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Terraline Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let the recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Keywords: Terraline, North Highlands , Senior Thermal Controls Engineer, Engineering , Fremont, California