Director, Applications Engineering

Ventiva is a leader in active cooling solutions for electronic devices, delivering thinner, faster, and cooler high-performance products that remain lightweight, silent, and vibration-free. Its patented Ionic Cooling Engine (ICE) technology provides an all-electronic heat transfer solution that addresses thermal challenges in modern high-performance semiconductor design. ICE technology generates airflow without moving parts by using electrohydrodynamic (EHD) principles to move ionized air molecules within an electric field. Ventiva’s ICE9 thermal management suite offers smart, adaptive cooling that continuously monitors system needs and adjusts airflow accordingly. By combining advanced monitoring, algorithms, and real-time software, ICE9 supports robust, device-wide thermal management integrated with overall system performance.

About the Role

The Director, Applications Engineering is a full-time, on-site role based in Fremont, CA. This role leads the applications engineering function, guiding the integration of Ventiva’s ICE and ICE9 technologies into customer systems and reference designs. The director collaborates closely with product, software, and hardware teams to define requirements, validate performance, and resolve complex thermal and system-level challenges. Day-to-day responsibilities include managing engineering projects, overseeing customer evaluations and proof-of-concept builds, providing technical leadership to the applications engineering team, and ensuring timely, high-quality delivery of solutions. The role also involves engaging with key customers and partners, supporting pre- and post-sales technical activities, and contributing to product roadmaps and application guidelines based on real-world use cases.

What You'll Own

• Demonstrated Team Leadership skills, including mentoring, performance management, and building high-performing, cross-functional engineering teams.
• Strong Project Management capabilities to plan, prioritize, and execute multiple applications engineering projects and customer engagements.
• Experience in Product Management and Product Development, particularly in defining requirements, influencing roadmaps, and aligning solutions with market and customer needs.
• Hands-on Software Development or software integration experience, preferably with embedded systems, device control, or thermal management software.
• Relevant technical background in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, thermal management, or a related field; bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.
• Proven experience in applications engineering or customer-facing technical roles within semiconductor, electronics, or hardware-focused companies.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including customers and executive leadership.
• Track record of working on-site in lab and hardware environments, with familiarity in system testing, validation, and performance characterization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions and adapt to evolving technologies and customer requirements.

What You'll Bring

• 12+ years in applications, systems, or platform engineering in notebook, client compute, or semiconductor — mechanical, systems, electrical, or power domain. Thermal depth welcome, not required.
• Direct experience carrying an OEM or ODM design engagement from concept to mass production; you know what a qualification gate actually requires.
• Fluency across the client compute stack: SoC power/thermal envelopes, board layout constraints, memory topology tradeoffs, and the firmware/system software layer that ties them together.
• Track record hiring and running a distributed applications team, including Taiwan/Greater China.
• Credibility in the room with a customer VP of Engineering — you can hold an architecture conversation, not just a spec review.
• BS/MS in Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering.

This is a key role for Ventiva. Applications Engineering is not support. It is where the platform argument gets won or lost. The Director of Applications Engineering is the technical author of Ventiva’s credibility with every partner that matters.

Salary Range: $190,000 - $225,000

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. We also provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs and practices.