Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to thermal control and management in hardware devices. A thermal control system includes a thermal node, a thermal bridge, and a thermal controller. The thermal node is configured to receive heat generated in a device. The thermal controller is configured to in response to an environment temperature of the thermal controller being greater than a first threshold temperature, cause heat transfer from the thermal node to a first heat sink and prevent heat transfer from the thermal node to a second heat sink. The thermal controller is also configured to, in response to the environment temperature of the thermal controller being greater than a second threshold temperature, cause heat transfer from the thermal node to the second heat sink and prevent heat transfer from the thermal node to the first heat sink.