Cryogenic Engineer (GEH)

Thompson Construction Group, Inc.; Florence (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Thompson Construction Group, Inc. seeks an experienced Cryogenic Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and analysis of superconducting magnets for MRI systems.

You will guide cryogenic components, perform heat transfer and structural assessments, and drive improvements for reliability and cost efficiency. You will mentor engineers, collaborate across functions, and develop service tools while staying current with state-of-the-art cryogenic technologies.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical, Thermal, or Cryogenic Engineering is required.
• 10+ years of experience in superconducting magnet cryogenic design.
• Hands-on experience building, testing, and validating cryogenic systems and components.
• Extensive experience designing and testing cryogenic systems utilizing GM cryocoolers.
• Design ownership for the design, analysis, and optimization of cryogenic systems, sensors, and liquid helium systems.
• Advanced proficiency in finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using ANSYS.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design, analysis, and technical direction of superconducting magnets and cryogenic components used in MRI systems.
• Mentor less-experienced engineers and collaborate with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and manufacturing partners.
• Develop methods to reduce cryogen consumption and improve reliability and manufacturability.
• Prepare and present design analysis reports and part/assembly drawing reviews.
• Coordinate cross-functional design, analysis and testing to deliver robust solutions.

Skills

FEA

CFD

Cryogenic design

Design ownership

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical, Thermal, or Cryogenic Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

Job description

Position Description

Since its foundation in 1986, Thompson Construction Group, Inc. has grown from a small, local company into one of the largest privately held companies based in South Carolina. Our diverse services portfolio includes capital projects, power services, maintenance services, disaster recovery, hydro consulting and commercial construction. We believe in investing in our employees to help them reach their professional goals, as well as their personal goals. Thompson promotes a work environment that fosters learning, leadership, and development along with a safety culture that never waivers. Thompson is headquartered in Sumter, South Carolina with offices spanning the United States, primarily southeast and central United States.

Job Description Summary

Leads the mechanical design, analysis, and technical direction of superconducting magnets and cryogenic components used in MRI systems. Serves as a subject-matter expert in cryogenic systems, guiding the development and implementation of new MRI magnet assembly processes, technologies, and products. Drives improvements to existing products that enhance performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost competitiveness. Provides technical leadership on complex engineering issues, mentors less-experienced engineers, and collaborates with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and manufacturing partners to deliver robust solutions.

Perform Cryogenic mechanical design and analysis of superconducting magnets and components used in MRI systems, including but not limited to the following:

• Thermodynamics and heat transfer analysis, including determination of heat loads, heat budgets and test verification
• Thermal & Structural design of cryogenic components
• Verification and Validation of cryogenic components and instrumentation (eg. Valves, burst disks, Temperature sensors, cryocoolers, compressors, etc.)
• Reliability analysis of cryogenic components and systems
• Manufacturing support of cryogenic and vacuum systems
• Development of methods to reduce cryogen consumption
• Failure analysis of cryogenic components (eg. thermal shields, compressors, plumbing)
• Development of service tools to support cryogen filling, maintenance & safety of magnets
• Installed Base data analysis and reduction. Lead resolution of cryogenic, thermal and vacuum issues relating to Installed Base Systems
• Maintain competitive advantage by staying current in state of the art in cryogenic technology and recommend/implement innovative changes to product design while justifying cost with well developed business cases
• Prepare/present design analysis reports and part/assembly drawing reviews
• Develop product, component test and purchase specifications
• Design leadership of productivity projects (both product cost and life cycle cost reduction)
• Coordinate cross-functional design, analysis and testing
• Support manufacturing improvement and lean initiatives
• Provide creative solutions to unstructured product and system design issues from both factory and field

Position Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Mechanical, Thermal, or Cryogenic Engineering
• 10+ years of experience in superconducting magnet cryogenic design.
• Hands-on experience building, testing, and validating cryogenic systems and components used in superconducting magnets.
• Extensive experience designing and testing cryogenic systems utilizing Gifford-McMahon (GM) cryocoolers.
• Design Ownership for the design, analysis, and optimization of cryogenic systems, components, sensors, and liquid helium systems, including heat load calculations and thermal budget development.
• Advanced Proficiency in finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using ANSYS for complex cryogenic system design analysis and thermal related impacts.

Desired Characteristics

• Phd in Thermal or Cryogenic Engineering
• Expertise with high vacuum systems, getters, cryopumps and helium leak testing
• Expertise with Liquid Helium and Liquid Nitrogen transfer systems and cryogenic data acquisition systems
• Expertise with material properties and machine design at cryogenic temperatures
• Experience in a cryogenic component or system-manufacturing environment

Equal Opportunity Employer

Thompson Construction Group, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Thompson Construction Group, Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

• We strive to provide a competitive compensation and benefits package. This includes but is not limited to medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), wellness programs and career development.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.