ENGINEER - RESEARCH ENGINEER - Thermal Engineer

Southwest Research Institute; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to lead bench- and pilot-scale thermal-fluid experiments, focusing on heat transfer and complex fluid phenomena. You will design flow loops, integrate pumps and heat exchangers, and develop LabVIEW-based data acquisition systems to automate tests and reduce uncertainty.

You will model and optimize thermal management systems using analytical methods and CFD tools such as ANSYS Fluent and STAR-CCM+.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 0-5 years: prior experimental research preferred.
• Experience with LabVIEW for data acquisition and control is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead bench- and pilot-scale thermal-fluid experiments, including design of flow loops and integration of components.
• Develop and operate LabVIEW-based data acquisition and control systems; automate test sequences and analyze data.
• Design and optimize thermal management and fluid systems using first principles and CFD tools; validate models with experimental data.
• Support multiple projects including planning, budgeting, and documentation; prepare test plans and reports.

Skills

LabVIEW

Experimentation

Thermal analysis

Data analysis

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

STAR-CCM+

Job description

Who We Are:

We are a collaborative, agile team of engineers within Southwest Research Institute dedicated to advancing science and applying technology for the benefit of government and industry. We develop next-generation thermal and fluid systems across data center cooling, energy and power, aerospace, aviation, and defense-delivering objective, high-impact solutions to complex engineering challenges.

Objectives of this Role:

Provide engineering support for research projects on thermal systems involving heat transfer and complex fluid phenomena. Topic areas include data center cooling, space thermal management, electronics cooling, HVAC and other energy/water nexus topics. Lead and operate experimental research projects in a laboratory setting. Provide design solutions for thermal management systems and/or fluid systems using analytical and computational approaches. Develop innovative solutions for commercial and government clients on the world's challenges in the energy-water nexus.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Lead bench- and pilot-scale thermal-fluid experiments, including design of flow loops; integration of pumps, heat exchangers, cold plates, chillers, CDUs; installation of temperature/pressure/flow instrumentation; and commissioning of safe, fully integrated test systems.
• Develop and operate LabVIEW-based data acquisition and control systems; automate test sequences; monitor performance in real time; and conduct data reduction, analysis, visualization, and uncertainty quantification using engineering software.
• Design and optimize thermal management and fluid systems using first principles, analytical methods, and CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+); validate models with experimental data for data centers, space systems, electronics cooling, HVAC, and energy-water applications.
• Support multiple concurrent technical projects, including planning, budgeting, scheduling, documentation, and technical/financial performance; prepare test plans and reports; present results to stakeholders and at national/international conferences.
• Support new business development through networking, customer engagement, conference attendance, and proposal writing.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or related Engineering degree fields.
• 0-5 years: Prior experimental research in an academic or professional setting is preferred.
• Experience in LabVIEW for data acquisition and control is preferred.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Special Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. person (i.e., U.S. citizen, non-U.S. citizen national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee) due to ITAR work in section.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Job Locations:

San Antonio, Texas

Military Friendly:

Your military experience may apply to this position

For more information about this division, visit the Mechanical Engineering home page.

For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here.

For benefits information at all other locations, click here.

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status.