Geothermal & Data Center Thermal Modeling Engineer (Hybrid)

Brightcore Energy, LLC.; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health benefits

401k plan with match

Job summary

Brightcore Energy is seeking a Thermal Modeling Engineer to accelerate modeling advanced thermal performance for geothermal systems and data center applications. You will integrate borefields, dry coolers, and chillers into optimized thermal configurations, collaborating with engineering and project teams to deliver scalable solutions.

The role involves expanding modeling capabilities across geothermal and data center markets, translating complex results into actionable recommendations, and

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 2 years' experience in thermal modeling.
• Strong grounding in heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics; comfort reasoning through equipment performance metrics (COP, EER, approach temperatures, heat transfer rates).
• Working proficiency with energy/load modeling tools (e.g., TRNSYS, Modelica, EnergyPlus, eQuest, HAP, or equivalent) and Excel-based engineering models preferred.
• Working proficiency, or ability to quickly come up to speed, with AutoCAD.
• Ability to carry ambiguous concept work—from feasibility to prototype to product requirement— to a documented result without heavy supervision.
• Fluent with AI tools.
• Direct experience with EED and/or pygfunction for borefield design and analysis preferred.
• Experience modeling data center cooling systems preferred.
• Basic proficiency in Python, or ability to quickly come up to speed preferred.
• EIT certification or active progress toward PE licensure preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform geothermal modeling for core business projects, including thermal performance modeling for data center applications that combine geothermal borefields, dry coolers, chillers.
• Develop and enhance advanced thermal models for geothermal heating and cooling systems, focusing on system performance, efficiency, and optimization.
• Model integrated thermal systems combining geothermal borefields, dry coolers, chillers, and other HVAC technologies.
• Support the development of thermal modeling capabilities for data center applications, including high-density and mission-critical environments.
• Collaborate with engineering, design, and project teams to apply modeling insights to real-world customer projects and system designs.
• Expand Brightcore’s modeling capabilities to evaluate new technologies, configurations, and applications across geothermal and data center markets.
• Analyze modeling results to identify opportunities to improve system performance, energy efficiency, and project economics.
• Help establish and improve modeling tools, methodologies, and processes to support scalable and consistent project development.
• Translate complex modeling results into clear technical recommendations for internal teams and customers.
• Build, run, and maintain models in Modelica and TRNSYS.
• Apply other geothermal-specific modeling tools, including EED and pygfunction.
• Analyze model results and modify or calibrate models accordingly.
• Write automated scripts to optimally size systems based on different customer priorities or needs.
• Simulate fluid flow for large piping systems.
• Design hydraulic piping to meet flow and pumping power requirements.
• Model different control strategies and evaluate their impact on system performance.
• All other duties and projects as assigned.

Skills

Geothermal modeling

Heat transfer

Fluid dynamics

Thermodynamics

TRNSYS

Modelica

EnergyPlus

eQuest

HAP

AutoCAD

Python

AI tools

pygfunction

D ata center cooling

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

TRNSYS

Modelica

EnergyPlus

eQuest

HAP

AutoCAD

Job description

Brightcore Energy is seeking a Thermal Modeling Engineer to accelerate modeling advanced thermal performance for geothermal systems and data center applications. You will integrate borefields, dry coolers, and chillers into optimized thermal configurations, collaborating with engineering and project teams to deliver scalable solutions.

The role involves expanding modeling capabilities across geothermal and data center markets, translating complex results into actionable recommendations, and