Lead Heat Transfer Engineer – Heap Leach & Thermal Modeling

Jobtailor; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a senior Mechanical Heat Transfer Engineer to lead heat exchanger design, thermal modeling, and temperature prediction for heap leach stockpiles in a mining environment. You will develop and validate large-scale thermal models, optimize heat transfer performance, and drive improvements in heat recovery and thermal management.

The role requires a strong background in heat transfer principles, first-principles analysis, and experience with ANSYS/COMSOL/CFD/MATLAB/Python.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related discipline with 7 years experience OR Master’s with 5 years OR PhD with 3 years
• Demonstrated expertise in heat exchanger design, sizing, and troubleshooting (LMTD, effectiveness-NTU, fouling, pressure drop)
• Ability to develop and validate thermal models of large-scale systems such as heap leach stockpiles
• Working knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and transport phenomena
• Proficiency with thermal modeling tools such as ANSYS, COMSOL, CFD, MATLAB/Python
• Experience with heated-raffinate delivery, boilers, steam systems, or industrial water heating in mining/process environments
• Ability to travel domestically 1–2 times per month, up to 3 days; internationally 2–3 times per year, up to 2 weeks

Responsibilities

• Lead heat exchanger design, sizing, optimization, and troubleshooting
• Lead development, calibration, and validation of thermal models for pile temperature behavior
• Drive design and optimization of heat exchanger systems and heated raffinate distribution networks
• Develop thermal retention strategies to improve sulfide leaching kinetics and metal recovery
• Apply first-principles thermal analysis to predict pile temperature behavior
• Monitor and evaluate emerging technologies and best practices in heat transfer and thermal management
• Perform other duties as required

Skills

Heat Exchanger Design

Thermal Modeling

LMTD Analysis

Fluid Mechanics

Thermodynamics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related discipline

Master’s degree

PhD

Tools

ANSYS

COMSOL

CFD

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Jobtailor is seeking a senior Mechanical Heat Transfer Engineer to lead heat exchanger design, thermal modeling, and temperature prediction for heap leach stockpiles in a mining environment. You will develop and validate large-scale thermal models, optimize heat transfer performance, and drive improvements in heat recovery and thermal management.

The role requires a strong background in heat transfer principles, first-principles analysis, and experience with ANSYS/COMSOL/CFD/MATLAB/Python.