Lead Thermal Engineer - Heat Exchangers & Modeling

Freeport McMoRan Inc.; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 112,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Life & disability insurance

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Employee assistance program

Discounted insurance

Internal progression

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. is seeking a senior engineering specialist to provide technical leadership in mechanical heat transfer for heap leach and hydrometallurgical operations at our Phoenix HQ.

You will lead development and validation of thermal models, drive heat exchanger design, and optimize thermal management to improve sulfide leaching kinetics and metal recovery. Travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field with 7+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s with 5+ years, or PhD with 3+ years.
• Experience designing, sizing, and troubleshooting heat exchangers (shell-and-tube, plate-and-frame).
• Proficiency with thermal modeling tools and heat transfer theory in mining or process environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead heat transfer studies and shell-and-tube or plate-and-frame exchanger projects.
• Develop, calibrate, and validate thermal models for heap leach stockpiles and process streams.
• Design and optimize heat exchanger systems and heated raffinate distribution networks.
• Evaluate emerging heat transfer technologies and contribute to safety and efficiency.
• Communicate complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Heat transfer

Heat exchanger design

Thermal modeling

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Master’s degree in Engineering or related field

PhD in Engineering or related field

Tools

ANSYS

COMSOL

CFD

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. is seeking a senior engineering specialist to provide technical leadership in mechanical heat transfer for heap leach and hydrometallurgical operations at our Phoenix HQ.

You will lead development and validation of thermal models, drive heat exchanger design, and optimize thermal management to improve sulfide leaching kinetics and metal recovery. Travel domestically and internationally as needed.