Senior Thermal Analyst

Xcimer Energy; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 155,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

401(k) match

Paid time off

Healthcare benefits

Job summary

Xcimer Energy, based in Denver, CO, is hiring a Senior Thermal Analyst to lead thermal and CFD analyses for cooling systems in Energy and Defense programs.

You will build transient and steady‑state thermo‑fluid models, validate with experimental data, and work with design engineers to embed thermal insights into hardware designs.

Requirements include a B.S. in engineering, 8+ years in thermal/CFD, STAR‑CCM+/Ansys Fluent, and U.S. eligibility; onsite role with competitive pay.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of thermal-fluid, CFD, or heat-transfer analysis experience.
• Proficiency with STAR-CCM+ and Ansys Fluent.
• Experience with turbulent flow modeling, convection and radiation heat transfer, and cooling design.
• Strong fundamentals in heat transfer and thermo-fluids with hand calculations.
• Experience supporting hardware test campaigns and correlating models with data.
• U.S. citizen or eligible for U.S. work authorization.

Responsibilities

• Lead thermal and CFD analyses for cooling systems, gas-flow pathways, and fusion chamber components.
• Build and maintain transient and steady-state thermo-fluid models including conduction, convection, radiation, and turbulence.
• Validate CFD and thermal models using analytical techniques, experimental data, and multi-physics correlations.
• Produce traceable analysis documentation for design reviews and testing readiness.
• Conduct peer reviews and maintain best practices for modeling and assumptions.
• Collaborate with design engineers to integrate thermal results into components and systems.
• Support prototype builds and test operations by diagnosing thermally-related issues.
• Contribute to internal thermal/CFD workflows and verification/validation processes.

Skills

Thermal-fluid analysis

CFD modeling

Model validation

Collaboration

Documentation

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related field

MS in Mechanical Engineering or related field (optional)

Tools

STAR-CCM+

Ansys Fluent

SimCenter

COMSOL

Abaqus

NX

Teamcenter

Job description

XcimerEnergybuilds ondecades of research inInertial Fusion Energy (IFE), combined with a groundbreaking new laser architecture, to accelerate the deployment of fusion power plants. Our mission is to deliver clean, limitless fusion energy fast enough to meet global decarbonization goals.Xcimer has assembled a world-class team spanning tough tech, fusion science, and advanced manufacturing, with a proventrack recordof rapid execution. Backed by leading investors, we are uniquely positioned to bring inertial fusion power from prototype to reality. Join us in powering a better world with fusion.

This is a full-time, onsite role based at our headquarters in Denver, CO.

As Senior Thermal Analyst, you will lead the thermal and CFD analysis across Xcimer’s Energy and Defense programs. You will evaluate cooling architectures, analyze steady‑state and transient heat loads, and provide thermal insight that drives system‑level design decisions. You will work closely with design engineers and fellow analysts to ensure thermal behavior is fully integrated into cross‑disciplinary workflows including component design, architecture trades, performance optimization, and experimental validation. You will generate traceable analysis documentation, participate in peer reviews, andprovideanalysis guidance to design engineers and junior analysts. As hardware progresses from prototype to integrated testing you will support troubleshooting, test correlation, and rapid iteration.We are looking for engineers who enjoy building systems from concept through commissioning and thrive in fast‑paced manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead thermal and CFD analyses for cooling systems, gas‑flow pathways, and fusion chamber components.
• Build and maintain transient and steady‑state thermo‑fluid models including conduction, convection, radiation, turbulent flow, and compressible gas dynamics.
• Validate CFD and thermal models using analytical techniques, experimental data, and multi‑physics correlations.
• Produce clear, accurate, and traceable analysis documentation for design reviews, architecture trades, and test readiness.
• Conduct peer reviews of thermal/CFD analyses from other analysts; maintain best practices for modeling, assumptions, margins, and documentation.
• Collaborate with analysts and design engineering teams to ensure thermal results are fully integrated into component and system designs.
• Support prototype builds and test operations by diagnosing thermally‑related issues, supporting root‑cause investigations, and recommending corrective actions.
• Contribute to the development of internal thermal/CFD workflows, correlation standards, and analysis verification/validation processes.

Qualifications

• Education:B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related field.
• Experience:8+ years of thermal‑fluid, CFD, or heat‑transfer analysis experience supporting engineered hardware (Energy, Aerospace, Laser Systems, HVAC.).
• Expert proficiency with commercial CFD tools (e.g., STAR‑CCM+, Ansys Fluent) and experience with CFD verification/validation.
• Demonstrated experience with turbulent flow modeling, compressible and incompressible fluids, convection and radiation heat transfer, and cooling system design.
• Strong fundamentals in classical heat transfer and thermo‑fluids, including hand calculations and closed‑form thermal analysis methods.
• Demonstrated experience supporting hardware test campaigns, thermal instrumentation, flow diagnostics, and correlating models with experimental data.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Desired

• M.S. or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related field.
• Hardware selection and/or design experience: fans, pumps, heat exchangers, piping, and other supporting equipment.
• Experience developing multi‑physics simulation environments involving thermal, flow, mechanical stress using simulation tools (SimCenter, COMSOL, Abaqus, etc.).
• Experience with high‑temperature systems, transient pulsed heat deposition, gas lasers, or fusion‑related thermal environments.
• Familiarity with engineering materials, manufacturing processes, cooling strategies, and how they affect thermal performance and reliability.
• Familiarity with scripting languages (Python, MATLAB, VBA) for automating workflows and post‑processing results.
  CAD/PLM experience (NX, Teamcenter).

$155,000 - $180,000 a year

Candidates may be considered for other positions at Xcimer Energy, and our actual base salary will be determined on an individual basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The range is published in accordance with Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and California Equal Pay Act.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Xcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Xcimer Energy hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information on “EEO Is the Law,” please see here and here.

Benefits

Xcimer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption; and a 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Eligible employees also receive equity, allowing them to share in the company’s long‑term success.

Xcimer operates under a flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach. Rather than a fixed number of vacation days, employees are trusted to take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting the expectations of their role and team. In addition, employees receive paid sick time, 13 company‑paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown. Benefits are available to regular employees, including part‑time and fixed‑term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit.