Senior Thermofluids Engineer

Type One Energy; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock and share options

Relocation allowance

Insurance plans

401k retirement options

Job summary

A leading fusion energy company is seeking a Senior Thermofluids Engineer in Knoxville to develop and optimize thermal-fluid design strategies. Your role will involve advanced modeling, mentorship of junior engineers, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will have expertise in compressible fluid dynamics and heat transfer, supporting cutting-edge fusion technology.

Qualifications

• Experience in modeling compressible flow systems from first principles.
• In-depth knowledge of heat-transfer and fluid flow interactions.
• Skill in using software tools for modeling compressible flow phenomena.
• Demonstrated use of software tools (open-source codes / ANSYS / COMSOL) in modeling compressible flow phenomena.
• Ability to communicate results of analyses and contribute constructively to the design effort.
• Ability to reduce complex problems into simpler analysis tasks to inform decision making and down-selection.

Responsibilities

• Drive the thermo-fluids design for the blanket technology.
• Mentor junior engineers on heat transfer and fluid flow.
• Conduct advanced analytical modeling of compressible fluid flow.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate thermal/fluid solutions into system designs.
• Perform sensitivity analyses and parametric studies to understand design variable impacts.
• Assist in developing standardized CFD workflows and best practices.
• Support experimental testing by correlating analytical and computational predictions with data.
• Document findings and present results to internal stakeholders and clients.
• Mentor junior engineers on fluid dynamics and heat transfer.

Skills

Modeling compressible flow phenomena

Analytical techniques for heat transfer

CFD simulations

Fluid dynamics

Communication of analysis results

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

STAR-CCM+

OpenFOAM

COMSOL

Job description

Join to apply for the Senior Thermofluids Engineer role at Type One Energy

Join us in our mission to commercialize fusion energy ⚡

About Type One Energy

Type One Energy Group is mission-driven to provide sustainable, affordable fusion power to the world. Established in 2019 and venture-backed in 2023, the company is led by a team of globally recognized fusion scientists with a strong track record of building state-of-the-art stellarator fusion machines, together with veteran business leaders experienced in scaling companies and commercializing energy technologies.

If you are searching for the best new ideas and share our vision, join us as a “Senior Thermofluids Engineer.”

Location: Knoxville, TN; Madison, WI; Boston, MA; or Vancouver, BC

Salary: Highly Competitive Plus Benefits

Contract: Permanent, full time

Reporting to: Director of Thermofluids Engineering

Your role in the mission

Type One Energy is looking for a Senior Thermofluids Engineer to drive the thermo-fluids aspect that is critical to the design of one of our core technologies – the Blanket. As a senior engineer, you will drive the development of energy and momentum transport strategies for the blanket from concept through to detailed design. Although an individual contributor, you will mentor junior engineers on heat transfer and fluid flow problems and contribute to other thermofluids design aspects across the stellarator core.

• Conduct advanced analytical modeling of compressible fluid flow and heat transfer phenomena in complex systems.
• Develop and validate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using tools such as ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, or OpenFOAM.
• Interpret simulation results to provide actionable insights for design optimization and performance improvement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate thermal/fluid solutions into system designs.
• Perform sensitivity analyses and parametric studies to understand the impact of design variables.
• Assist in developing standardized workflows and best practices for CFD and thermal analysis.
• Support experimental testing by correlating analytical and computational predictions with physical data.
• Support the design of experiments relating to compressible flow phenomena.
• Document technical findings in detailed reports and present results to internal stakeholders and external clients.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers on fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and simulation best practices.
• Review and critique analysis work performed by junior team members to ensure accuracy and quality.
• Lead knowledge-sharing sessions and training workshops on advanced thermofluids topics and tools.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence within the engineering team.

What you’ll need

• Experience modeling compressible flow phenomena from first principles
• In-depth understanding of combined heat-transfer and fluid flow effects in the compressible flow regime (Rayleigh-Fanno flows)
• Demonstrated use of analytical techniques in solving heat transfer and fluid flow problems
• Demonstrated use of software tools (open-source codes / ANSYS / COMSOL) in modeling compressible flow phenomena
• Ability to communicate results of analyses and contribute constructively to the design effort
• Ability to reduce complex problems into simpler analysis tasks to inform decision making and down-selection

Desired skills:

• Experience in modeling helium cooled systems with intense heat fluxes and sharp fluid density changes
• Experience working on nuclear systems
• Experience designing compressible flow experiments
• Experience in troubleshooting and diagnosis of data from compressible flow experiments
• Experience working in large experimental facilities
• Experience in working with and mentoring early-career engineers
• Ability to own and deliver on multiple projects

We offer

In addition to a basic salary and yearly bonus, you will also get…

• Stock and share options
• Relocation allowance
• Insurance plans
• 401k retirement options
• And many more great voluntary benefits

Type One Energy applies proven advanced manufacturing methods, modern computational physics and high-field superconducting magnets to develop its optimized stellarator fusion energy system. Its FusionDirect development program pursues the lowest-risk, shortest-schedule path to a fusion power plant over the coming decade, using a partner-intensive and capital-efficient strategy.

Type One Energy is committed to community engagement in the development and deployment of its clean energy technology. For more information, visit www.typeoneenergy.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Type One Energy is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity, searching for the best new ideas and remaining open to unique perspectives. Therefore, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment independent of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.