Thermal Design Engineer

Tarsco Construction Corporation; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Tarsco Construction Corporation seeks a Thermal Design Engineer to lead shell-and-tube heat exchanger sizing and related thermal equipment using HTRI. You will translate process data into manufacturable designs for industrial applications and support projects from bid through commissioning.

You will collaborate with mechanical, process, and project teams, evaluate performance, optimize configurations for heat transfer, pressure drop, and cost, and prepare documentation and verification packages.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) registration preferred but not required.
• Strong foundation in heat transfer, fluid flow, and process engineering.
• Experience with shell-and-tube heat exchangers and HTRI utilization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the thermal and hydraulic sizing of shell-and-tube heat exchangers using HTRI software.
• Develop thermal designs from process data, performance requirements, and project specs.
• Evaluate exchanger performance and propose upgrades or replacement strategies.
• Optimize exchanger configurations for thermal performance, pressure drop, manufacturability, and cost.
• Select exchanger types, tube layouts, shell configurations, baffles, and materials of construction.
• Prepare thermal calculations, design documentation, and verification packages.

Skills

HTRI software

Heat transfer theory

Fluid mechanics

PFDs & P&IDs interpretation

Design optimization

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering

PE registration preferred

Tools

HTRI

Excel

Job description

Job Description

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly capable Thermal Design Engineer to lead the thermal and hydraulic design of shell-and-tube heat exchangers and related heat transfer equipment using HTRI software. In this role, you will serve as a key technical resource supporting projects from proposal development through design, manufacturing, testing, and customer delivery.

The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in heat transfer, fluid flow, and process engineering, along with a practical understanding of industry standards such as TEMA and ASME Section VIII. You will work closely with customers and cross-functional teams to develop reliable, manufacturable, and cost-effective thermal solutions for demanding industrial applications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the thermal and hydraulic sizing of shell-and-tube heat exchangers using HTRI software.
• Develop thermal designs based on customer process conditions, performance requirements, and project specifications.
• Evaluate existing exchanger performance and recommend upgrades, debottlenecking opportunities, or replacement strategies.
• Optimize exchanger configurations to balance thermal performance, pressure drop, manufacturability, and cost.
• Select appropriate exchanger types, tube layouts, shell configurations, baffle arrangements, and materials of construction.
• Prepare thermal calculations, design documentation, and performance verification packages.

Proposal, Collaboration, and Project Support

• Review customer specifications, process data sheets, and inquiry packages to develop sound thermal solutions.
• Support proposal development by producing preliminary thermal designs and advising on key technical and commercial design drivers.
• Partner with sales, customers, and internal stakeholders during technical discussions, bid reviews, and clarification meetings.
• Collaborate with mechanical design engineers to align thermal and mechanical requirements and assess the impact of design changes on performance.
• Provide engineering support to manufacturing, quality, and project teams to resolve design-related issues during fabrication and testing.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by strengthening thermal design standards, workflows, and best practices.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related engineering discipline required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) registration preferred but not required.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in thermal design of shell-and-tube heat exchangers or related heat transfer equipment.
• Experience with refinery, petrochemical, chemical processing, power generation, or industrial heat transfer applications preferred.
• Knowledge of TEMA and ASME Section VIII requirements preferred.
• Experience designing fixed tubesheet, U-tube, floating head, kettle reboiler, feed/effluent, and surface condenser exchangers utilizing HTRI, TEMA, and ASME Section VIII requirements.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in HTRI.
• Strong understanding of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, two-phase flow, condensation, vaporization, fouling, and pressure drop analysis.
• Ability to interpret process flow diagrams (PFDs) and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs).
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