Thermal Engineer, Turbomachinery

Valar Atomics; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity ownership

Unlimited PTO

Free daily lunch and dinner onsite

PPE stipend

Job summary

Valar Atomics is seeking a turbomachinery aerodynamics engineer to join the turbomachinery team and advance power generation capability. In this role, you’ll be responsible for thermal analysis of cutting edge turbomachinery rotors and static structures.

As an early hire, you will influence design decisions on the system architecture and work with cross-functional teams to define a high efficiency, producible cycle design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 3 years experience in thermal analysis of complex rotating components.
• Experience with a finite element thermal analysis tool such as Ansys Thermal.

Responsibilities

• Analyze rotating and static components to define their maximum operating temperature
• Develop thermal isolation strategies to keep components below their maximum operating temperature
• Define turbine blade operating temperatures for creep and stress rupture life calculations
• Define insulation strategies for the power conversion system to minimize waste heat losses

Skills

Thermal analysis

Rotating components

Finite element analysis (Ansys)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Ansys Thermal

Job description

At Valar Atomics, we're redefining what's possible in energy. Our mission is to make clean, high-temperature nuclear power scalable—unlocking abundant energy for industry, hydrogen, and next-generation manufacturing. We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe nuclear energy should be fast to deploy, factory-made, and built for the real world. Our first pilot plant in Orangeville, Utah will demonstrate how advanced nuclear systems and fuel fabrication can power the future. Joining Valar Atomics means becoming part of a company where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level.

The Team

As part of the Engineering organization, Power Con v ers ion develops the technologies that efficiently transform reactor-generated heat into usable electrical power . The team focuses on maximizing system performance, reliability, and commercial viability.

The Role

Valar Atomics is seeking a turbomachinery aerodynamics engineer to join the turbomachinery team and advance power generation capability. In this role, you’ll be responsible for thermal analysis of cutting edge turbomachinery rotors and static structures. You’ll be working with cross-functional team members to define a high efficiency, highly producible cycle design. As an early hire in turbomachinery, you will be able to directly influence design decisions on the system architecture.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze rotating and static components to define their maximum operating temperature
• Develop thermal isolation strategies to keep components below their maximum operating temperature
• Define turbine blade operating temperatures for creep and stress rupture life calculations
• Define insulation strategies for the power conversion system to minimize waste heat losses

You Will Be Successful in This Role If

• You are excited to be a part of a complex turbomachinery product from the beginning
• You thrive in ambiguous environments without defined turbomachinery design best practices
• You want to be part of turbomachinery design beyond a singular aerodynamic, structural or manufacturing perspective

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• 3 years experience in thermal analysis of complex rotating components
• Experience with a finite element thermal analysis tool such as Ansys Thermal

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Experience with turbomachinery in a design or test environment
• Experience with conjugate heat transfer analysis
• Experience with heat exchanger design
• Experience with supercritical C02
• Experience analyzing turbomachinery at a component design level

What We Offer

• Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company
• Unlimited PTO
• Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite
• Generous PPE stipend
• High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy
• Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement
• Direct collaboration with experienced operators, engineers, and industry leaders
• The opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Valar Atomics is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and will provide reasonable accommodation as required by law.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).