Thermal-Fluids Engineer

Quiet Capital; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Last Energy seeks a highly skilled Thermal-Fluids Engineer to own end-to-end development and analysis of critical thermal-fluid systems for our micro nuclear power plant. You will lead design and validation work in a fast-paced startup environment, turning concepts into deployment-ready solutions alongside Mechanical, Nuclear, and Systems Engineers.

You will perform multiscale analyses, develop CFD and system-level models, and optimize heat exchangers, piping, and other boundary equipment to

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Thermal-Fluids Engineer focused on thermal systems in power plants, nuclear, or complex industrial systems.
• Expert proficiency in CFD software (ANYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM) and system-level thermal-hydraulic codes.
• Strong knowledge of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics, with a deep understanding of internal turbulent flow phenomena.
• Ability to perform in-depth multiscale analyses of heat transfer at both the component and system levels.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with a focus on delivering high-quality results.
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to work collaboratively in a cross-functional startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptual design, analysis, and execution of thermal system components and loops for our advanced power plant systems.
• Drive multiscale thermal-fluid analysis for complex internal turbulent flows, balancing high-fidelity CFD models with efficient system-level codes.
• Own the development and validation of CFD and system-level thermal-hydraulic models to ensure performance and safety.
• Contribute to design and optimization of heat exchangers, piping networks, storage tanks, and pressure-boundary equipment.
• Collaborate daily with Mechanical, Nuclear, and Systems Engineers to integrate thermal-fluid solutions into plant-level designs.
• Perform structural, thermal, and fluid analyses using FEA and CFD to validate manufacturability and deployment speed.
• Operate autonomously from concept to final design verification in a startup culture that values speed and accountability.

Skills

Thermal-Fluids engineering

CFD fundamentals

Multiscale heat transfer

Analytical problem-solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

STAR-CCM+

OpenFOAM

Job description

Last Energy is a pioneering US technology company focused on fleet-wide deployment and operation of next-generation nuclear assets. We are revolutionizing nuclear power delivery for rapid deployment and scalability.

We are seeking a highly skilled, high-impact Thermal-Fluids Engineer to own the end-to-end development and analysis of the critical thermal-fluid systems that unlock the productization of our micro nuclear power plant. This is a role for builders, doers, and innovators who thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on environment where your ideas directly shape the product.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptual design, analysis, and execution of critical thermal system components and loops for our advanced power plant systems.
• Drive multiscale thermal-fluid analysis for complex internal turbulent flows, balancing high-fidelity CFD models with efficient system-level codes to validate and optimize designs.
• Own the development and validation of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and system-level thermal-hydraulic models to ensure structural stability, performance, and design safety across key reactor components.
• Contribute directly to the design and optimization of critical thermal components including heat exchangers, piping networks, fluid storage tanks, and other pressure-boundary equipment based on rigorous thermal performance requirements.
• Collaborate daily with a multidisciplinary team (Mechanical, Nuclear, and Systems Engineers) to integrate thermal-fluid solutions into cohesive, plant-level designs.
• Perform structural, thermal, and fluid analyses using advanced simulation tools (FEA, CFD) to validate and optimize designs for manufacturability and deployment speed.
• Operate autonomously, driving projects from concept to analysis and final design verification in a startup culture that values speed, ingenuity, and accountability.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Thermal-Fluids Engineer (or similar analytical role) focusing on the development and analysis of thermal systems components within power plant, nuclear, or complex industrial systems.
• Expert proficiency in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM) and system-level thermal-hydraulic codes.
• Adept at solving complex thermal and fluid dynamics challenges utilizing advanced techniques and simulation software.
• Strong foundational knowledge of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics, with a deep understanding of internal turbulent flow phenomena.
• Ability to perform in-depth multiscale analyses of heat transfer at both the component and system levels.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with a focus on delivering high-quality, actionable results.
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to work collaboratively in a cross-functional, startup team environment.