Thermal Hydraulics Engineer

Actalent; Idaho Falls (ID); Remote; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Time Off / PTO

Pre-tax and Roth options

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Thermal Hydraulics Engineer in Idaho Falls for CFD and thermal-fluid modeling of advanced reactor systems. You will analyze fluid flow, cooling performance, and heat transfer under steady-state and transient conditions, documenting results for engineering decisions.

You’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, use ANSYS tools, and contribute to design qualification activities in a fully remote-capable environment.

Qualifications

• CFD analyses experience for reactor system design.
• Thermal-fluid system modeling experience.
• Heat transfer, fluid flow and thermal performance evaluation background.
• Ability to analyze complex cooling systems and flow distribution.
• Experience documenting analysis work in technical reports and calculations.

Responsibilities

• Perform steady-state and transient CFD analyses to support advanced reactor design.
• Develop and execute thermal-fluid system models for performance assessment.
• Conduct detailed heat transfer and flow distribution analyses.
• Evaluate cooling system performance under varying conditions.
• Prepare engineering calculations and reports communicating methods and results.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on design and qualification activities.
• Use ANSYS-based tools and other simulation software to generate results.

Skills

CFD analyses

Thermal-fluid modeling

Heat transfer analysis

Cooling systems analysis

ANSYS software

Documentation of analysis

Collaborative teamwork

20 years engineering experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Nuclear/Aerospace/Chemical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

Job description

Job Title

Thermal Hydraulics Engineer

Job Description

The Thermal Hydraulics Engineer supports the design and development of advanced reactor systems by performing computational fluid dynamics (CFD), thermal-fluid modeling, and heat transfer analysis. The role focuses on evaluating fluid flow behavior, thermal performance, and cooling system effectiveness under both steady-state and transient operating conditions to inform critical engineering decisions.

Responsibilities

• Perform steady-state and transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses to support advanced reactor system design and evaluation.
• Develop and execute thermal-fluid system models to assess reactor and component performance under a range of operating conditions.
• Conduct detailed heat transfer and flow distribution analyses for complex engineering systems.
• Evaluate cooling system performance, including pressure losses and thermal behavior, under varying operating conditions.
• Prepare engineering calculations, technical reports, and supporting analysis documentation that clearly communicate methods, assumptions, and results.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to support system design, qualification activities, and performance assessments.
• Utilize ANSYS-based tools and other simulation software to generate high-quality analysis results and support engineering decisions.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated experience performing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses.
• Experience developing and executing thermal-fluid system models.
• Experience with heat transfer, fluid flow, and thermal performance evaluations.
• Experience analyzing complex cooling systems and flow distribution behavior.
• Proficiency using ANSYS simulation tools for CFD and thermal-fluid analysis.
• Preferred 20 years of relevant engineering experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with advanced reactor systems or similarly complex engineering systems.
• Ability to document analysis work clearly in technical reports and engineering calculations.
• Strong collaboration skills to work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Work Environment

This is a remote position, allowing you to perform analysis and design activities from a home office or other suitable remote location. You will primarily work with advanced engineering simulation tools, including ANSYS-based software and related computational tools, to support design and analysis of complex thermal-fluid and reactor systems. Standard professional attire is expected for any virtual meetings or presentations with internal or external stakeholders.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Idaho Falls, ID.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $90.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 2, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team.