Thermal-Mechanical Engineer for Nuclear Hardware

Last Energy, Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Last Energy is seeking a Thermal Engineer to design pressure-boundary hardware for a micro nuclear power plant, translating performance requirements into manufacturable components. You will lead thermo-mechanical design, run analyses, and collaborate with structural and analysis engineers to deliver validated, deployable hardware.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in thermal/ mechanical design for nuclear or complex industrial systems, strong CAD/analysis software skills, and a hands-on approach

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering with 7+ years hands-on experience.
• Experience designing thermal systems within power plant, nuclear, or complex industrial systems.
• Solid knowledge of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and mechanical design principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptual design, analysis, and execution of critical thermal-mechanical components and systems for our advanced power plant.
• Drive mechanical design of components subject to thermal loading.
• Own the design of heat exchangers, piping networks, fluid storage tanks, and other pressure-boundary equipment, and partner with our structural engineers on validation, ensuring structural integrity, thermal performance, and design safety across key reactor components.
• Perform thermal and structural analyses (thermal stress, fatigue, and thermal expansion) to validate component designs against pressure, temperature, and cyclic loading requirements.
• Contribute directly to the mechanical design and optimization of critical thermal components, translating thermal performance requirements into manufacturable, deployable hardware.
• Collaborate daily with a multidisciplinary team to integrate thermal-mechanical solutions into cohesive, plant-level designs.
• Support material selection, tolerancing, and design-for-manufacturing decisions for components operating under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions.
• Operate autonomously, driving projects from concept to design verification in a startup culture that values speed, ingenuity, and accountability.

Education

MS in Mechanical Engineering

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Autodesk Inventor

SolidWorks

Siemens NX

PTC Creo

ANSYS Mechanical

Abaqus

SolidWorks Simulation

Job description

Last Energy is seeking a Thermal Engineer to design pressure-boundary hardware for a micro nuclear power plant, translating performance requirements into manufacturable components. You will lead thermo-mechanical design, run analyses, and collaborate with structural and analysis engineers to deliver validated, deployable hardware.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in thermal/ mechanical design for nuclear or complex industrial systems, strong CAD/analysis software skills, and a hands-on approach