Thermal Engineer
Last Energy
- Austin, United States
- On-site
- Full-time
- Mid Level
- Posted
Responsibilities
- Working alongside our analysis and structural engineers, this person takes designs from model to physical hardware.
- 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
Requirements
- BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or related field, with 7+ years of hands-on industry experience designing components under thermal and mechanical loading
- Proven experience as a Mechanical, Thermal, or Design Engineer working on thermal systems components within power plant, nuclear, or complex industrial systems
- Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Siemens NX, PTC Creo) for mechanical design of thermal-mechanical components and assemblies
- Proficiency in analysis software (e.g., ANSYS Mechanical, Abaqus, SolidWorks Simulation) for structural and thermal stress analysis
- Solid working knowledge of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and mechanical design principles (fatigue, fracture, thermal expansion, pressure-boundary design)
- Experience with pressure vessel or piping design codes a strong plus (ASME BPVC Section III/VIII, B31.1/B31.3)
- Practical, hands-on approach to problem-solving with a bias toward manufacturable, deployable designs over purely academic analysis
- Excellent communication skills and a willingness to work collaboratively in a cross-functional, startup team environment