Senior Turbomachinery Mechanical Design Engineer

Company Description

Critical Energy is an innovative, early‑stage, venture‑backed cleantech company on a mission to accelerate the global energy transition through abundant, low‑cost clean energy. Founded by an ex‑SpaceX engineer, Critical Energy designs and manufactures factory‑built, modular power plants. These rapidly deployable systems convert heat into electricity using a closed‑loop thermodynamic cycle and can be installed in just weeks.

Critical Energy’s technology delivers high‑efficiency, 24/7 power for geothermal applications and waste heat recovery (including from data center gas turbines), making clean energy practical and cost‑effective for demanding sectors like AI hyperscalers and data centers. Backed by top climate and technology investors, Critical Energy is scaling rapidly.

To build an abundant, low‑cost, 100% clean energy future through groundbreaking geothermal innovation.

We are a team of passionate engineers, designers, and visionaries building cutting‑edge solutions to meet the world’s energy needs with 100% clean energy. We are in the initial stages of development and building our team. This is your chance to join on the ground floor of something big! If you are ready to work at a fun, fast‑paced, groundbreaking organization that is positioned to revolutionize geothermal energy, apply today!

We are seeking an innovative and versatile Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to create new turbo machinery. Collaborating with engineers across the company, this Mechanical Design Engineer will help design our next generation of power‑generating turbine products, taking ownership from cradle to grave and driving the project through completion. This role will focus on mechanical design from piece parts to system integration, with both attention to detail and a broad understanding of the product.

The role will involve collaborating closely with other members of the Turbo machinery team in addition to Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Systems, Field Ops, and others. This role will often be a pivot between teams.

Candidates must be willing to be flexible in their work and be willing to embrace new learning opportunities and expand their comfort zone to benefit the growth of Critical Energy.

The title of this role will be based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

Direct experience with turbo machinery is not a firm requirement but is a significant bonus.

• Take ownership of the turbo machinery detailed CAD models, layout, and draft drawings per ASME Y14.5 to document and communicate your designs; collaborate with other engineers on checking and reviewing models & drawings

• Find unique design solutions by integrating your own innovations with requirements and opportunities found by other subject‑area experts (such as turbo machinery, fluid systems, electrical systems, and development test)

• Perform hand calculations and structural analyses via finite element analysis to validate your design; collaborate with other engineers on checking and reviewing analyses

• Drive your project to delivery by supporting the fabrication, assembly, and testing of the hardware you have designed; review production issues and proactively hunt for solutions

• Support Field Ops teams with technical expertise and advice after product delivery and accept feedback on possible design improvements

• Develop innovative design concepts for new machines or fluid systems

• Other related tasks as defined by your supervisor that add value to the design needs

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field, or equivalent experience

• 5+ years of proven experience in a mechanical design role, with a strong portfolio of projects involving complex machinery

• A solid understanding of and the ability to apply first principles of core mechanical engineering principles, including statics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and material science as it pertains to system sizing and modeling

• Familiarity with basic design for manufacturing (DFM) principles for 5‑axis, CNC machined and 3‑D printed metallic turbo machinery components

• Familiarity with designing for casting,…