Senior Thermal Analysis Engineer

Company Overview

Zeno Power is the leading developer of nuclear batteries - compact power systems that provide reliable, clean energy in frontier environments. By harnessing the heat from radioisotopes, Zeno's batteries power critical missions on Earth, in space, and  bring this technology to market by 2027, Zeno is seeking out purpose-driven and innovative professionals who are comfortable working in a startup environment. Team members will have a direct impact in enabling commercial and national security missions from the depths of our oceans, to the surface of the moon, and in austere environments here on Earth.

Zeno is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Zeno is seeking a highly motivated Senior Thermal Analysis Engineer to support the mission-oriented efforts of developing and bringing to market Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) technologies. The Senior Thermal Analysis Engineer will be reporting to the Analysis Manager.

In this role you will:

• Lead thermal analysis efforts across the full product lifecycle, from early concept and trade studies through detailed modeling, qualification, and correlation with test data.
• Develop and execute steady-state and transient thermal analyses using FEA-based methods at the component, subsystem, and system levels to support RPS and associated hardware.
• Build, maintain, and refine high-fidelity thermal models using CAD-integrated CAE and finite-element techniques, including complex geometries, interfaces, and material behavior.
• Apply first-principles heat transfer and thermodynamics to guide model formulation, validate FEA results, and assess margins, sensitivities, and risk.
• Define thermal requirements, environments, boundary conditions, and acceptance criteria, and support verification and validation through analysis and testing.
• Perform sensitivity studies and design trades using analytical and FEA-based approaches to improve performance, robustness, and manufacturability while balancing cost and schedule constraints.
• Correlate FEA thermal predictions with experimental data (e.g., thermal-vacuum, environmental, or qualification testing) and update models to improve predictive fidelity.
• Partner closely with mechanical, electrical, systems, test, and materials engineers to ensure thermal considerations are fully integrated into overall system design.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship on thermal analysis topics, including best practices for FEA modeling, assumptions, and interpretation of results.
• Define and manage thermal scope for external vendors, including requirements definition, model review, progress tracking, and technical evaluation of deliverables.
• Communicate results clearly and accurately through written reports, design reviews, and oral presentations to internal teams, leadership, customers, and external stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement of thermal analysis methods, tools, and workflows, including development or enhancement of internal FEA-based tools and automation.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for innovation in thermal architecture, modeling approaches, and analysis capability to support future programs.

• B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent) with 7+ years of thermal analysis experience, M.S degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent) with 5+ years of thermal analysis experience, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent) with 3+ years of thermal analysis experience.
• Proficiency with finite-element-based thermal analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS Workbench, Thermal Desktop, or equivalent platforms).
• Experience developing both high-fidelity and reduced-order thermal models to balance accuracy, speed, and program needs.
• Demonstrated ability to identify bounding cases, perform…