Thermal Engineer, Turbomachinery

Thermal Engineer, Turbo machinery

Torrance, California, United States

At Valar Atomics, we're redefining what's possible in energy. Our mission is to make clean, high-temperature nuclear power scalable—unlocking abundant energy for industry, hydrogen, and next-generation manufacturing. We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe nuclear energy should be fast to deploy, factory-made, and built for the real world. Our first pilot plant in Orangeville, Utah will demonstrate how advanced nuclear systems and fuel fabrication can power the future.

Joining Valar Atomics means becoming part of a company where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level.

As part of the Engineering organization, Power Conversion develops the technologies that efficiently transform reactor-generated heat into usable electrical power. The team focuses on maximizing system performance, reliability, and commercial viability.

Valar Atomics is seeking a turbo machinery aerodynamics engineer to join the turbo machinery team and advance power generation capability. In this role, you'll be responsible for thermal analysis of cutting edge turbo machinery rotors and static structures. You'll be working with cross-functional team members to define a high efficiency, highly producible cycle design. As an early hire in turbo machinery, you will be able to directly influence design decisions on the system architecture.

Analyze rotating and static components to define their maximum operating temperature

Develop thermal isolation strategies to keep components below their maximum operating temperature

Define turbine blade operating temperatures for creep and stress rupture life calculations

Define insulation strategies for the power conversion system to minimize waste heat losses

You are excited to be a part of a complex turbo machinery product from the beginning

You thrive in ambiguous environments without defined turbo machinery design best practices

You want to be part of turbo machinery design beyond a singular aerodynamic, structural or manufacturing perspective

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

3 years experience in thermal analysis of complex rotating components

Experience with a finite element thermal analysis tool such as Ansys Thermal

Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Experience with turbo machinery in a design or test environment

Experience with conjugate heat transfer analysis

Experience with heat exchanger design

Experience with supercritical CO2

Experience analyzing turbo machinery at a component design level

Competitive base salary

Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company

Comprehensive medical benefits

Unlimited PTO

Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite

Generous PPE stipend

High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy

Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement

Direct collaboration with experienced operators, engineers, and industry leaders

The opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up

Valar Atomics is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and will provide reasonable accommodation as required by law.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).

Salary: $140,000 - $215,000 USD