Thermal Engineer, Turbomachinery
at Valar Atomics · 11-50 employees
Just raised · Hybrid · $1.2B
- Location
- Torrance, California, United States
- Posted
- 5d ago
at Valar Atomics · 11-50 employees
Valar Atomics is a nuclear energy startup developing advanced small reactors and clusters of reactors to supply large-scale energy needs.
<p><strong>About Valar Atomics</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="none">The Team</span></strong> </p> <p><span class="TextRun SCXO85506047 BCX0" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXO85506047 BCX0">As part of the </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXO85506047 BCX0" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXO85506047 BCX0">Engineering</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXO85506047 BCX0" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXO85506047 BCX0"> organization, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXO85506047 BCX0">Power</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXO85506047 BCX0"> </span><span class="FindHit SCXO85506047 BCX0">Con</span><span class="FindHit SCXO85506047 BCX0">v</span><span class="FindHit SCXO85506047 BCX0">ers</span><span class="FindHit SCXO85506047 BCX0">ion</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXO85506047 BCX0"> develops the technologies that efficiently transform reactor-generated heat into usable electrical </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXO85506047 BCX0">power</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXO85506047 BCX0">. The team focuses on maximizing system performance, reliability, and commercial viability.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXO85506047 BCX0"> </span></p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">The Role</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></strong></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Valar Atomics is seeking a turbomachinery aerodynamics engineer to join the turbomachinery team and advance power generation capability. In this role, you’ll be responsible for thermal analysis of cutting edge turbomachinery 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 turbomachinery, you will be able to directly influence design decisions on the system architecture.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Key Responsibilities</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Analyze rotating and static components to define their maximum operating temperature </span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Develop thermal isolation strategies to keep components below their maximum operating temperature</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Define turbine blade operating temperatures for creep and stress rupture life calculations</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Define insulation strategies for the power conversion system to minimize waste heat losses</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">You Will Be Successful in This Role If</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">You are excited to be a part of a complex turbomachinery product from the beginning</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">You thrive in ambiguous environments without defined turbomachinery design best practices</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">You want to be part of turbomachinery design beyond a singular aerodynamic, structural or manufacturing perspective</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Basic Qualifications</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">3 years experience in thermal analysis of complex rotating components</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with a finite element thermal analysis tool such as Ansys Thermal</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Preferred Skills and Experience</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering </span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with turbomachinery in a design or test environment</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with conjugate heat transfer analysis</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with heat exchanger design</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with supercritical C02</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience analyzing turbomachinery at a component design level</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> </ul> <p><strong>What We Offer</strong> </p> <ul> <li>Competitive base