Thermofluids Engineer
Last Energy
Austin, TX, USA
Posted 6+ months ago
Last Energy is a pioneering US technology company focused on fleet-wide deployment and operation of next-generation nuclear assets. We are revolutionizing nuclear power delivery for rapid deployment and scalability.
We are seeking a highly skilled, high-impact Thermofluids Engineer to own the end-to-end development and analysis of the critical thermal-fluid systems that unlock the productization of our micro nuclear power plant. This is a role for builders, doers, and innovators who thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on environment where your ideas directly shape the product.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead the conceptual design, analysis, and execution of critical thermal system components and loops for our advanced power plant systems.
- Drive multiscale thermal-fluid analysis for complex internal turbulent flows, balancing high-fidelity CFD models with efficient system-level codes to validate and optimize designs.
- Own the development and validation of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and system-level thermal-hydraulic models to ensure structural stability, performance, and design safety across key reactor components.
- Contribute directly to the design and optimization of critical thermal components including heat exchangers, piping networks, fluid storage tanks, and other pressure-boundary equipment based on rigorous thermal performance requirements.
- Collaborate daily with a multidisciplinary team (Mechanical, Nuclear, and Systems Engineers) to integrate thermal-fluid solutions into cohesive, plant-level designs.
- Perform structural, thermal, and fluid analyses using advanced simulation tools (FEA, CFD) to validate and optimize designs for manufacturability and deployment speed.
- Operate autonomously, driving projects from concept to analysis and final design verification in a startup culture that values speed, ingenuity, and accountability.
Qualifications
- Proven experience as a Thermofluids Engineer (or similar analytical role) focusing on the development and analysis of thermal systems components within power plant, nuclear, or complex industrial systems.
- Expert proficiency in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM) and system-level thermal-hydraulic codes.
- Adept at solving complex thermal and fluid dynamics challenges utilizing advanced techniques and simulation software.
- Strong foundational knowledge of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics, with a deep understanding of internal turbulent flow phenomena.
- Ability to perform in-depth multiscale analyses of heat transfer at both the component and system levels.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with a focus on delivering high-quality, actionable results.
- Strong communication skills and a willingness to work collaboratively in a cross-functional, startup team environment.
Last Energy provides decarbonized, reliable, affordable nuclear energy at scale by innovating on the delivery model, not the reactor. By significantly reducing the time and cost of deployment, we are decarbonizing global energy production, increasing access to 24/7 baseload power, and creating a scalable clean energy future for humanity.