Thermo - Mechanical Design Engineer - Heat Pipes

As a Thermo-Mechanical Design Engineer, you will play a key role in the development, design, qualification, and deployment of advanced heat pipe systems for cutting-edge applications. You will work closely with the Heat Pipe Responsible Engineer and cross-functional teams to mature technologies from concept through production. The ideal candidate will drive innovation and ensure the highest standards in heat pipe technology, contributing to next-generation sustainable energy solutions.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Perform design, modeling, and analysis of heat pipe systems, ensuring compatibility with interfaces in their intended applications.
• Support development of manufacturing methods for prototyping and mass manufacturing of heat pipes.
• Support development of test articles, stands, and procedures for validating the limits of heat pipe performance and life characteristics.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external stakeholders to drive the execution of customer requirements into delivered hardware products.
• Define operating procedures and limits for heat pipes to inform end users of performance envelope.
• Investigate heat pipe failure and define reliability limits; integrate fixes rapidly.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical / Aerospace Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or a related physics-based field.
• 2+ years of experience in engineering, with a focus on thermal or heat transfer systems.
• Demonstrated experience with thermal modeling software (e.g., COMSOL, ANSYS).

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Master’s in Nuclear Engineering, Thermal Sciences, or Mechanical / Aerospace Engineering.
• Knowledge of materials science as it applies to alloy selection for heat transfer and structural properties.
• Demonstrated knowledge in simulation of high temperature 2-phase flow fields.
• Demonstrated expertise in heat pipe design, analysis, manufacturing, and test.
• Strong understanding of nuclear safety standards, testing protocols, and regulatory requirements.
• 2+ years of experience in high temperature (500°C+) systems, including prior work with heat pipe technology.
• Experience with sodium purification and material handling.
• Exceptional communication skills to work effectively across teams and convey technical information to non-specialists.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones.