About the role
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 Thermal-Fluids 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 Thermal-Fluids 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.