Thermal Engineer, Turbomachinery

Posted 8/19/2026 · last confirmed live 8/26/2026

About Valar Atomics 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. The Team   As part of the  Engineering  organization,  Power   Con v ers ion  develops the technologies that efficiently transform reactor-generated heat into usable electrical  power . The team focuses on maximizing system performance, reliability, and commercial viability.   The Role   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.   Key Responsibilities   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 Will Be Successful in This Role If   You are excited to be a part of a complex turbomachinery product from the beginning   You thrive in ambiguous environments without defined turbomachinery design best practices   You want to be part of turbomachinery design beyond a singular aerodynamic, structural or manufacturing perspective   Basic Qualifications   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   Preferred Skills and Experience   Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering    Experience with turbomachinery in a design or test environment   Experience with conjugate heat transfer analysis   Experience with heat exchanger design   Experience with supercritical C02   Experience analyzing turbomachinery at a component design level   What We Offer    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 Equal Employment Opportunity Statement 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

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