R&D Thermal Hydraulics Technical Lead

Terrestrial Energy•Bryan, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Terrestrial Energy is a US developer of advanced, Generation IV nuclear reactors, specifically their Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) small modular nuclear plant. The company has recently completed a merger and is publicly listed (NASDAQ “IMSR”), securing capital for growth. They are building a team of high-performing professionals in engineering, R&D, product management, and business development at their Charlotte, North Carolina headquarters. The company seeks individuals with US market experience, a track record of exceptional performance in engineering projects, strong leadership and team-building capabilities, a deep understanding of advanced reactor development requirements, and the ability to thrive in a fast-growing, adaptable business environment. The R&D Thermal Hydraulics Technical Lead reports to the R&D Director and is responsible for leading the design, execution, and analysis of thermal-hydraulic experiments. This role involves both hands-on experimental work and managing a team of engineers to conduct testing, analyze data, and provide insights for system performance improvement. It requires deep technical expertise in thermal hydraulics combined with leadership and project management skills.

Requirements

Master’s degree or higher in science, engineering or related field (preference to fluid flow and heat transfer fields).
A minimum of 4 years of hands-on experience in a research laboratory or R&D environment, with a focus on thermal hydraulic design and analysis, particularly within the power industry.
Extensive CFD experience using tools such as ANSYS Fluent and system-level thermal-hydraulic codes like Flownex.
Proven track record in experimental design, test rig development, and data analysis from thermal hydraulic loop tests.
Experience leading and mentoring technical teams, ensuring project delivery and meeting milestones.
Strong knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer fundamentals, with practical experience in the design, execution, and analysis of complex tests.
Experience with experimental design and the application of statistics/data analysis for experimental evaluation.
Familiarity with the working principles of pumps, heat exchangers, and other thermal hydraulic equipment.
Ability to manage shifting priorities and deadlines, while maintaining a high standard of work.
Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to foster strong relationships across teams and with external stakeholders.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in USA without the need for sponsorship for employment visa status.
Successful candidate must be able to access and use information subject to U.S. Export Control Laws, which mandate all citizenships (including dual citizenships) be from the U.S. Department of Energy’s List of Generally Authorized Countries (10 CFR Part 810 Appendix A) unless a specific authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy is obtained or unless you are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or protected individual under the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Act (8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with simulation software for thermal-hydraulic analysis, in addition to CFD tools.
Knowledge of molten salt nuclear reactor working principles.
Experience in industries such as nuclear, energy, or aerospace, where thermal-hydraulic testing plays a critical role.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of thermal hydraulics tests, ensuring test designs and setups meet experimental objectives.
Oversee the creation of detailed test matrices and ensure successful execution of experiments to gather reliable data.
Guide the collection, processing, and in-depth analysis of test data.
Collaborate with R&D Data Scientists to improve simulation models based on experimental findings.
Present results, assumptions, risks, and proposed solutions to the R&D Director.
Provide expert advice on the development of thermal hydraulics test plans and experimental methodologies.
Review and interpret internal and external documents related to test identification, design development, and experimental activities.
Prepare meshes for 2D and 3D CFD models for various geometries, perform steady-state and transient simulations, and conduct sensitivity analyses and optimization studies to support experimental designs.
Perform scaling analyses and evaluate scaling distortions to ensure the validity of experimental test setups.
Identify sensor locations and instrumentation requirements and guide the development of test equipment and system configurations.
Build and lead a team of test engineers, providing hands-on guidance throughout the testing process, troubleshooting, and ensuring efficient team collaboration.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence.
Work closely with the R&D Project Coordinator to maintain and update test schedules and project status.
Collaborate with the TEI Engineering team to support design development and optimize test setups.
Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations for internal stakeholders, including test results, assumptions, risks, and constraints.
Present proposals for future testing paths based on experimental findings.
Contribute to the development of new test methodologies, tools, and technologies to enhance testing capabilities.
Ensure ongoing improvements in experimental design, analysis techniques, and the efficiency of test execution.