R&D Thermal Hydraulics Technical Lead

Terrestrial Energy•Bryan, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Terrestrial Energy is seeking a talented R&D Thermal Hydraulics Technical Lead to join their team in Charlotte, North Carolina. This role is crucial for the development and deployment of their Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) small modular nuclear plant. The company has recently merged and is now publicly listed (NASDAQ “IMSR”), securing capital for growth. This is a unique opportunity to be part of an expanding company in the advanced reactor technology sector. The ideal candidate will possess strong US market experience, innovative problem-solving skills, exceptional leadership, and a deep understanding of advanced reactor development requirements. They should be adaptable to a fast-growing business environment and capable of contributing to a culture of excellence.

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

Leading the design, execution, and analysis of thermal-hydraulic experiments.
Overseeing both hands-on experimental work and managing a team of engineers for testing, data analysis, and system performance improvement.
Designing and executing thermal hydraulics tests, ensuring test designs and setups meet experimental objectives and gathering reliable data.
Guiding the collection, processing, and in-depth analysis of test data, and collaborating with R&D Data Scientists to improve simulation models.
Presenting results, assumptions, risks, and proposed solutions to the R&D Director.
Providing expert advice on thermal hydraulics test plans and experimental methodologies, and reviewing related internal and external documents.
Preparing meshes for 2D and 3D CFD models, performing simulations, and conducting sensitivity analyses and optimization studies.
Performing scaling analyses and evaluating scaling distortions to ensure the validity of experimental test setups.
Identifying sensor locations and instrumentation requirements, and guiding the development of test equipment and system configurations.
Building and leading a team of test engineers, providing guidance, troubleshooting, and ensuring efficient team collaboration.
Fostering a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence within the team.
Working closely with the R&D Project Coordinator to maintain test schedules and project status.
Collaborating with the TEI Engineering team to support design development and optimize test setups.
Preparing comprehensive reports and presentations for internal stakeholders.
Presenting proposals for future testing paths based on experimental findings.
Contributing to the development of new test methodologies, tools, and technologies.
Ensuring ongoing improvements in experimental design, analysis techniques, and test execution efficiency.