R&D Thermal Hydraulics Technical Lead

Terrestrial Energy•Bryan, TX

24d•Remote

About The Position

Interested in helping us transform thermal and electric energy? Become a part of the leading Generation-IV nuclear plant development team. This position is remote until the office opens in or around Bryan, TX on or before February 2026, after which time it will be a 100% on site role. Terrestrial Energy is developing for near-term commercial operation, a zero-emissions cogeneration plant for a global industry using its proprietary Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) fission technology in an innovative, small and modular plant design. Over the last 5 years, the Company has recognized the exceptional and unmatched opportunities in US markets created by the policies of the US Federal and States’ governments, and by the actions of the US industrial private sector, including its world leading IT sector developing AI commercial product. The Company recognizes that its path to business success and likely sole path to success, is to wholly align with the US market as a US company, and effect all the organizational changes necessary to achieve this alignment. In pursuit of this objective, Terrestrial Energy initiated a transaction to legally redomicile the business to the US in 2023, which it completed in April 2024, with 100% shareholder support. This transaction was the first step in its US domiciliation strategy. The Company is currently completing a transaction to secure a US exchange (NASDAQ) public stock listing, which is expected to secure the capital resources necessary to complete its US domiciliation as well as execute on its business plan focused on the US market. The Company is focused on building a team of business professionals and leaders in the engineering, R&D, product management and business development areas out of our Charlotte, North Carolina location. These key resources will help build the organization structure and processes in Charlotte, NC, which will be the cornerstone to add talented people to the US team, each of whom: Will offer US market experience and perspectives bringing innovative approaches to problem solving and business plan execution. Has demonstrated exceptional results in past engineering projects. Will offer exceptional leadership and team building capabilities. Has a deep understanding of the requirements for advanced reactor development. Will assist in the creation of the organization architecture and structures based in Charlotte and necessary for the successful design development of the Company IMSR plant. Is capable of flexibility and adaptability at a time of organizational change. Has the skillset and experience that relate to the following role : The R&D Thermal Hydraulics Technical Lead , reporting to the R&D Director , is primarily responsible for leading the design, execution, and analysis of thermal-hydraulic experiments. Responsible for both hands-on experimental work and building and managing a team of engineers to carry out testing, analyze data, and provide valuable insights to improve system performance. The role combines deep technical expertise in thermal hydraulics with the leadership and project management skills needed to drive successful R&D outcomes.

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.

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

Design and Execute Thermal Hydraulic Tests : 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.
Test Data Analysis & Reporting : 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.
Provision of Subject Matter Expertise : 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.
CFD Simulations and Optimization : 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.
Scaling and Experimental Setup Design : 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.
Leadership & Team Management : 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.
Collaboration with Cross-functional Teams : 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.
Presentations and Documentation : 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.
Innovation and Improvement : 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.