Technical Fellow, Thermal Engineering

X-energy • Rockville, MD

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This role serves as a subject matter expert (SME) and provides strategic guidance and deep technical expertise to ensure the optimal design, integration, and performance of complex systems. The Technical Fellow will leverage their extensive knowledge of thermal engineering and thermal hydraulics principles, heat exchanger design, and practices to optimize systems, processes, and the engineering organization. This role requires a blend of technical expertise and problem-solving capabilities to ensure that all system components—people, technology, materials, information, and energy—work together seamlessly to meet project and organizational goals. The Technical Fellow will collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance engineering and design practices, influence product and system architectures, and contribute to the continuous improvement of systems integration, performance, and efficiency.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline from an accredited university or college.
• Typically, seventeen years of total work experience with a minimum of ten years of experience directly related to the designated discipline.
• Must have a minimum of two of the following criteria: Authorship or co-authorship of peer-reviewed papers or technical publications. Proven track record of innovative problem-solving and contributions to significant projects within the organization. Recognition by industry peers through awards or commendations. Involvement in professional associations. Speaking at professional conferences.
• Ph.D. in the specific discipline can substitute for authorship of peer-reviewed or technical publications.

Responsibilities

• Act as a SME within the organization, providing direction and vision for analysis initiatives.
• Lead efforts to define and implement thermal engineering principles and thermal systems design architectures that meet current and future business needs.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to engineering teams, managers, and other key stakeholders.
• Advocate for best practices and guide technical decision-making.
• Lead efforts to optimize system designs, analyses, processes, and components across multiple disciplines to enhance performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Ensure all subsystems are fully integrated, ensuring seamless operation across complex environments.
• Drive innovation by exploring and implementing advanced technologies, tools, and methodologies in thermal engineering for high temperature reactor & plant components such as heat exchangers.
• Identify areas for improvement within engineering workflows and systems processes and implement improvements to increase operational excellence.
• Work closely with product managers, engineers, designers, and other stakeholders to translate high-level business and technical requirements into robust, scalable systems.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure alignment of technical goals with overall company objectives.
• Take a holistic approach to problem-solving, addressing both technical and non-technical challenges.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to system design, performance, and integration.
• Develop and enforce technical standards and best practices in thermal performance evaluation and thermal systems / heat exchanger design engineering.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, standards, and internal policies.
• Represent the organization at industry conferences, technical forums, and seminars.
• Publish white papers, case studies, or technical articles to share knowledge, influence industry trends, and enhance the organization's reputation as a thought leader in thermal analysis & thermal performance assessment methods.
• Contribute to the continuous development of the engineering organization's capabilities by improving methodologies, tools, and processes.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and technical excellence.
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to assess the success of thermal performance evaluation and thermal systems / heat exchanger design engineering initiatives.
• Monitor performance and provide regular updates to senior leadership on progress, challenges, and opportunities.
• Maintain professional demeanor and behavior at all times in all forms of communication.
• Perform other duties as assigned by manager.

Benefits

• X Energy, LLC offers a robust benefits package that includes a 401K plan with an employer match, Medical/Dental /Vision Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Time Off, and a Tuition Reimbursement/Professional Development policy that supports the continuing education of our employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees