Arbor Energy

Sr.ThermodynamicsPerformanceEngineer

$165–180k El Segundo, California, United States; Washington, District of Columbia, United States; Huntsville, Alabama, United States
The Brief

“Sr. Thermodynamics Performance Engineer at Arbor Energy. Skills: thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, dynamic simulation, system-level modeling, Python, MATLAB/Simulink, Modelica. reconcile model output against test data to drive model refinement and surface component-level insights. Own the architecture call on how our dynamic modeling stack should evolve over time — what platform, what fidelity, on what evidence”

Industry & Context.

Problems you'll solve

reconcile model output against test data to drive model refinement and surface component-level insights

What They're Looking For.

Must Have

6+ years of experience in cycle performance analysis, thermodynamic systems modeling, or dynamic process simulation, fundamentals in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer, applied to integrated multi-component systems, Demonstrated experience building dynamic simulation models of fluid/thermal systems in an industry-grade 1D system simulation platform, Working knowledge of integrated power loop equipment — heat exchanger sizing, compressor/pump curves, valve Cv, piping hydraulics — and how each shows up in dynamic response, Programming proficiency: Python for data reduction and one of MATLAB/Simulink, Modelica, or equivalent for modeling, ownership mentality and comfort driving rigorous analysis in a fast-paced startup environment

Nice to Have

Deep experience with industry dynamic simulation platforms (such as GT-SUITE, Modelica/Dymola, NPSS, Flownex, Simcenter Amesim, or equivalent) applied to turbomachinery, power cycles, or closed-loop thermal-fluid systems, Background in nuclear thermal-hydraulics with fast-dynamic single-phase modeling experience (RELAP, TRACE, MARS, ATHLET, GAMMA, or equivalent), particularly applied to gas-cooled or sCO₂ reactor concepts, Working knowledge of real-fluid EOS handling (REFPROP, CoolProp, Span-Wagner) and turbomachinery map interpolation near critical conditions, History of making and defending tool/methodology decisions in a constrained engineering environment, Experience with supercritical CO₂, closed Brayton cycles, high-pressure systems (100+ bar), or other high-density working fluids, Experience coupling plant models to control systems for HIL testing, controller validation, FMU export, or operator training simulators, Hands-on plant startup, commissioning, or field troubleshooting on first-of-a-kind or developmental systems, Background in rocketry, gas turbine, advanced reactors, or high-performance turbomachinery environments

What You'll Do.

reconcile model output against test data to drive model refinement and surface component-level insights

Own the architecture call on how our dynamic modeling stack should evolve over time — what platform

Build property tables

turbomachinery map handling

heat exchanger transient models

and combustor representations appropriate to the cycle and fidelity required

Develop simulation infrastructure — scripted scenario runs

validation cases — that makes the model usable by engineers beyond yourself

How You'll Work.

Team & Collaboration

Collaborate with combustion, turbomachinery, and heat exchanger engineers to integrate component data into system-level; collaborate with controls and software teams on closed-loop simulation and HIL planning

Free ATS check

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