Senior Systems Engineer, Thermal & Fluid Dynamics

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Systems Thermal & Fluid Dynamics LocationHawthorne, CAEmployment TypeFull timeLocation TypeOn-siteDepartmentEngineeringCompensationSenior EngineerBase Salary Range $140K – $200KThe stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base salary range for Senior Engineers in the Los Angeles metropolitan area and excludes additional earnings such as equity and benefits. Full-time employees and their dependents are eligible for fully company-covered healthcare options including Platinum Blue of CA medical, Guardian dental, and Guardian vision via VSP. Employees also receive a generous daily stipend for catered lunch, 401k opportunity, equity options, and numerous company-funded social and team-building events. Company Description:Critical Energy is an innovative, early-stage, venture-backed cleantech company on a mission to accelerate the global energy transition through abundant, low-cost clean energy. Founded by an ex-SpaceX engineer, Critical Energy designs and manufactures factory-built, modular power plants. These rapidly deployable systems convert heat into electricity using a closed-loop thermodynamic cycle and can be installed in just weeks.Critical Energy’s technology delivers high-efficiency, 24/7 power for geothermal applications and waste heat recovery (including from data center gas turbines), making clean energy practical and cost-effective for demanding sectors like AI hyperscalers and data centers. Backed by top climate and technology investors, Critical Energy is scaling rapidly.Our Mission:To build an abundant, low-cost, 100% clean energy future through groundbreaking geothermal innovation.We are a team of passionate engineers, designers, and visionaries building cutting-edge solutions to meet the world’s energy needs with 100% clean energy. We are in the initial stages of development and building our team. This is your chance to join on the ground floor of something big! If you are ready to work at a fun, fast-paced, groundbreaking organization that is positioned to revolutionize geothermal energy, apply today!About the Role:We are seeking a versatile Senior Systems Engineer with experience in thermal and fluid dynamics to support the design, development, testing, and optimization of clean energy power generation systems. Collaborating with engineers across the company, this Systems Engineer will take ownership from cradle to grave and help drive the project through completion. This role focuses on system-level modeling, thermal management, and fluid flow analysis, primarily at the 1D level, across components such as heat exchangers, turbines, pumps, cooling & lubrication loops, and other balance-of-plant subsystems.The ideal candidate will bridge system architecture, physics-based modeling, and product development, ensuring industry-leading performance, reliability, and integration of complex energy systems.The role will involve collaborating closely with other members of the Systems team in addition to Turbomachinery, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Field Ops, and others. Candidates must be willing to be flexible in their work and be willing to embrace new learning opportunities and expand their comfort zone to benefit the growth of Critical Energy.The title of this role may be adjusted based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.Experience specifically with power generation or process plant systems is not a requirement but is a significant bonus.Responsibilities:Define system requirements, interfaces, and performance budgets for thermal and fluid subsystemsOwn system PFD and P&IDDevelop sub-system and system-level models to calculate steady, transient, and off-design thermal and fluid behavior using commercial analysis tools or in-house tools (e.g., Python code)Support system trade studies evaluating performance, efficiency, and cost impactsSupport the integration of components including heat exchangers, pumps, fluid management systems, piping networks, and other...