About the job
Critical Energy designs and builds modular power plants that turn heat into electricity using a closed-loop thermodynamic cycle. The company focuses on clean energy solutions for demanding sectors, including AI hyperscalers and data centers, and is backed by leading climate and technology investors.
The Senior Systems Engineer - Thermal & Fluid Dynamics will take a lead role in developing power generation systems for geothermal and waste heat recovery applications. This position involves hands-on work from initial concept through delivery, with a strong emphasis on system-level modeling, thermal management, and fluid flow analysis.
What you will do
- Design, develop, test, and optimize clean energy power generation systems
- Model and analyze thermal and fluid dynamics at the system level, focusing primarily on 1D flow
- Work with components such as heat exchangers, turbines, pumps, cooling and lubrication loops, and other balance-of-plant subsystems
- Integrate system architecture and physics-based modeling to support product development
- Collaborate closely with teams across Systems, Turbomachinery, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Field Operations
What we look for
- Extensive experience in thermal and fluid dynamics engineering
- Ability to work across the full product lifecycle, from concept to delivery
- Comfort with hands-on development and cross-functional teamwork
- Flexibility, willingness to learn, and a strong drive to support company growth
Location
This role is based in Hawthorne, CA.
