Lead Thermal Design Engineer

• Lead the end-to-end design and development of high-temperature solar receivers optimized for solar field integration • Develop thermal and optical models to predict receiver performance, including flux distribution, heat transfer efficiency, and thermal stress analysis • Select and qualify materials capable of withstanding extreme temperatures (800°C–1000°C+), thermal cycling, and high solar flux environments • Design receiver geometries (cavity, external, tubular, particle-based) to maximize energy absorption while minimizing thermal losses and mechanical fatigue • Collaborate with solar collection and controls teams to optimize aiming strategies and flux distribution on receiver surfaces • Interface with heat exchanger and thermal storage engineers to ensure seamless integration of receiver output with downstream systems • Develop and execute testing protocols for receiver prototypes, including high-flux testing and accelerated life cycle evaluation • Drive design-for-manufacturing initiatives to reduce receiver cost and improve producibility at scale • Stay current with advances in receiver technology, high-temperature coatings, and selective absorber materials

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or related field; Master's or PhD preferred • 7+ years of experience in thermal systems design, with significant focus on high-temperature receiver or heat exchanger development • Demonstrated expertise in solar thermal receiver design for tower-based or central receiver systems • Strong background in heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation), thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics • Proficiency with thermal simulation tools (ANSYS, COMSOL, SolarPILOT, or equivalent) • Experience with high-temperature materials including ceramics, refractory metals, and advanced alloys • Hands-on experience taking receiver designs from concept through prototype testing and into production • Experience with molten salt, liquid sodium, or particle-based heat transfer media • Knowledge of selective absorber coatings and high-temperature surface treatments • Familiarity with optical modeling and ray-tracing software for flux analysis • Background in solar field optimization and aiming point strategies • Publications or patents in solar thermal receiver technology