Senior Thermal-Hydraulics Analysis Engineer

Valar Atomics

Torrance, Canada

Full Time

Posted July 29, 2026

$151k - $185k

Nuclear Energy

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Listing evidence and provenance

Source: greenhouse View original listing
Freshness: Open in the current public read path; this is not an employer guarantee.Last observed September 29, 2026
Classification: Modern power-system classification not yet published for this listing.Legacy source industry field: Nuclear Energy
Pay provenance: Employer-provided pay

Job Description

As part of the Engineering organization, Models & Simulations develops advanced analytical models that support engineering design, performance prediction, and system optimization.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Thermal-Hydraulics Systems Engineer leads system-level (1-D / network) thermal-hydraulics modelling of the reactor’s primary and secondary loops, balance of plant and power-conversion cycles using Flownex SE. Within the ModSim Engineering Group, the role builds and validates integrated plant models that capture steady-state performance and transient behavior – start-up and shutdown, load changes, loss-of-flow and trip scenarios – and that inform component sizing, control philosophy and cycle optimization (Brayton and supercritical-CO₂). The engineer defines the systems-modelling approach, reconciles Flownex results with CFD-derived coefficients and supplier data, and translates system analyses into engineering decisions and inputs for the wider design and safety effort.
Build, run and maintain integrated Flownex SE network models of primary/secondary loops, balance of plant and power-conversion cycles for steady-state and transient analysis.
Characterize and size components (pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, valves, turbomachinery) and evaluate cycle performance and optimization across Brayton and sCO₂ architectures as required.
Analyze plant transients and control response (start-up/shutdown, load-follow, loss-of-flow, trips) and provide system boundary conditions to the CFD and FEA streams while consuming their loss/heat-transfer coefficients.
Produce calculation packages and system design-basis documentation under NQA-1; provide inputs to safety analysis and interface with detailed CFD models and neutronics power distributions.
Lead verification and validation of system models, set systems-modelling standards, support regulator/customer reviews, and mentor junior systems analysts.
Mentor engineers and train junior team members
Standardize Flownex modelling methods, component libraries and templates, and support the Stream Lead in scoping, estimating and scheduling systems work.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical, Nuclear, Chemical or Aerospace Engineering with emphasis on thermodynamics, heat transfer or thermal-hydraulics systems.
5+ years of professional thermal-hydraulics / plant-systems analysis experience, including lead responsibility on integrated system or cycle models.
Master’s degree (MSc/MEng) or higher in Mechanical, Nuclear, Chemical or Aerospace Engineering with emphasis on thermodynamics, heat transfer or thermal-hydraulics systems.
Flownex SE expertise strongly preferred; otherwise demonstrable depth in a comparable systems/transient code (RELAP5, TRACE, GOTHIC, MELCOR, Modelica/Dymola, Aspen HYSYS Dynamics, Thermoflow / GateCycle) with willingness to adopt Flownex.
Strong applied thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics; closed-loop power-cycle design (Brayton, supercritical-CO₂).
Heat-exchanger thermal/hydraulic design and rating; turbomachinery and pump performance characterization; control-system representation.
Transient and dynamic simulation, including reactor thermal-hydraulics and decay-heat / natural-circulation scenarios.
Property libraries / equations of state (e.g., CoolProp / REFPROP) and helium, molten-salt, sodium, or CO₂ working fluids a strong plus.
Experience under a nuclear or regulated quality programme (NQA-1, ISO 9001, 10 CFR 50 Appendix B) and exposure to NRC/ASME environments.
Scripting/automation of work within defined workflows and quality assurance frameworks.
Track record of mentoring and leading technical systems analysis within a team.

Benefits & Perks

Competitive base salary
Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company
Comprehensive medical benefits
Unlimited PTO
Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite
Generous PPE stipend
High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy
Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement
Direct collaboration with experienced operators, engineers, and industry leaders
The opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up