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Thermal Hydraulic Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Natel Energy

Hydraulic Design Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

$120K - $170K/yr

You will work with other hydraulic design engineers at Natel to complete regular design deliverables for customers and partners, aid the commercial team with proposals, conduct R&D-related analysis ...

Socket.dev

Thermal Hydraulics Analyst

Idaho Falls, ID · On-site

$95K - $195K/yr

... hydraulic analyses of reactor systems and experiments, develop RELAP5-3D models from design ... Level 2: Bachelor of Science in nuclear engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, or a ...

Oklo

Thermal Hydraulic Test Engineer

Idaho Falls, ID · On-site

We are searching for a Thermal Hydraulic Test Engineer to join our team. Position Description Oklo is transforming the future of energy, and we're looking for a Thermal Hydraulic Test Engineer with ...

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Thermal Hydraulic Design Engineer information

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$57K

$94.3K

$116.5K

How much do thermal hydraulic design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for thermal hydraulic design engineer in the United States is $94,322.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $107,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a thermal hydraulic design engineer?

Thermal Hydraulic Design Engineers are professionals who specialize in the analysis and design of systems that involve the flow of fluids and the transfer of heat. They commonly work in industries such as nuclear power, energy, and manufacturing, ensuring that equipment and processes operate safely and efficiently under varying thermal and hydraulic conditions. Their work involves using advanced simulation tools to model fluid dynamics and heat transfer, optimizing designs for performance and safety. These engineers also collaborate closely with other engineering disciplines to solve complex thermal and fluid-related challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a thermal hydraulic design engineer?

To thrive as a Thermal Hydraulic Design Engineer, you need a strong background in mechanical or nuclear engineering, with expertise in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with simulation software such as ANSYS Fluent, RELAP5, or TRACE, as well as familiarity with CAD tools and industry standards, is typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are vital soft skills for interpreting complex data and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure the safe, efficient, and innovative design of thermal hydraulic systems in energy and industrial applications.

What are some typical challenges a thermal hydraulic design engineer faces when working on new reactor designs?

Thermal Hydraulic Design Engineers often face the challenge of ensuring that their designs meet strict safety and regulatory standards while optimizing for efficiency and cost. Balancing complex thermal and fluid dynamics calculations with real-world constraints, such as material limitations and space requirements, is common. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—such as mechanical, structural, and safety engineers—is essential to address integration issues and validate thermal performance. Staying updated on evolving industry codes and simulation tools is also crucial for success in this role.

What is the difference between Thermal Hydraulic Design Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectThermal Hydraulic Design EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical, Nuclear, or Mechanical Engineering; relevant certificationsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering; professional licensure often preferred
Work EnvironmentDesigning thermal and fluid systems for power plants, reactors, or HVAC systemsDesigning, analyzing, and testing mechanical systems across various industries
Industry UsagePower generation, nuclear, aerospace, HVAC

While both roles involve engineering principles, a Thermal Hydraulic Design Engineer specializes in thermal-fluid systems, often within energy and nuclear sectors, whereas a Mechanical Engineer has a broader scope across multiple industries. The roles share similar credentials but differ in focus and application.

What does a thermal hydraulic design engineer do?

A thermal hydraulic design engineer develops and analyzes systems that manage heat transfer and fluid flow in nuclear, aerospace, or energy industries. They use simulation tools and adhere to safety standards to optimize system performance and ensure safety. The role often requires knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and relevant codes or regulations.

What are popular job titles related to Thermal Hydraulic Design Engineer jobs?

For Thermal Hydraulic Design Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Thermal Hydraulic Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,322 per year, or $45.3 per hour.

Core Thermal-Hydraulics Engineer

Bethesda, MD • On-site

Ocean Atomics LLC
See more jobs at Ocean Atomics LLCexternal

$110K - $240K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

The ocean is the largest undeveloped frontier on earth - and the next chapter of abundant energy will be written at sea. We're building the infrastructure to power it.
About Ocean Atomics (OA)
Ocean Atomics is an American company designing, licensing, and assembling a standardized nuclear electric power plant and the surrounding support systems for maritime applications. We will install these plants on any vessel built to our nuclear-ready standards, and will provide end-to-end sustainment in our planned nuclear lifecycle dockyard. We will help develop the licensed operators to unlock this new capability for your energy intensive application at sea. To move fast and to lead the creation of this new market, we are leveraging the compact, proven systems enabled by water-cooled reactors.
Our mission
Scale nuclear energy. Power generations.
Our vision
A maritime commons thriving with abundant, economical, modern, and safe nuclear-powered activity - built, serviced, and staffed by re-industrialized American shipyards and people.
Role Summary
The Core Thermal-Hydraulics engineer performs design and analysis of coolant flowing through the core, primary systems, and safety systems under normal and transient conditions. This role is foundational to the reactor systems design, and the effects of ship motions and ship-driven space constraints demand uncommon levels of innovation and skill.
What You'll Do
  • Design and analyze coolant flow through the core and primary systems, evaluating pressure drop, flow distribution, mixing, and heat transfer to optimize performance.
  • Develop and refine thermal-hydraulic analysis methods, models, and correlations (e.g., subchannel, system, and CFD analyses) to support core and primary system design.
  • Establish thermal margins and operating limits (e.g., DNBR, flow-induced effects) and feed results into design and safety analyses.
  • Partner with the testing team to prioritize test campaigns, define instrumentation and conditions, and target the data most valuable to the design.
  • Incorporate test data into analytical models via validating, calibrating, and benchmarking to reduce uncertainty and improve design fidelity.
What You Bring
  • Bachelor's degree in nuclear or mechanical engineering required (advanced degree preferred).
  • Experience in reactor thermal/hydraulic design and analysis.
  • Proficiency with thermal/hydraulic and/or CFD codes (e.g., COBRA, VIPRE, STAR-CCM+, or equivalent).
  • Strong grounding in fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and two-phase flow.
  • Experience integrating experimental or test data into analytical models.

Don't meet every bullet? We'd still like to hear from you. If you're excited by the mission and most of this resonates, apply.
Export control notice
This role involves access to information subject to U.S. export control laws, including unclassified nuclear technology governed by the U.S. Department of Energy under 10 CFR Part 810. Depending on a candidate's status, access may require DOE authorization, which Ocean Atomics may apply for. Any offer is contingent on your ability to work in compliance with these requirements. We evaluate all applicants regardless of citizenship or national origin, except where required by law.
Why this matters
Every industry on Earth needs scalable, clean energy, and the ocean is the ideal place to unlock it. Joining Ocean Atomics means building real, lasting infrastructure - the kind that powers generations. The world needs abundant energy. Let's make it happen.
Ocean Atomics LLC is an equal opportunity employer.
We are committed to a workplace free of discrimination and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations; if you need an accommodation during the application process, contact info@oceanatomics.com.

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