A

Arbor Energy

BiCRS-based CO2 removal credits provider

Senior Thermodynamics Performance Engineer

Thermal & Fluids EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeEl Segundo, CA, USA

About the Job

Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Nuclear, or a related Engineering field.
  • At least 6 years of experience in cycle performance analysis, thermodynamic systems modeling, or dynamic process simulation.
  • Strong fundamentals in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer, applied to integrated multi-component systems.
  • Demonstrated experience building dynamic simulation models of fluid/thermal systems in an industry-grade 1D system simulation platform, with a clear point of view on tool tradeoffs for closed-loop power cycle applications.
  • Working knowledge of integrated power loop equipment, including heat exchanger sizing, compressor/pump curves, valve Cv, and piping hydraulics, and how each affects dynamic response.
  • Programming proficiency in Python for data reduction and automation, and one of MATLAB/Simulink, Modelica, or an equivalent modeling tool.
  • Strong ownership mentality and comfort driving rigorous analysis in a fast-paced startup environment.

Responsibilities

  • Own and advance the integrated steady-state and dynamic cycle performance model for the direct-fired supercritical CO₂ Brayton power loop through the hardware lifecycle.
  • Run performance prediction and sensitivity studies ahead of test campaigns, reconcile model output against test data, refine the model, and identify component-level insights.
  • Determine how the dynamic modeling stack should evolve, including platform and fidelity, based on evidence.
  • Build property tables, turbomachinery map handling, heat exchanger transient models, and combustor representations appropriate to the cycle and required fidelity.
  • Collaborate with combustion, turbomachinery, and heat exchanger engineers to integrate component data into system-level models, and with controls and software teams on closed-loop simulation and hardware-in-the-loop planning.
  • Develop simulation infrastructure, including scripted scenario runs, parameter sweeps, and validation cases, so engineers beyond the role-holder can use the model.

Desired Qualifications

  • Deep experience with industry dynamic simulation platforms such as GT-SUITE, Modelica/Dymola, NPSS, Flownex, or Simcenter Amesim, or equivalent, applied to turbomachinery, power cycles, or closed-loop thermal-fluid systems.
  • Background in nuclear thermal-hydraulics with fast-dynamic single-phase modeling experience using RELAP, TRACE, MARS, ATHLET, GAMMA, or equivalent, particularly for gas-cooled or supercritical CO₂ reactor concepts.
  • Working knowledge of real-fluid equation-of-state handling using REFPROP, CoolProp, or Span-Wagner, and turbomachinery map interpolation near critical conditions.
  • History of making and defending tool or methodology decisions in a constrained engineering environment.
  • Experience with supercritical CO₂, closed Brayton cycles, high-pressure systems (100+ bar), or other high-density working fluids.
  • Experience coupling plant models to control systems for hardware-in-the-loop testing, controller validation, FMU export, or operator training simulators.
  • Hands-on plant startup, commissioning, or field troubleshooting on first-of-a-kind or developmental systems.
  • Background in rocketry, gas turbines, advanced reactors, or high-performance turbomachinery environments.

About the Company

Arbor Energy

BiCRS-based CO2 removal credits provider

Arbor Energy removes CO2 from the atmosphere using Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS), combining natural carbon drawdown with engineered steps to ensure permanent storage. Biomass naturally pulls CO2 from the air, and Arbor couples this with engineered storage, selling carbon removal credits and securing multi-year offtake agreements with governments and organizations. The approach differs by pairing natural drawdown with engineered permanence and by offering two predictable revenue streams—carbon credits and long-term contracts—while prioritizing energy security and integration of nature into urban spaces. Its goal is to remove more than 2 gigatons of CO2 per year by 2050, advancing legacy-emission reduction and global decarbonization.

Company size
51-200
Company stage
Series A
Total funding
$96M
Headquarters
El Segundo, CA
Founded
2022

Recently Posted Jobs

Explore more opportunities at Arbor Energy

See more jobs