Chief Thermal Engineer

As the Chief Thermal Engineer at Fluence, you will lead:

• Technical Authority for Thermal Management:
• Set Fluence’s engineering standards for design and development of liquid cooling systems for BESS, ensuring optimal thermal management of battery modules, power electronics, and other system components.
• Be the subject matter expert for all aspects of fluid systems design, including custom chiller design, fluid flow, and pressure management.
• Ensure thermal designs meet stringent performance, safety, and reliability standards, balancing innovation with practical manufacturability.
• Work with Director of Emerging Technologies to evaluate future thermal management technologies and qualifying applicability to Fluence’s products.


• Liquid Cooling Systems Design:
• Oversee design of advanced custom chillers, integrating them seamlessly into the BESS to ensure efficient and reliable heat dissipation.
• Oversee the design of cold plates and manage pump reliability to ensure consistent cooling across all operational scenarios.
• Optimize fluid flow and pressure management systems, ensuring the correct balance for maximum cooling efficiency and system longevity.
• Ensure material compatibility and corrosion resistance are considered throughout the system design, enhancing the durability and reliability of the cooling systems.


• Thermal Analysis and Simulation:
• Utilize advanced simulation tools such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and thermal FEA to model, simulate, and validate cooling system designs.
• Guide detailed analysis to predict and optimize fluid dynamics, temperature distribution, and cooling performance across all BESS components.
• Use simulation data to drive continuous improvement in pump and chiller reliability, cold plate performance, and overall cooling efficiency.


• Validation and Testing:
• Lead the testing and validation strategy of all liquid cooling systems, ensuring they meet both operational and environmental requirements.
• Review and approve test plans for custom chillers, cold plates, and fluid system components, ensuring the cooling system’s reliability over its lifecycle.
• Analyze testing data and adjust designs as necessary to meet performance objectives.


• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Work closely with other Chief Engineers and with mechanical, electrical, and battery engineering teams to ensure thermal management systems integrate seamlessly into the overall BESS design.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure liquid cooling systems are optimized for large-scale production.
• Serve as the technical liaison with external partners and suppliers for fluid systems components, ensuring alignment with technical specifications and reliability standards.


• Regulatory Compliance and Safety:
• Ensure all thermal designs comply with industry standards and regulations for thermal management systems in energy storage applications.
• Support certification and approval processes by providing technical documentation and ensuring all fluid and thermal systems meet regulatory requirements.

What we look for you to bring to Fluence:

• Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in thermal management design, with a strong focus on liquid cooling systems for high-performance applications.
• Expertise in thermal analysis, CFD, and FEA for optimizing and validating cooling solutions.
• Proven track record in designing custom chillers, managing fluid flow, pressure management, and developing cold plates and pumps for high-reliability systems.
• Experience in material compatibility and corrosion resistance considerations for thermal systems.
• Ability to lead engineering teams and manage complex thermal projects from concept to production.
• Proficiency in using thermal simulation tools such as ANSYS, Star-CCM+, or similar platforms.


• Preferred Skills:
• Experience in the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) industry or similar high-performance industries.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills with a collaborative approach to cross-functional work.


• Key Skills:
• Excellent problem-solving and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Ability to work in diverse cultural environments with global teams and customers.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive quick resolution to issues and to innovate.


• Travel: 25-40% domestic and international travel may be required.