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Chief Thermal Engineer

Virginia, United States (Hybrid)

Chief Thermal Engineer

1 Month ago • 10 Years + • Manufacturing

About the job

3 skills required for this role

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cross-functional-collaboration

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cross-functional

Job Description

Fluence seeks a Chief Thermal Engineer to lead the design & validation of liquid cooling solutions for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Must have 10+ years of experience in thermal management design, expertise in CFD & FEA, and proven track record in designing custom chillers & managing fluid flow.

Must have:

Thermal Management Design
CFD & FEA Expertise
Custom Chiller Design
Fluid Flow Management

Good to have:

BESS Industry Experience
Thermal Simulation Tools
Material Compatibility
Corrosion Resistance

Perks:

Global Team
Travel Opportunities

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About Fluence: Fluence (Nasdaq: FLNC) is a global market leader delivering intelligent energy storage and optimization software for renewables and storage. Our solutions and operational services are helping to create a more resilient grid and unlock the full potential of renewable portfolios. With gigawatts of successful implementations across nearly 50 markets, we are transforming the way we power our world for a more sustainable future. For more information, please visit fluenceenergy.com.

OUR CULTURE AND VALUES

We are guided by our passion to transform the way we power our world. Achieving our goals requires creativity, diversity of ideas and backgrounds, and building trust to effect change and move with speed.

We are Leading

Fluence currently has thousands of MW of energy storage projects operated or awarded worldwide in addition to the thousands of MW of projects managed by our trading platform—and we are growing every day.

We are Responsible

Fluence is defined by its unwavering commitment to safety, quality, and integrity.

We are Agile

We achieve our goals and meet our customer’s needs by cultivating curiosity, adaptability, and self-reflection in our teams.

We are Fun

We value the diversity in thought and experience of our coworkers and customers. Through honest, forthcoming, and respectful communications we work to ensure that Fluence is an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

The Chief Thermal Engineer will be the technical authority for the design, development, and validation of complex liquid cooling solutions for Fluence’s Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This role will lead the development of high-performance thermal management systems with a focus on custom chiller design, fluid flow and pressure management, cold plate design, pump reliability, material compatibility, and corrosion resistance. The ideal candidate will report to the Chief BESS Engineer and will utilize expertise in fluid systems design to deliver liquid cooling solutions that offer production-level reliability and optimized thermal performance.

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.

Fluence IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER and fully subscribes to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity to ensure that all applicants and employees are considered for hire, promotion, and job status without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital or familial status.

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