Critical Energy is an innovative, early-stage, venture-backed cleantech company on a mission to accelerate the global energy transition through abundant, low-cost clean energy. Founded by an ex-SpaceX engineer, Critical Energy designs and manufactures factory-built, modular power plants. These rapidly deployable systems convert heat into electricity using a closed-loop thermodynamic cycle and can be installed in just weeks.
Critical Energy’s technology delivers high-efficiency, 24/7 power for geothermal applications and waste heat recovery (including from data center gas turbines), making clean energy practical and cost-effective for demanding sectors like AI hyperscalers and data centers. Backed by top climate and technology investors, Critical Energy is scaling rapidly.
Our Mission:To build an abundant, low-cost, 100% clean energy future through groundbreaking geothermal innovation.
We are a team of passionate engineers, designers, and visionaries building cutting-edge solutions to meet the world’s energy needs with 100% clean energy. We are in the initial stages of development and building our team. This is your chance to join on the ground floor of something big! If you are ready to work at a fun, fast-paced, groundbreaking organization that is positioned to revolutionize geothermal energy, apply today!
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, TurbomachineryAbout the Role
Critical Energy is hiring a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to design our next generation of power-generating turbines. You’ll own your designs from concept through production and into the field, working from individual parts up to full system integration. You’ll work closely with the Turbomachinery team and partner with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Systems, and Field Ops, often serving as the link between them.
This role suits someone who wants broad ownership, likes stretching beyond their comfort zone, and wants to see their designs built and running. Direct turbomachinery experience is a significant plus but not required. Title will be based on experience.
What You’ll Do
Own detailed CAD models, layouts, and drawings (ASME Y14.5) for turbomachinery hardware, and review designs with other engineers
Validate designs with hand calculations and FEA
Partner with experts in aero, fluid systems, electrical, materials, and test to balance performance, reliability, and manufacturability
Carry your hardware through fabrication, assembly, and test, and work directly with machinists and technicians to solve production issues
Support Field Ops after delivery and bring what you learn back into the design
Maintain design documentation, including design reviews, specifications, and BOMs
Develop concepts for new machines and fluid systems
What You Bring
Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience
5+ years in mechanical design on complex machinery, including parts you designed that were built and assembled into a working machine
Strong first-principles fundamentals in statics, dynamics, fluids, thermodynamics, and materials, including stress and thermal hand calcs
Experience with FEA and/or CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS)
Production-quality drawings with GD&T, and a habit of working with machinists to make them better
Working knowledge of DFM across 5-axis machining, additive, casting, forging, precision grinding, and gear/spline hobbing
Working knowledge of machine elements and secondary systems: fastener preloads, sealing interfaces and seal selection, high-performance polymers for bushings and seals, and piping, valves, pumps, sensors, and actuators
Proficiency in a modern CAD package, including building robust assemblies, and a willingness to ramp up on Siemens NX right away
Clear, direct communication, including giving and taking feedback on technical issues and mistakes
Nice to Have
Turbomachinery design experience (gas turbines, steam turbines, pumps), including rotors, bearings, seals, casings, and shafts
Rotordynamics, vibration, and fatigue analysis; leakage flow and thrust management
Hands-on experience making and assembling parts yourself
Siemens NX / Teamcenter
Mechanical routing or surface modeling
Base salary ranges from $140-200k per annum
Equity options
100% company-covered Platinum or HD/HSA (with company contribution) medical
100% company-covered dental and vision
Daily catered lunch
Several annual social and team building outings
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field
- 5+ years of experience in a mechanical design role
- Proficiency in applying Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (ASME Y14.5)
- Experience with a modern CAD package and Siemens NX
- Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) and/or computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software
What We Do
At Critical Energy, we’re building factory-made, modular power plants that convert heat into electricity — starting with geothermal. Our systems ship in standard containers and install in weeks, not years. Designed from the ground up with custom turbomachinery, our units are adaptable to changing resource conditions, temperature ranges, and customer needs. This is 24/7 grid-scale energy — made fast, scalable, and cost-effective.
