Mechanical Design Engineer (Turbomachinery)

We are seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design and analysis of rotors and casings for turbomachinery in a supercritical CO₂-based power cycle. This role involves conceptual design, assembly architecture selection, material selection, and structural analysis, ensuring high-performance, reliable operation under demanding conditions. The ideal candidate has expertise in bolted joint and seal design, finite element analysis (FEA), and thermomechanical analysis, with preferred experience in creep analysis and rotordynamics.

Arbor’s team of world-class engineers and scientists are developing a scalable, low-cost approach to Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) based on modern rocket engine technology. BECCS is a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approach that uses biomass to produce energy and remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it permanently underground, while ensuring food security, rural livelihoods, and biodiversity are not affected. Our modular technology leverages the power density of supercritical CO2 to enable compact gasification, oxy-combustion, and high-pressure turbo-expansion to convert abundant waste biomass into clean electricity, water, and high-purity CO2, capturing and sequestering all emissions from the process. Our team brings together a passion for science, technology, and global stewardship to make low-cost, high-quality carbon removal and baseload power a reality.

Responsibilities

- Design and optimize rotors and/or casings for high-performance turbomachinery using NX.

- Select assembly architectures and materials to meet performance and reliability requirements.

- Size and analyze bolted joints, seals, and piping flanges for structural integrity.

- Perform static and transient thermomechanical analysis using ANSYS.

- Conduct modal analysis of both stationary and rotating systems to evaluate dynamic behavior.

- Perform thermal analysis to assess the effects of temperature gradients and thermal expansion.

- Ensure designs meet operational, thermal, and mechanical performance requirements.

- Collaborate with combustion and systems teams.

- Support manufacturing, assembly, and testing efforts to validate designs.

Requirements

- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a related Engineering field.

- 3+ years of experience in turbomachinery design or mechanical system engineering.

- Proficiency in ANSYS FEM software for stress, thermal, and thermomechanical analysis.

- Strong understanding of bolted joint, seal, and flange design.

- Experience with static, transient, and thermal structural analysis of rotating systems.

- Familiarity with materials selection for high-stress and high-temperature applications.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in creep analysis for high-temperature applications.

- Knowledge of rotordynamics and vibration analysis of rotating machinery.

- Familiarity with bearing design, damping, and balancing of rotating components.

- Experience working with supercritical CO₂ or high-density working fluids.

- Proficiency in NX CAD software

- Experience in startup or R&D environments.

Benefits

- Stock options

- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (Arbor covers 90% for employees)

- Basic life insurance fully covered

- Health savings account (HSA) with matching

- Flexible savings account (FSA)

- Unlimited PTO

- 12+ company holidays, including Earth Day!

- 401(k)

- Commuter benefits

- Annual learning and development stipend

- And more!

Arbor is an equal-opportunity employer. We never discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or marital, veteran, or disability status. Building a global solution to this global problem will require humans of all varieties to contribute diverse ideas and experiences, so we have put finding and hiring qualified individuals from underrepresented groups at the top of our priority list.

The salary is subject to the applicant’s skills, qualifications, and experience.