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Job Description

X-energy LLC is hiring a Senior Heat Exchanger Specialist to join its team. This role is responsible for guiding specification, selection, and design of heat exchangers for a wide variety of mechanical process and power generation system applications. It includes identifying requirements, performing design calculations, and selecting and specifying heat exchangers to ensure they meet all technical specifications and program/project requirements. Additionally, this role is responsible for providing expert opinions, based on technical information, to system owners and responsible engineers in the area of their expertise. This position is expected to be an expert on heat exchangers (shell and tube, plate, air-cooled, etc.) and will provide recommendations on all aspects of equipment selection including design, specification, application, selection, cost, performance, reliability and maintenance strategy.

Job Tasks/Responsibilities:

As needed, direct the planning for the analyses required to assess all aspects of heat exchangers to ensure they can perform their intended functions and meet all technical specifications and requirements in a manner that is compliant with applicable codes and standards.
Supervise performance of computations utilizing hand calculations and analytical tools for structural, thermal, hydraulic, and other scoping calculations as required to ensure heat exchangers can meet all technical requirements in a manner that is compliant with applicable codes and standards.
Develop and manage implementation of engineering changes in accordance with approved procedures.
Provide assistance and guidance in designing and developing mechanical systems and components within your expertise:
- Understand how nuclear safety relates to system specific systems and components and the work performed on a day-to-day occurrence.
- Select components based on applicable requirements, interfaces, design bases and criteria by coordinating with key stakeholders/systems engineers and support identification of applicable industry codes and standards.
- Compose and develop design documentation including, but not limited to, design basis documents, technical reports, calculations, design descriptions and drawings in accordance with applicable procedures.
Author and maintain X-energy design standards and guides related to design, specification, and selection of heat exchangers.
Demonstrate project management skills to effectively organize and lead external engineering partners.
Develop the technical content for and support the procurement of material, equipment, and services.
Oversee and/or provide technical expertise to review procured items and associated documentation for acceptance and verify compliance of procured services and material with contract specifications.
Review engineering documentation for technical correctness and compliance with X-energy processes and procedures and participate in design reviews for heat exchangers and their integration in plant systems design.
Actively support the safety culture and ensure integration of quality into all System Engineering processes utilized in the performance of this role by complying with the relevant requirements of the Quality Assurance Program.
Identify, document, report and manage system and project risks related to engineering and design scope associated with this role to ensure they are visible and mitigated accordingly.
Maintain professional demeanor and behavior at all times in all forms of communication.
Work effectively and efficiently with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Provide independent reviews and acceptance reviews of engineering deliverables and data.
Oversee documentation of applicable requirements, interfaces, design basis and criteria by coordinating with key stakeholders/systems engineers and identify applicable and appropriate industry codes and standards.
Have a thorough understanding of the letter and intent of requirements contained within industry codes and standards.
Lead the execution of the core tasks and responsibilities, listed in the Job Profile Task/Responsibilities section of this document, without close supervision and extensive latitude for independent judgment. Develop and manage implementation of engineering changes in accordance with approved procedures. Teach and mentor more junior team members. Stay abreast of industry and academic trends, breakthroughs, and best practices. In collaboration with engineering leadership, set technical direction at the enterprise level through developing and owning technology or discipline specific roadmaps, best practices, and/or design criteria.
Perform other duties as assigned by manager.

Minimum Qualifications:

Level V: The skills required for this role are typically demonstrated by up to 15 plus years of relevant experience.
Level VI: The skills required for this role are typically demonstrated by up to 20 plus years of relevant experience.
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related engineering discipline from an ABET accredited university required.
- A master's degree in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of two years of experience.
- A Ph.D. in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of three years of experience.
- Previous experience at X-energy exceeding performance standards may be in lieu of years of experience.
Experience with mechanical process equipment design, procurement, installation, and/or operation is required. For this role that experience must include designing and specification of heat exchangers in the context of integrated power or process plant system design.
- This includes types of heat exchangers such as shell-and-tube, plate-and-frame, and double pipe, and all conventional flow configurations, such as parallel flow, counterflow, crossflow, and hybrid (e.g., cross-counterflow or multi-pass).
- Experience must also include large-scale heat exchange units such as air-cooled heat exchangers.
- Experience must include specification and selection based on system needs while considering all potential impacts of that selection throughout the life of the component, its associated, system, and interfacing plant systems.
- This role also involves providing expert advice and recommendation to other engineering staff for general selection of rotating equipment based on suitability to system design and intended service.
Experience in the detailed design of heat exchangers is desirable.
Experience with authoring and/or maintaining company design standards and guides related to design, specification, and selection of heat exchangers is desirable.
Systems or Design Engineering experience in successful mechanical system development projects.
Experience with design and operation of mechanical systems including, but not limited to, steam, feedwater, condensate, HVAC, fire protection, drainage, compressed air, services, water-based systems, or nuclear systems.
Knowledge of system requirements management, and verification.
Knowledge of Systems Engineering processes, as well as relevant aspects of nuclear power plant licensing, regulatory, quality, and safety requirements.
Heat transfer principles: A strong grasp of conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer mechanisms and calculations for proper sizing and application of heat exchangers.
Thermodynamics and fluid dynamics: Expert understanding of fluid properties, phase changes, pressure drop calculations, and thermal expansion considerations, as well as the physical principles of fluid flow through piping systems, which is essential to understanding and recommending heat exchanger types based on hydraulic considerations for mechanical plant and process systems
Heat exchanger types and design: In-depth knowledge of different heat exchanger configurations including shell and tube, plate, air-cooled, spiral, and specialty designs along with their applications and limitations.
Industry codes and standards: Proficiency in relevant industry standards, such as TEMA (Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association), ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, API, and HEI (Heat Exchange Institute).
Mechanical design and materials: Knowledge of equipment design, metallurgy, and material science with focus on thermal expansion, corrosion resistance, fouling factors, and material compatibility.
Performance evaluation: Ability to calculate and evaluate heat transfer coefficients, surface areas, thermal effectiveness, and overall equipment efficiency.
Thermal analysis: Expertise in thermal modeling, performance prediction, and simulation of heat exchange processes.
Design specifications: Experience in preparing and reviewing technical specifications, thermal design calculations, datasheets, and procurement documents for heat exchangers and components.
Fouling and maintenance considerations: Understanding of fouling mechanisms, cleaning methods, and maintenance strategies to optimize equipment performance throughout its lifecycle.
Vendor management: Experience evaluating supplier proposals and reviewing vendor documentation for compliance with equipment specifications, design codes and standards, contract requirements, maintenance provisions, operation, testing, and general industry best practices.

Location: Rockville, MD or Houston, TX

Work Site Expectations: 4-5 days in office
Travel Expectations: Up to 10% as needed
Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm ET, Monday-Friday

Compensation

As required by Maryland and other applicable state law, X Energy, LLC (X-energy) lists the expected compensation range for a publicly advertised job opportunity based upon the job requirements (e.g. education/training, experience, skill sets, etc.). Individual candidates who meet the job requirements for the posted position will be offered a salary within this range based on their respective levels of education/training, experience, and other qualifications unique to them. Salary ranges may vary based on the specific office location and region referenced in the posting to take into consideration differences in cost of living and may not be reflective of all regions. Please note that compensation ranges listed for US job postings reflect base salary only and do not include benefits or other incentives.

Offers within the posted salary range are commensurate with the individual’s qualifications for the position, along with a view on internal equity, market data, and room for growth. The salary range for this position is:

Level V: $170,000- $195,000; Level VI: $210,000- $235,000

Position Job Classification

Full time - Exempt

Benefits

X Energy, LLC offers a robust benefits package that includes a 401K plan with an employer match, Medical/Dental /Vision Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Time Off, and a Tuition Reimbursement/Professional Development policy that supports the continuing education of our employees.

An Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

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