As a Mechanical Engineer, you will be a technical leader in the design and optimization of mechanical systems for Fervo’s innovative power plants. You will apply advanced engineering judgment and first-principles analysis to develop high-performance, cost-effective plant designs, while mentoring junior engineers and influencing cross-disciplinary decision-making. As Fervo transitions from first-of-a-kind projects to scaling deployment of its plants, you will play a key role in driving standardization and efficiency improvements across projects. You will report to the Mechanical Engineering Manager.
Heat exchangers and thermal systems sit at the core of Fervo’s plant performance. In this role, you will lead the design, vendor management and optimization of heat exchange equipment, where small gains in approach temperature, pressure drop, and fouling resistance translate directly into plant output and cost.
Responsibilities
Technical and Execution Leadership
Own specification generation, design, and analysis of mechanical systems, components, and equipment for power generation and surface facilities
Drive first-principles tradeoff analysis across mechanical and thermal systems to optimize plant performance
Identify opportunities to simplify, accelerate, and standardize mechanical designs while maintaining technical excellence and reliability
Inform and support procurement efforts relating to mechanical equipment, systems, and vendor specifications for power plant designs
Lead design and performance analysis of heat exchangers (shell-and-tube, plate, and air-cooled), including sizing, rating, and optimization of heat transfer area, approach temperatures, and pressure drop
Evaluate and mitigate thermal and mechanical risks in heat exchange equipment, including fouling, scaling and corrosion from geofluids, thermal expansion, thermal stress and fatigue.
Develop heat exchanger specifications and technically evaluate vendor proposals, thermal rating sheets, and mechanical designs (TEMA, ASME Section VIII) through fabrication, factory acceptance testing, and commissioning
Build and validate thermal performance models (heat and mass balance, off-design and part-load performance, ambient temperature sensitivity) to drive plant-level optimization
Team and Culture
Demonstrate extreme ownership by taking responsibility for cost, safety, and constructability in addition to design
Work with urgency and resilience, embracing rapid iteration and maintaining high performance under pressure
Collaborate closely across disciplines (process, electrical, reservoir, drilling) as well as with external partners to drive integrated solutions
Contribute to a culture of technical excellence and accountability, modeling the values that define a world-class engineering team
Act as a mentor to junior engineers and help in their development
Qualifications
Required
B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
3+ years of experience in mechanical engineering in large capital projects
Proven track record leading projects & design through fabrication and testing
Deep expertise in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and structural mechanics
Strong communication and leadership skills; ability to translate technical complexity into clear decisions
Hands-on experience designing, specifying, or rating heat exchangers (shell-and-tube, plate, air-cooled, or similar) for power generation, geothermal, oil and gas, or other process applications
Strong command of heat transfer fundamentals and thermal analysis, including conduction, convection, two-phase flow, and thermal stress
Familiarity with heat exchanger codes and standards (ASME Section VIII, TEMA, API 660/661) and thermal modeling tools (e.g., HTRI, Aspen EDR, Aspen HYSYS, or similar)
Experience with organic Rankine cycle (ORC) or other power cycle thermal systems is a plus
Location
Fervo Energy has offices in Houston, TX, Golden, CO, Reno, NV, Oakland, CA, and Salt Lake City, UT. This position will be eligible for some hybrid work flexibility, but regular in-office presence in the Houston, Golden, or Oakland office will be required.
Compensation
Fervo provides a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability, flexible paid time off, and paid parental leave. Additionally, Fervo offers an incentive stock options program, a bonus incentive program, and a 401(k) plan with an employer match.
Fervo Energy is providing the compensation range and general description of other compensation and benefits that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and geographic location. Expected Salary: $111,000 – $153,000 based on location and experience.
Fervo Energy reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, or federal law.
Benefits & Perks
Fervo offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and life outside of work. Benefits for eligible employees include:
Medical, dental, and vision plan options
Employer-paid basic life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage
A 401(k) plan with up to 6% match
Flexible paid time off and paid parental leave
Family-building, fertility, hormonal health, pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting support through Carrot
A dependent care FSA for eligible child and elder care expenses
An annual Lifestyle Spending Account for eligible wellness expenses, including fitness, financial planning, pet insurance, and pet care
Employee ownership opportunities through Fervo’s Employee Stock Purchase Program, as well as LTI and bonus opportunities for eligible roles
Benefits and programs are subject to eligibility requirements and may change.
Our Workplace
Fervo Energy highly values having employees work in the office to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. This role follows a hybrid schedule, with team members expected to work in the office three days per week. Fervo considers this in-office schedule an essential function of the role. Your recruiter can share more information about the schedule.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Fervo Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local law. Fervo also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that an individual has any of these characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of these characteristics.
