Senior / Staff Turbomachinery Systems Engineer

About the role

Antora Energy delivers affordable, reliable energy to industry, data centers, and the grid. Our thermal batteries turn low-cost electricity into always-on heat and power, without supply-constrained critical minerals or multi-year construction timelines.

We are growing our company with people who put team and mission first, value connection through laughter and joy, and work with humility and openness. We are committed to building a diverse, passionate, and creative team dedicated to a future powered by abundant, clean, low-cost energy.

About The Role

Antora Energy is building thermal energy storage plants that deliver zero-carbon industrial heat and power at scale. We are looking for a Senior / Staff Turbomachinery Systems Engineer to lead the definition, integration, and execution of the power island across our heat-to-power and combined heat and power projects.

As a key member of Antora's engineering team, you will own steam turbine system architecture for heat-to-power and CHP applications, making cross-functional trade-off decisions across thermal, mechanical, process, electrical, and controls systems. Your work will directly influence plant cost, performance, reliability, operability, and execution risk.

You will work closely with EPC partners, turbine OEMs, and internal engineering teams to translate project requirements into executable designs that meet Antora's technical and commercial objectives. This role will shape projects from early concept development through execution, commissioning, operations, and future fleet optimization.

We are also looking for someone who is excited to improve how engineering work gets done. You will help identify and apply AI-enabled tools and workflows to accelerate analysis, streamline technical evaluations, and increase team leverage across design, execution, and operations.

What You'll Do

System Definition

Lead steam turbine system definition, sizing, and trade studies for steam turbine islands and adjacent cycles, including sCO and Brayton cycles where applicable. Balance thermal performance, capital cost, operability, execution schedule, and long-term reliability.

Influence plant-level decisions related to cycle conditions, heat rejection architecture, extraction and regeneration strategy, startup and transient behavior, and cycling versus baseload operation in thermal energy storage applications.

System Integration

Drive cross-discipline integration across thermal, mechanical, process, electrical, and controls scope, from heat source interface through generator terminals and balance-of-plant tie-ins.

Third-Party Interfaces

• Serve as the technical lead for turbine OEM and EPC engagement, including RFP development, bid evaluation, technical clarifications, design reviews, and contract negotiation support.
• Ensure technical decisions support project economics and customer commitments.

AI-Enabled Engineering Workflows

Identify and implement AI tools and workflows that improve engineering productivity, technical rigor, and team execution. Examples may include accelerating trade study development, improving requirements traceability, summarizing technical documentation, supporting bid evaluations, and streamlining recurring analysis and reporting.

Field Support

Support commissioning, performance testing, troubleshooting, and early operations for first-of-a-kind plant startups. Translate field learnings into design improvements for future projects and fleet deployment.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in mechanical, electrical, chemical, systems engineering, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of professional experience in steam turbine systems design, architecture, integration, or major energy project execution.
• Proven ability to operate across multiple engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, thermal, fluids, and controls.
• Hands-on cycle modeling experience with Thermoflow, STEAM PRO, PEACE, Ebsilon, IPSEpro, or equivalent tools, including off-design and part-load analysis.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical interfaces with turbine OEMs, EPCs, or major equipment suppliers.
• Strong interest in using AI tools to improve engineering workflows, increase productivity, and strengthen technical decision-making.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate complex issues from a first-principles perspective.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with shifting priorities and high technical ambiguity.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to drive alignment across cross-functional stakeholders.

Bonus Qualifications

• Advanced degree, such as an MS or PhD, in a related engineering field.
• Experience with concentrated solar power technology, thermal cycles, heat transfer oils, or molten salt systems.
• Experience with high-temperature thermal systems, energy conversion, and power plant operations.
• Experience with industrial process systems, equipment, instrumentation, and controls.
• Familiarity with simulation and modeling tools such as Python, MATLAB, ChemCAD, HYSYS, or equivalent.
• Professional Engineer license.

Work Location: Onsite in San Jose, CA

Salary Range: $154-200k USD

Salary Basis

Please note that the salary range listed above reflects Antora Energy's estimated pay for this position. The actual salary offered will be within the posted range and determined based on several factors including but not limited to a candidate's experiences, credentials and expertise, as they pertain to the position's requirements.

In addition to a competitive base salary, Antora Energy's Total Rewards program includes equity compensation in the form of stock options, a premium health benefits package with life and disability insurance, a 401K plan with employer contributions, flexible spending accounts, and an industry leading paid-time-off policy that features flexible and inclusive holiday observance, as well as paid volunteer time off.

When it comes to stopping climate change, we need everyone. We believe that having a diversity of backgrounds and experiences strengthens all of us, and we strive to create an environment where every one of us is empowered to create meaningful change.