Natel Energy · 2 days ago
Hydraulic Design Engineer
Alameda, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid Level
$120K/yr - $170K/yr
3+ years expNatel Energy is a company focused on designing and testing high performance fish-safe hydraulic turbines to modernize the hydropower industry while preserving biodiversity. They are seeking a skilled turbine CFD design engineer to optimize hydro turbine geometry through detailed CFD and support design deliverables, proposals, and R&D analysis.
EnergyHydroelectricRenewable EnergySupply Chain Management
Responsibilities
Lead the modern hydro turbine industry with design and analysis techniques to produce competitive, efficient, fish-safe, and manufacturable turbine and hydropower facility designs and upgrades
Utilize Siemens NX, STAR-CCM+, and other related tools as necessary for hydraulic turbine design, analysis, and optimization. Apply existing design and analysis workflows as well as develop new and improved methods and automations
Become an expert in Natel’s system and product design space. Understand tradeoffs in hydraulic design performance, cost, and mechanical + operational implications; interpret and apply customer and site design requirements along with performance and fish survival models and test data; propose and deliver solutions (profiles, layouts, loads) and associated documentation
Assess test data of sub- and full-scale systems to inform design approaches; design and participate in conducting performance tests. Document and report analysis and test approaches and results in formats ranging from tabular data to figures to publication-worthy reports and presentations
Qualification
Required
At least 3 years experience in related role(s)
A bachelor's degree or higher in an applicable engineering discipline (mechanical, aerospace, etc)
Competence with advanced CAD surfacing and parametric modeling techniques (preferably in Siemens NX)
Competence in single and multiphase aerodynamic or hydrodynamic CFD meshing and analysis, preferably with complete turbomachinery or other rotating systems, preferably with STAR-CCM+
Familiarity with data analysis and/or automation coding languages (eg. Python, Java)
A motivation to apply your skills and knowledge in a fast-paced R&D and production environment
An organized and data-driven approach to problem solving
Strong written and verbal communication skills: comfortable receiving as well as providing guidance and technical material from/to engineers, designers, technicians, and suppliers
Confidence in working independently to drive a project forward
Preferred
Proficiency in Siemens NX surfacing techniques
Expertise in STAR-CCM+
Experience in the design or analysis of hydro turbines or pumps or turbomachinery in general
Both Windows and Linux based HPC setup and job management experience
Endorsements or certifications in applicable skill areas
Benefits
4 weeks of paid vacation
2 weeks of paid sick leave
401k matching
Health insurance (along with dental, vision and life insurance)
Company
Natel Energy
Natel Energy is an engineering company working to support healthy rivers & a reliable grid by designing FishSafe™ hydroelectric turbines.
11-50 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Natel Energy has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2022 (2)
2021 (1)
2020 (3)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$96.17MKey Investors
Japan Energy FundBreakthrough Energy VenturesSE Ventures
2025-07-29Series Unknown· $15.37M
2023-04-26Series Unknown
2021-07-21Series B· $20M
Leadership Team
Gregor Cadman
COO & VP, Engineering
Recent News
2025-06-27
Company data provided by crunchbase