--- title: 'Experimental Fluid Mechanics: Two-Phase Flow & Nozzle Testing (Contract) at Roadrunner Venture Studio' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/experimental-fluid-mechanics-two-phase-flow-nozzle-testing-contract-roadrunner-4tgnya127c7g' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-05' --- # Experimental Fluid Mechanics: Two-Phase Flow & Nozzle Testing (Contract) at Roadrunner Venture Studio - **Company:** Roadrunner Venture Studio - **Location:** Remote - **Employment:** contract - **Work type:** remote - **Posted:** 2026-06-29 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-05 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/roadrunner-studios/f6445854-a578-4693-9eb9-ce6ead9634d3 ## Job description ## Overview Roadrunner Venture Studios is seeking a contract Subject Matter Expert (SME) to develop and execute an experimental test program for a proprietary nozzle for the generation of two-phase flow targeting intermediate-temperature energy systems. The primary objective is to establish a reliable, repeatable methodology for thrust measurement, characterize the two-phase flow exiting the nozzle, and reduce system variables so testing is focused on nozzle performance. Scope of Work The contractor will: Develop and execute a test plan for a two-phase nozzle operating with geothermal working fluids and experimental refrigerants. Design and validate a reliable thrust measurement system. Characterize the spray leaving the nozzle, including gas-to-liquid ratio, droplet concentration, droplet distribution, and mixed-phase flow behavior. Measure and analyze flow characteristics, pressure, temperature, and other critical performance parameters. Reduce experimental variables to isolate nozzle performance and improve test repeatability. Recommend and implement instrumentation and test fixtures required to produce high-confidence data. Analyze results and provide recommendations to improve nozzle performance and overall test methodology. ## Preferred Qualifications M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or related field preferred. Hands-on experience with two-phase flow, organic rankine cycle systems, refrigerant testing, or nozzle/thrust measurement. Strong experimental background with fluid systems, instrumentation, and test development. Experience with compressor and refrigerant line design, HVAC or process engineering, or propulsion testing is highly desirable. Ability to travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to support testing. ## About Roadrunner Venture Studio ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Roadrunner Venture Studios co-founds breakthrough deep-tech ventures with scientists and engineers, accelerating ideas from lab to market. - **Entity Type**: Private (venture studio; backed by America's Frontier Fund) - **Headquarters**: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA - **Founded**: 2022 - **Founders**: Co-founded by America’s Frontier Fund (individual founders not publicly named) ## Core Business - Primary industry: Deep-tech venture studio (energy, space, quantum, advanced materials, manufacturing, high-performance computing) - Target customers: Scientists, engineers, and innovators (B2B; co-founder/partner model) - Mission: “Ensure that the U.S. remains the best place in the world to commercialize deep tech” and “burst technology out of labs by identifying, developing, and investing in deep tech companies” [roadrunnerventurestudios.com](https://roadrunnerventurestudios.com/mission) ## Products & Services - **Venture Studio Services**: Full-stack company creation – provides capital, talent, top-to-bottom advising, product development, commercialization, and recruitment. Acts as a “starter-kit” for founders, taking ideas from whiteboard to venture-backed growth engine. [roadrunnerventurestudios.com](https://roadrunnerventurestudios.com/) ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private venture studio) - **Key Metric**: 21 total employees (Built In profile); portfolio includes companies like Photon Queue (quantum memory) and Maybell Quantum (quantum device assembly) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: America’s Frontier Fund (co-founder), Playground Global (led Photon Queue seed round), New Mexico Economic Development Department (Maybell Quantum) - **Growth Signals**: Active hiring for multiple roles (Chief of Staff, Executive/Founder in Residence, Facility Manager, etc.); oversubscribed seed round for portfolio company Photon Queue ($4M); expansion into Albuquerque quantum lab [jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/roadrunner-studios) | [roadrunnerventurestudios.com](https://roadrunnerventurestudios.com/) ## Competitive Advantages - **Deep-tech specialization**: Focus on hard-science domains (quantum, energy, space) where traditional venture studios rarely operate. - **Government & private network**: Deep ties to America’s Frontier Fund and federal/state economic development agencies provide unique access to funding and partnerships. - **De-risking vehicle**: Offers a complete “company creation factory” that reduces the friction of commercializing frontier technologies. ## Strategic Focus - Continue building a national system of venture studios to catalyze American technological competitiveness. - Prioritize quantum computing, advanced energy, space technologies, and advanced manufacturing. - Scale the studio model by hiring domain experts and operators in Albuquerque and Tampa Bay. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Mission-driven environment focused on strengthening U.S. competitiveness; work alongside top scientists and engineers on frontier technologies. - **Work policy**: Mix of on-site and hybrid roles; offices in Albuquerque, NM (HQ) and Tampa Bay, FL. On-site roles are typical for lab and facility positions. - **Perks**: Opportunity to be part of a “company starter-kit” and directly shape breakthrough ventures from inception. Small team (21 employees) offers high impact and ownership. - **Engineering culture**: Emphasis on deep technical work in quantum, energy, and space; roles include R&D technicians, experimental fluid mechanics, and quantum lab management. ## Sources 1. [Roadrunner Venture Studios – Home](https://roadrunnerventurestudios.com/) 2. [Roadrunner Venture Studios – Careers (Lever)](https://jobs.lever.co/roadrunner-studios) 3. [Roadrunner Venture Studios – Built In profile](https://builtin.com/company/roadrunner-venture-studios) 4. [Roadrunner Venture Studios – Team](https://roadrunnerventurestudios.com/team) 5. 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