---
title: 'Turbo Machinery Advisor – Power Systems & Geothermal Systems - Contractor at Roadrunner Venture Studio'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/turbo-machinery-advisor-power-systems-geothermal-systems-contractor-roadrunner-hgsjrnabm0kf'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-05'
---

# Turbo Machinery Advisor – Power Systems & Geothermal Systems - Contractor at Roadrunner Venture Studio

- **Company:** Roadrunner Venture Studio
- **Location:** Remote
- **Employment:** contract
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-01-21
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-05
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/roadrunner-studios/0b74c42f-f6d6-42b4-abcb-7250bacf5009

## Job description

About Us: We are an early-stage geothermal company developing next-generation systems for efficient heat extraction and power generation. Our work sits at the intersection of thermodynamics, advanced rotating machinery, and renewable energy. We are focused on advancing turbine and expander technologies that unlock more efficient, scalable geothermal electricity generation.

Role Overview: We are seeking a highly experienced Turbo Machinery Advisor with deep expertise in steam turbines, expanders, ORC systems, or other rotating equipment used in geothermal or thermal power applications. This is a strategic advisory role for someone with a long track record in turbomachinery design, power systems engineering, and industry leadership.

The Advisor will work closely with the founding team, supporting system architecture, design strategy, technical decision-making, and industry positioning. This person will bring not only technical depth but also a strong understanding of the geothermal ecosystem, industrial partnerships, and what it takes to move breakthrough hardware from concept to commercial deployment.

## Key Responsibilities

Strategic Oversight and Technical Direction

- Guide the turbine/expander development roadmap, ensuring alignment with long-term system architecture, commercial feasibility, and manufacturability.
- Provide senior-level mentorship to engineers and technical contributors, helping shape design approaches, testing priorities, and integration pathways.
- Recommend best practices in rotating machinery design, materials, thermodynamic cycle selection, and system optimization.

Thermodynamic & Mechanical Systems Guidance

- Review and refine thermodynamic cycle models, system assumptions, and performance projections.
- Advise on blade geometry choices, flow efficiency strategies, and component-to-component integration.
- Evaluate alternative configurations for durability, maintenance needs, and operational constraints in geothermal environments.

Testing, Validation & Risk Reduction

- Oversight of prototype testing methodologies, including performance validation under realistic geothermal or steam-cycle conditions.
- Support the team in defining testing protocols, instrumentation needs, and risk-mitigation plans for rotating equipment.

Regulatory, Safety & Compliance Support

- Provide guidance on safety standards, mechanical integrity requirements, and relevant codes associated with turbomachinery operation in geothermal and industrial settings.
- Advise on documentation and compliance expectations for early pilots and field deployments.

Manufacturing & Supply Chain Insight

- Support evaluation of manufacturing pathways, vendor selection, and component sourcing for small-scale, high-efficiency turbine systems.
- Recommend quality assurance and reliability frameworks suitable for early production and scaling.

Documentation, Stakeholder Communication & Reporting

- Review technical documentation, including design analysis, testing summaries, and risk assessments.
- Help prepare clear technical updates for internal stakeholders, external partners, and potential investors.

Industry Networking & Strategic Partnerships

- Leverage an established network in turbomachinery, geothermal, steam-cycle power, or related fields to help secure partnerships, pilot opportunities, and early adopter relationships.
- Provide senior technical presence in discussions with research institutions, industrial partners, utilities, and potential demonstration sites.

## Preferred Qualifications

- Advanced degree (PhD or MS) or equivalent senior-level industry experience in mechanical engineering, turbomachinery, thermal sciences, or related fields.
- 15+ years working with steam turbines, expanders, ORC systems, or similar rotating equipment.
- Deep familiarity with geothermal, waste-heat recovery, or thermal-to-power systems.
- Expert understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, structural considerations, and rotating equipment design.
- Proven track record advising or leading engineering teams on complex mechanical systems.
- Strong industry network within turbomachinery, geothermal energy, or thermal power generation ecosystems.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate complex technical issues for mixed audiences.
- Ability to operate independently and deliver high-impact guidance within limited advisory hours.

Roadrunner Venture Studios is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws or prohibited by Company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.

## 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. [Roadrunner Venture Studios – Mission](https://roadrunnerventurestudios.com/mission)

## Other roles at Roadrunner Venture Studio

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- [Executive/Founder in Residence - Advanced Energy](https://feeny.ai/job/executive-founder-in-residence-advanced-energy-roadrunner-venture-studio-zy8fnkvb1b2f) — Albuquerque, NM
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- [Chief Financial Officer](https://feeny.ai/job/chief-financial-officer-roadrunner-venture-studio-tampa-bay-vvje29bagdgr) — Tampa Bay, FL
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