FUNCTION:

The Analysis Engineer Lead is responsible for leading the structural, thermal, fluid, seismic, and mechanical analysis activities associated with the design, qualification, and testing of custom equipment and remote handling systems operating in harsh nuclear and high-consequence environments.

This role serves as both a technical leader and organizational leader within the Engineering Department, responsible for guiding analysis strategy, mentoring engineers, developing analysis standards and best practices, coordinating multidisciplinary analysis efforts, and ensuring delivery of technically sound, code-compliant, and production-focused engineering solutions. The Analysis Lead provides oversight of analysis execution across multiple projects while remaining deeply engaged in complex technical problem solving and customer-facing engineering activities.

REPORTING TO: Vice President of Engineering

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the execution and coordination of structural, thermal, CFD, seismic, vibration, fatigue, and mechanical analyses across multiple concurrent projects.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to analysis engineers and project teams.
• Establish and maintain analysis methodologies, best practices, calculation templates, validation procedures, and engineering standards.
• Perform and oversee detailed finite element analyses (FEA) using ANSYS Mechanical, NASTRAN, or similar tools.
• Perform and oversee thermal and fluid flow analyses using ANSYS Fluent or equivalent CFD software.
• Lead development of analysis strategies utilizing bounding assumptions and technically justified simplifications to efficiently solve complex engineering problems.
• Review and approve analysis calculations, reports, and technical deliverables for accuracy, quality, and code compliance.
• Support proposal development, technical planning, scope definition, schedule development, and engineering estimates for analysis activities.
• Evaluate equipment performance under combined thermal, mechanical, seismic, radiological, transportation, and operational loading conditions.
• Provide technical interpretation and application of ASME, ASCE, DOE, and other applicable nuclear industry codes and standards.
• Collaborate closely with design, controls, manufacturing, quality, and project management teams to ensure analysis assumptions align with fabrication and operational realities.
• Participate in customer meetings, technical reviews, design reviews, hazard analyses, and regulatory discussions.
• Support root cause investigations, failure analyses, nonconformance evaluations, and corrective actions.
• Assist in planning and interpretation of physical testing, including strain gauging, thermal instrumentation, vibration testing, and qualification testing.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to engineering quality, technical rigor, efficiency, and standardization.
• Support long-term development and scaling of JFT's analysis capabilities, tools, software utilization, and technical competencies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to work on a computer (standing or sitting) for most of the day and use standard office equipment. The ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with team members, customers and vendors is essential. May occasionally lift and carry objects, materials, or equipment, typically under 50 pounds. Occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing and crawling to access and inspect equipment or systems may also be necessary.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Primarily an office environment with work periodically performed in the fabrication/machine shop and outdoor testing areas. Depending on the project, there may be occasional travel to customer job sites. JFT has implemented a 9/80 work schedule, and the office is closed every other Friday

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Nuclear, or related Engineering field.
• 8+ years of experience performing structural, thermal, fluid, seismic, or mechanical analysis in high-consequence industries.
• Demonstrated technical leadership experience leading engineering teams, projects, or technical disciplines.
• Expert-level understanding of finite element analysis (FEA), stress analysis, fatigue analysis, vibration analysis, thermal analysis, and/or CFD methodologies.
• Advanced proficiency with ANSYS Mechanical, ANSYS Fluent, or equivalent analysis software.
• Strong understanding of structural mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and materials behavior.
• Strong familiarity with ASME Codes (Section III, VIII, B31.3), ASCE, DOE nuclear safety standards, and applicable engineering codes and standards.
• Experience reviewing and approving engineering calculations and technical reports.
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• Experience supporting nuclear, DOE, radiological, defense, or other high-integrity engineering applications preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of fabrication methods, materials, welding processes, and manufacturability considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary technical problem-solving efforts.
• Possess strong business acumen, commercial awareness, and organizational leadership capability.

FLSA EXEMPT/NONEXEMPT STATUS: FLSA Exempt, not eligible for overtime.