RAC Integrated Analysis Senior Engineer

TerraPower, LLC. is seeking a Lead Engineer supporting the Natrium Demonstration Project. This role will support the ongoing design and delivery of the Natrium Reactor Air Cooling System (RAC). The Reactor Air Cooling System uses natural convection to continuously remove heat, providing a passive, always-on way to keep the reactor safely cooled without relying on pumps or operator actions. The RAC Integrated Analysis Senior Engineer should have expert knowledge of thermal-hydraulic modeling, model scaling, prototype testing, and model validation. This role will champion and drive completion of the integrated Natrium decay heat removal analysis, including analysis, testing, verification, and validation of the complete decay heat removal scenario.

You'll collaborate with project managers, design engineers, analysts, test engineers, and other engineering specialties in a high-performing, multi-disciplinary environment to deliver the Natrium Reactor Air Cooling System.

Join us in this high impact role to help advance a first-of-a-kind nuclear reactor towards commercial development.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development and execution of thermal hydraulics analyses for reactor systems, including:
  • Steady-state and transient system behavior
  • Accident and off-normal condition evaluation
  • Core thermal margins and safety limits
• Establish and maintain the thermal hydraulics analysis basis, including assumptions, methodologies, and acceptance criteria.
• Establish analysis criteria, including: regulatory criteria, regulatory standards, functional criteria, performance criteria, and failure mode and effects.
• Serve as the central integrator of thermal hydraulics results across internal engineering teams, suppliers, national labs, and research partners
• Ensure consistency of boundary conditions, inputs, and assumptions across models and organizations.
• Drive alignment across multidisciplinary engineering teams (nuclear, thermal hydraulic, mechanical, instrumentation and controls, civil-structural) to define and refine system requirements
• Prepare complete analysis packages, addressing all relevant phenomena to ensure nuclear safety
• Perform independent verifications of models and software tools, develop multi-disciplinary margin evaluations, lead and author topical reports for licensing applications, and integrate testing and other validation methods into system fluid thermal models
• Manage technical interfaces with suppliers, including review and verification of deliverables.
• Prepare engineering change packages including calculations, design reports, design drawings, and design specifications
• Promote continuous learning and application of nuclear industry best practices
• Interface with and support licensing activities needed to obtain both the construction and operating licenses for the reactor systems
• Participate in project design reviews at project milestones and periodic assessment points to verify compliance and completeness of design.
• Provide subject matter expertise on fluid flow, heat transfer, and reactor system response.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline from an accredited university
• 10+ years of relevant experience
• Experience Level may be partially substituted for advanced degree depending on position relevance
• Demonstrated experience in thermal-hydraulic / thermal fluid modeling, scaling, testing, and validation
• Demonstrated experience in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools (e.g. Fluent, Star-CCM+) or transient safety analysis tools (e.g. RELAP5-3D, GOTHIC) is preferred but not required
• Previous experience with nuclear reactors or similar technologies is highly desired.
• Experience working to quality standards on design activities, such as ASME NQA-1 or ISO 9001.
• Professional engineering licensure is desired but not required for this position.
• Experience in originating and developing technical documentation to support system architecture is preferred.
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Attention to detail and aspiration for technical excellence.
• Candidate must be a self-starter and possess ability to coordinate and work within a design team with minimal direction.
• Ability to handle projects that include many competing objectives and design constraints, with ability to resolve conflicts between objectives.
• Ability to work on simultaneous tasks that require a multi-disciplinary approach.

This position is subject to qualification requirements in accordance with ANSI/ANS 3.1. Candidates must meet the minimum education and experience criteria applicable to the role, including relevant nuclear industry experience where required. Verification of data will be part of the hiring process.

Job Functions:

Job Functions are physical actions and/or working conditions associated with the position. These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation. Information provided below is to help describe the job so that the applicant has a reasonable understanding of the job duties/expectations. An applicant's ability to perform and/or tolerate these actions and conditions will be discussed and workplace accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis following an individualized assessment of the applicant and other considerations, including but not limited to any governing safety standards.

• Motor Abilities: Sitting for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands)
• Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 25 pounds.
• Repetitive work: Prolonged
• Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work
• Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hours/day
• Travel required 0-10%

Job details

Salary Range: $138,685 - $208,027

Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected candidate's qualifications and experience. This range is specific to Washington State.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation
• Salary, eligible to participate in discretionary short-term incentive payments
• Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits
  • Medical
  • Vision
  • Dental
  • Life and Disability
  • Gender Affirmation Benefits
• Parental Leave
• 401k Plan
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • 21 days of annually accrued PTO
• Generous Holiday Schedule
  • 10 paid holidays
• Relocation Assistance
• Professional and Educational Support Opportunities

TerraPower Career and Benefits information: https://www.terrapower.com/contact-us/careers/