Job Description

Talent Bridge: Nuclear Engineer

Location: Research Engineering Office Building, Idaho National Laboratory

Schedule: 9 x 80's with every other Friday off

Program Duration: 12 months, with a potential 1-year extension.

Position Overview:

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring an Advanced Reactor neutronics, thermal-hydraulics, thermo-mechanical, or structures analyst to work in our Reactor Engineering group.
INL is recognized as the lead national laboratory for DOE-NE, providing much of the nuclear research, development, and demonstration capability needed to move nuclear innovation forward to deployment. MFC hosts a unique combination of personnel, facilities, and infrastructure for the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors.
As a Reactor Engineering Analyst, you will analyze neutronics, thermal, or mechanical behavior of advanced reactors demonstrations at INL. You will be responsible for contributing delivery of confirmatory analyses to support design and product acceptance of new nuclear reactor systems focus on micro-reactors, assisting in startup physics testing of advanced reactor, and supporting existing reactors.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Supports, coordinates and performs confirmatory calculations and startup planning in area of technical expertise (e.g. reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, thermo-mechanical analysis) to support development of facility and reactor specific safety basis supporting analyses.
• Work includes planning, scheduling, and tracking of reactor analyses and planning for startup testing and verification activities to validate analytical work and ensure safety.
• Verify compliance of advanced reactor designs according to industry codes, such as ASME Boiler Pressure Vessel Code. Decompose project goals into defined and controlled design requirements.
• Responsible for providing support to project and planning activities related to new reactor design and acceptance, talking to design and nuclear safety organizations, working with external reactor designers and DOE (ID and HQ), and contributing organizations (e.g. structural analysis, criticality safety, radiation protection, etc.).
• Participate in the evaluation and resolution of complex engineering problems. Contribute to technical decisions based on sound engineering practices and in accordance with Laboratory policies and procedures.
• Apply advanced nuclear engineering design principles, theories, and concepts.
• Use best practices in design methodologies to develop and validate designs.
• Document designs to ensure conformance with requirements and standards.
• Establish testing, inspection, and quality requirements.
• Ensure fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement align with design specifications.
• Defend analytical methods and results in reviews.
• Support project/program interactions with sponsors, operations, and engineering organizations.
• Develop and improve physics-based mathematical models and analysis methods.
• Prepare reports and peer-reviewed publications.
• Participate in professional development activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Eligibility

• This position is a multi-level posting, open to candidates who are recent graduates at either the Bachelor's or Master's level:
  • Bachelor's Level: To qualify, you must have completed your bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or other related technical engineering degree within the last 12 months from an ABET-accredited institution.
  • Master's Level: To qualify, you must have completed your Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or other related technical engineering degree or directly related engineering Master's degree within the last 12 months from an ABET-accredited institution.

Minimum Qualifications

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy "Q" clearance, which requires US Citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using computation codes for reactor analysis such as MCNP, SERPENT, SCALE, OpenMC, Abaqus, Ansys, or STAR-CCM+
• Experience in nuclear fuels and materials, reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, core design, and analysis tools/methods

Application Requirements:

• Current Resume or CV
• Proof of Graduation (diploma or unofficial transcripts accepted)

Program Benefits:

• Mentored environment providing post-degree work experience.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Accelerated knowledge transfer from retiring staff to early career individuals.

Review and Evaluation: Performance and satisfaction will be reviewed at three, six, and nine months. At the six-month review, potential next steps will be discussed:

• Transition to a full-time role
• Pursue additional education
• Explore other opportunities

Job Information:

• This job posting offers two salary ranges based on the selected applicant: $66,504 - $90,960 for recent bachelor's graduates and $79,344 - $108,540 for recent master's graduates. At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds without assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.