Principal Core Design Engineer

Emirates Nuclear Energy Company; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy company in Abu Dhabi Emirate is seeking a skilled professional to lead core design activities within its nuclear engineering department. The candidate will oversee core design calculations, ensure compliance with safety regulations, and further strategic objectives related to nuclear fuel design. A Bachelor's and Master's degree in Nuclear or Mechanical Engineering is required, along with over 8 years of relevant experience. This is a full-time, mid-senior level position.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience in nuclear engineering or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead core design activities across BNPP.
• Ensure compliance with FANR and ENEC procedures.
• Support and guide operational testing phases.

Skills

Core design calculations and analyses

Safety compliance

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Nuclear or Mechanical Engineering

Master’s Degree in Nuclear or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Overview

Lead core design activities across BNPP units, implementing established methodologies and contributing to the development of alternative solutions to support alignment with core safety requirements, design standards, and plant operational needs.

Lead Core Design and Reload Analysis Activities

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Lead and oversee core design calculations and analyses to support BNPP fleet, ensuring compliance with FANR and ENEC procedures.
• Ensure the development of safe, efficient, and economical core designs that meet safety, licensing, and operational criteria.
• Lead the preparation, review, and updates of FSAR chapters (including Chapters 4, 6, and 15), Technical Specifications, and licensing documents.
• Lead the development design methodology, calculations, and licensing documents to be used for establishing ENEC capabilities. These may include first-of-a-kind activities.

Support of Core Design Plant Support Activities

• Oversee the incorporation of fuel and design changes into setpoint analyses to ensure safe and flexible operation.
• Lead support for plant operation requests from ENEC Operations, including resolution of fuel failure events, transient scenarios, and FOAK operational issues.
• Support and guide operational testing phases including Low-Power Physics Testing (LPPT), COLSS / CPCS testing, and Power Ascension Testing (PAT).

Lead Strategic Projects

• Lead and support strategic projects that advance department objectives, ensuring alignment with operational, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide support in projects related to fuel design evolution, qualification of new fuel vendors, and integration of advanced methodologies.
• Lead initiatives aimed at developing vendor-independent design capabilities to support the UAE’s long-term nuclear self-sufficiency goals.
• Lead discussions with internal and external stakeholders to ensure project outcomes are delivered with high quality, on schedule, and aligned with strategic priorities.

Knowledge Transfer and Training

• Lead knowledge dissemination / sharing in a way that assists with building internal capabilities where applicable and maximize their effective performance in Core Design area.
• Support the conduction of required training, qualification, and On the Job Training (OJT) by providing appropriate feedback on results to ensure the delivery of quality staff training.
• Provide mentorship to engineers in the Nuclear Fuel Management department to achieve high level of safety and performance in Core Design area.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nuclear or Mechanical Engineering
• Master’s Degree in Nuclear or Mechanical Engineering
• 8+ years of relevant experience

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Engineering

Industries

• Utilities, Services for Renewable Energy, and Electric Power Generation