Consequence Safety Methods & Analysis Engineer

TerraPower LLC.; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 138,685 - 208,027; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Plan

Relocation Assistance

Professional educational support

Job summary

TerraPower LLC. in Bellevue, WA, is seeking a Consequence Safety Methods Lead Engineer to develop safety methodologies for nuclear reactor engineering. This role demands at least 10 years of experience in nuclear engineering, strong analytical skills, and interaction with regulatory bodies.

The position offers a competitive salary ranging from $138,685 to $208,027 annually, along with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and generous paid time off. Join our mission to innovate in the nuclear energy space!

Qualifications

• At least 10+ years of experience in the nuclear field.
• Knowledgeable of accident source term and transient phenomena.
• Strong communication skills and experience in multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop methodologies for Evaluation Model Development and Assessment Process.
• Perform transient and accident analyses for the SFR program.
• Contribute to safety methods development and verification activities.

Skills

Nuclear systems thermal-hydraulic

Transient and accident analysis

Regulatory requirements

Quantitative analysis

Education

M.S. or Ph.D. in nuclear engineering

Tools

Accident analysis codes

Source term codes

Job description

Consequence Safety Methods Lead Engineer

Bellevue, WA, USA

TerraPower is a nuclear technology company based in Bellevue, Washington. At its core, the company is working to raise living standards globally through a more affordable, secure, and environmentally friendly form of nuclear energy along with innovations in medical isotopes to improve human health. In 2006, TerraPower originated with Bill Gates and a group of like‑minded visionaries who evaluated the fundamental challenges to raising living standards around the world. They recognized energy access was crucial to the health and economic well‑being of communities and decided that the private sector needed to take action and create energy sources that would advance global energy deployment. TerraPower’s mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field. As a result, the company’s activities in the fields of nuclear energy and related sciences are yielding significant innovations in the safety and economics of nuclear power, hybrid energy and medical applications – all for significant human health benefits.

TerraPower is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward‑thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced nuclear reactor research and development and influencing change within the nuclear power landscape and bringing forward the critical production of medical isotopes. TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The Consequence Safety Methods Lead Engineer is part of a growing team supporting the design and licensing of the Natrium® demonstration reactor and is primarily responsible for performing methodology development and safety analysis in the following areas:

• Analysis of Licensing Basis Events (LBEs) With Radionuclide Release
• Mechanistic Source Term
• Radiological Release Consequence
• Emergency Planning Zone

The Consequence Safety Methods Lead Engineer may also contribute as a subject matter expert to other areas under development by the TerraPower Sodium‑cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) Program. Other engineering activities include, but are not limited to, developing the safety methods, performing accident analyses, contributing to software qualification, participating in hazard analysis, participating in Structures, Systems and Components (SSC) classification, as well as performing verification and validation activities.

Under the TerraPower SFR Program, the Consequence Safety Methods & Analysis Engineer receives administrative, technical, and project supervision from the Consequence Safety Methods & Analysis Manager.

Responsibilities

• Develop methodologies using a graded approach to the Evaluation Model Development and Assessment Process (EMDAP).
• Develop assessment bases (benchmark, identify applicable tests, etc.) and assess the evaluation model.
• Develop analytical and computational models in collaboration with safety analysis engineers.
• Perform transient and accident analyses to meet the safety analysis needs of the SFR program.
• Work with an interdisciplinary team of engineers to establish core and SSC functional, performance, safety, and quality requirements, and support the overall design.
• Establish and maintain analysis of record and methodology documentation.
• Perform engineering reviews of analyses and other engineering design media.
• Contribute, as needed, to the implementation of capabilities required for transient and accident analysis within the TerraPower software framework.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• M.S. or Ph.D. in nuclear engineering, or other relevant engineering degree, with at least 10+ years of experience in the nuclear field. (an M.S. degree counts as 1 year of experience and a Ph.D. degree may count as up to 3 years of experience with a demonstrated ability to produce a high‑quality work product)
• Knowledgeable of nuclear systems thermal‑hydraulic, fuel performance, reactor dynamics, accident source term, and transient phenomena.
• Experience directly interacting with the US NRC on design and analysis methodology applications, such as licensing topical report(s), is strongly preferred.
• Significant experience with transient and accident analysis codes is required.
• Experience with source term and radiological consequence codes is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with nuclear design, regulatory requirements, and risk‑informed performance‑based technology guidance for Non‑Light Water Reactors under Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.233 is required.
• Familiarity with EMDAP and RG 1.203 is required.
• Experience with source term methods development is highly desirable.
• Experience with SFR safety methods is highly desirable. Experience with other reactor designs can be considered when differentiating candidates.
• Demonstrated strong quantitative, analytical, modeling, and reporting skills.
• Understanding of Appendix B to 10 CFR 50 and ASME NQA‑1 requirements associated with analysis and software management, as well as experience working under a quality assurance program.
• Experience in working in multi‑disciplinary engineering teams to address engineering challenges.
• Strong communication skills are desired.
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly, and display respect and a desire to foster teamwork.

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

• 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.
• 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 (Washington State)

Job Type: Full‑time

• Competitive Compensation
• Salary, eligible to participate in discretionary short‑term incentive payments
• Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits
  • Medical
  • Vision
  • Dental
  • Life and Disability
  • Gender Affiliation Benefits
• 401(k) 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