Fuel Mechanical Engineer III OR Senior Fuel Mechanical Engineer

Duke Energy; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy's Nuclear Fuels Engineering division seeks a Nuclear Engineer to support fuel mechanical performance, perform analyses, and contribute to examinations and design specifications. The role requires cross-team collaboration, effective communication, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a hybrid environment.

Ideal candidates have ABET‑accredited degrees, several years of engineering and nuclear experience, and skills in fuel software tools and programming.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Nuclear Engineering from an ABET accredited program.
• In lieu of degree listed above, a Master's degree in Mechanical or Nuclear Engineering with a Bachelor of Science Engineering degree in another discipline from an ABET accredited program will also be considered
• Minimum of 4 years of engineering experience
• Minimum of 1 year of nuclear experience
• Good written and oral communication skills

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering/technical expertise and guidance in the identification, analysis and resolution of routine problems in area of fuel mechanical performance
• Prepare thorough and accurate technical reports, correspondence, documentation, calculations and sketches associated with the resolution of routine technical problems
• Perform fuel rod mechanical analyses (rod internal pressure, fuel melt, cladding corrosion, etc.) using NRC approved methodologies
• Plan and support new and irradiated fuel examinations and characterization
• Develop fuel and core component design specifications
• Ensure high quality, conforming, fuel and components are delivered on time, within specifications
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other groups within NFE, Plant Engineering, Operations, and vendors

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Multi-tasking

FORTRAN/Python/VBA programming

Education

ABET-accredited BS in Mechanical or Nuclear Eng

MS in Mechanical or Nuclear Eng with non-Eng BS

Tools

Unix/Linux

PAD

COPERNIC

VIPRE

BOA

Job description

Job Description

Fuel Mechanical Performance is part of the Nuclear Fuels Engineering Division (NFE) centralized at Duke Energy's General Office in Charlotte. The Fuel Mechanical Performance (FMP) group is responsible for several overlapping areas of responsibility: fuel mechanical and thermal analyses, plant support of nuclear fuel related issues, and nuclear fuel fabrication/manufacturing engineering oversight and quality assurance.

This position requires highly motivated individuals to solve complex analytical problems and plant support issues. Due to the diversity of assignments within the Fuel Mechanical Performance group, a continuous learning aptitude is required along with the willingness to assume various roles to levelize resources; specifically, to learn and fill roles on the analysis and plant support sides of FMP achieving proficiency and versatility in both. This position also requires performance within a team-oriented environment that is very supplier and customer focused thus placing a premium on well-developed communication and collaboration skills.

Group Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide engineering/technical expertise and guidance in the identification, analysis and resolution of routine problems in area of fuel mechanical performance
• Assist in the accomplishment of business goals and objectives through effective planning, organizing, estimating, scheduling, and monitoring of work activities with the collaboration of higher-level employees or management
• Prepare thorough and accurate technical reports, correspondence, documentation, calculations and sketches associated with the resolution of routine technical problems
• Support the company's goals and represent the company positively and professionally
• Perform a variety of complex fuel rod mechanical analyses (rod internal pressure, fuel melt, cladding corrosion, etc.)using NRC approved methodologies
• Perform crud and corrosion risk analyses using industry standard methods, tools, and software
• Plan and support new and irradiated fuel examinations and characterization
• Review fuel design and manufacturing process changes and approve/reject
• Develop fuel and core component design specifications
• Perform core component management and lifetime analyses and tracking
• Ensure high quality, conforming, fuel and components are delivered to the plants on time, within specifications, while holding the manufacturers to the requisite rigor in processes and procedures
• Accommodate emergent work and effectively multi-task while keeping management informed and in agreement with shifting priorities
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other groups within NFE, Plant Engineering, Operations, and vendors and sub-suppliers
• Participate in technical training activities such as attending technical seminars, computer code training, group specific training classes, and industry technical/strategic meetings

Basic / Required Qualifications

The incumbent must meet the minimum ANSI requirements for this position identified within the scope of Nuclear Operating Fleet Administrative Procedure AD-LS-ALL-0011, Confirmation of Regulatory Guide 1.8 Personnel Qualifications.

Note: This posting is for one open position. Dependent on relative experience, the level to which a candidate is aligned is outlined below.

Nuclear Engineer III

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Nuclear Engineering from an ABET accredited program
• In lieu of degree listed above, a Master's degree in Mechanical or Nuclear Engineering with a Bachelor of Science Engineering degree in another discipline from an ABET accredited program will also be considered
• Minimum of 4 years of engineering experience
• Minimum of 1 year of nuclear experience

Senior Nuclear Engineer

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Nuclear Engineering from an ABET accredited program
• In lieu of degree listed above, a Master's degree in Mechanical or Nuclear Engineering with a Bachelor of Science Engineering degree in another discipline from an ABET accredited program will also be considered
• Minimum of 6 years of engineering experience or 5 years of engineering experience with state registration as a Professional Engineer
• Minimum of 1 year of nuclear experience

Desired Qualifications

• Fundamentals of Engineering Certificate and/or Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Demonstration of ability to organize and self-manage multiple tasks
• Unix and/or Linux workstation experience
• Computer programming experience (FORTRAN/Python/VBA/etc.)
• Proficient in principles of project management
• Experience in the electric utility industry
• Experience running fuel and crud computer software analysis tools such as PAD, COPERNIC, VIPRE, or BOA
• Experience with nuclear fuel vendor manufacturing oversight, surveillance, and evaluation
• Knowledge in thermal hydraulic calculations - heat transfer, flow modeling, nuclear fuel component materials, fuel composition, etc.
• Proficient in practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting recommendations
• Good written and oral communication skills

Working Conditions

• Hybrid Mobility Classification - Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees must live within a reasonable commute to their designated Duke Energy facility, not greater than 50 miles one way. Employees are expected to report to their assigned Duke Energy facility as required and directed by their manager, on average 3 full workdays per regular workweek
  • Primarily general office, secondarily plant environments
• Additional hours expected as workload dictates
• Flexible work schedule - typically four 10-hour days, 2 in office and 2 remote
• Some travel to other Duke sites, industry sites, and industry conferences/meetings
• Occasional off-hour emergent work required
• Must live within one hour of a nuclear site
• Potential travel: 5-20%

Specific Requirements

• A selected candidate may be subject to the oversight and written approval authority of a designated qualified individual until the selected candidate becomes fully qualified - typically about 1 year depending on whether previous training can be credited
• Able to obtain nuclear site Unescorted Access/Security clearance
• This position may be required to have Emergency Response Organization (ERO) responsibilities which could include callouts with a defined response time to the site and an on-call duty rotation requiring the employee to be Fit for Duty
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment (hardhat, safety glasses, safety shoes, etc.) as needed

Travel Requirements

• 5-15% travel
• Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)
• Represented/Union Position: No
• Visa Sponsored Position: No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.