Fuels Engineer for Next-Gen Nuclear Core Design (Hybrid)

Applied Atomics LLC; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 138,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial incentive stock plan for 1

Medical / Vision / Dental

Flexible PTO

Hybrid and remote work options

Job summary

Applied Atomics is seeking a Fuels Engineer to support design, analysis, and development of the nuclear fuel system for our next generation reactor. As an early technical hire, you will work with the nuclear engineering team to evaluate commercial fuel designs and translate data into internal models and decisions.

This role targets someone who understands commercial LWR fuel behavior and wants to help build a FOAK system based on proven nuclear fuel technology.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering or related field.
• 4+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience with nuclear fuel behavior and/or material science under irradiation.
• Familiarity with fuel performance or nuclear materials tools (BISON, FRAPTRAN, MOOSE, FAST, or similar).
• Understanding of neutronics and thermal-hydraulics principles as they relate to fuel performance.
• Strong analytical, communication, and documentation skills.
• Self-starter and comfortable working in a fast-paced, hardware-focused environment.

Responsibilities

• Fuel Design & Development: support the reactor’s fuel system design and geometry.
• Fuel Performance Modeling: build and run models with typical tools and analyze burnup.
• Materials & Irradiation Behavior: assess cladding and materials, evaluate mechanical limits.
• Testing, Data, & Qualification: develop test plans, interface with suppliers, validate data.
• Core Integration & Cross-Functional Collaboration: align fuel performance with neutronics and thermal hydraulics.
• Additional responsibilities: end-to-end project ownership and process improvement.

Skills

Nuclear engineering

Fuel behavior

Irradiation effects

Neutronics

Thermal hydraulics

Analytical skills

Documentation

Communication

Self-starter

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering

Tools

BISON

FRAPTRAN

MOOSE

FAST

Job description

Applied Atomics is seeking a Fuels Engineer to support design, analysis, and development of the nuclear fuel system for our next generation reactor. As an early technical hire, you will work with the nuclear engineering team to evaluate commercial fuel designs and translate data into internal models and decisions.

This role targets someone who understands commercial LWR fuel behavior and wants to help build a FOAK system based on proven nuclear fuel technology.