Nuclear Engineer 4

NuScale Power, LLC; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 127,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

NuScale Power, LLC seeks a Nuclear Engineer 4 to lead core design, neutronics analyses, and licensing support within the Nuclear Fuels department. The role collaborates with Thermal Hydraulics, Code Development, and Nuclear Methods teams and interfaces with plant operations.

Candidates should have a BS in Nuclear/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering and at least 8 years of relevant experience, with emphasis on reactor physics analyses and fuel design.

Qualifications

• A minimum of B.S. degree in Nuclear, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering from a four-year accredited college or university is required. An M.S. in Nuclear, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering is desirable.
• A minimum of 8 years of full-time, directly relevant engineering experience is required. Demonstrated experience in implementing engineering design processes for core design, neutronics, reactor engineering, and related safety analysis is required. Experience in fuel design or fuel performance preferred.
• Eligible to work under Department of Energy 10 CFR Part 810.

Responsibilities

• Perform core design and neutronics analysis for cycle design and reloads, including lattice physics generation, core loading optimization, and safety‑related physics inputs to engineering design and analysis interfaces and licensing.
• Prepare core monitoring inputs, COLR inputs, and other technical information for operations support. Translate method limits, assumptions, and uncertainties into practical guidance for plant engineering and operations.
• Configure, validate, and maintain core monitoring software models and inputs, ensuring reliable online core follow, margin tracking, and surveillance alignment with Technical Specifications.
• Design, analyze, and support deployment of neutron source assemblies, including mechanical and neutronics evaluations, integration with monitoring instrumentation, control of physical design interfaces, and strategy development for plant deployments.
• Exercise in-depth knowledge of industry best-practices and state-of-the-art advancements to continue to assess design and licensing basis and identify risks, challenges, and opportunities with the established design and methods.
• Ensure alignment and integration of licensed methods with application to services to customers and other end users.
• Provide technical leadership within Nuclear Design; design scope and direct complex analysis tasks in areas of expertise and mentor junior engineers.
• Prepare and verify engineering reports, calculations, studies, system descriptions, requirement specifications, and other design documents. Work on tasks in multiple and diverse areas.
• Support development and maintenance of licensed nuclear design methods and associated implementing analyses.
• Work collaboratively within Nuclear Fuels and among the Engineering organization to ensure design and analysis interfaces are adequately managed. Align analysis milestones with operations schedules, outage windows, and reload execution plans.
• Communicate professionally in areas of technical responsibility across disciplines, at various levels of the organization, and with internal and external stakeholders including customers and regulatory bodies.
• Develop innovative solutions to multifaceted technical challenges requiring original thinking, multi‑physics reasoning, and the ability to navigate uncertainty. Independently frame problems, propose solution strategies, and execute analyses with minimal oversight.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Flexibly support changing organizational priorities, including urgent analysis needs, cross‑functional reviews, technical troubleshooting, or special studies.

Skills

Core design

Neutronics

Reactor engineering

Safety analysis

Technical leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

BS in Nuclear/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering

MS desirable in Nuclear/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering

Job description

NOTE: THIS POSITION IS AVAILABLE FOR REMOTE WORK FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING BEYOND A 30 MILE RADIUS OF A PHYSICAL NUSCALE OFFICE BUT WITHIN THE CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Nuclear Engineer 4 reports to the Manager, Nuclear Design and works collaboratively with Thermal Hydraulics, Code Development, and Nuclear Methods teams within the broader Nuclear Fuels department, as well as with other Engineering, Licensing, and Plant Operations disciplines. This position is an experienced engineer that provides technical leadership and hands‑on delivery across core and fuel design and analysis, application of licensed methods to reload analysis, and at operations interfaces including reactor engineering, start‑up physics, and core monitoring. Practical knowledge of and experience with PWR reactor physics analyses is critical.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform core design and neutronics analysis for cycle design and reloads, including lattice physics generation, core loading optimization, and safety‑related physics inputs to engineering design and analysis interfaces and licensing.
• Prepare core monitoring inputs, COLR inputs, and other technical information for operations support. Translate method limits, assumptions, and uncertainties into practical guidance for plant engineering and operations.
• Configure, validate, and maintain core monitoring software models and inputs, ensuring reliable online core follow, margin tracking, and surveillance alignment with Technical Specifications.
• Design, analyze, and support deployment of neutron source assemblies, including mechanical and neutronics evaluations, integration with monitoring instrumentation, control of physical design interfaces, and strategy development for plant deployments.
• Exercise in-depth knowledge of industry best-practices and state-of-the-art advancements to continue to assess design and licensing basis and identify risks, challenges, and opportunities with the established design and methods.
• Ensure alignment and integration of licensed methods with application to services to customers and other end users.
• Provide technical leadership within Nuclear Design; design scope and direct complex analysis tasks in areas of expertise and mentor junior engineers.
• Prepare and verify engineering reports, calculations, studies, system descriptions, requirement specifications, and other design documents. Work on tasks in multiple and diverse areas.
• Support development and maintenance of licensed nuclear design methods and associated implementing analyses.
• Work collaboratively within Nuclear Fuels and among the Engineering organization to ensure design and analysis interfaces are adequately managed. Align analysis milestones with operations schedules, outage windows, and reload execution plans.
• Communicate professionally in areas of technical responsibility across disciplines, at various levels of the organization, and with internal and external stakeholders including customers and regulatory bodies.
• Develop innovative solutions to multifaceted technical challenges requiring original thinking, multi‑physics reasoning, and the ability to navigate uncertainty. Independently frame problems, propose solution strategies, and execute analyses with minimal oversight.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Flexibly support changing organizational priorities, including urgent analysis needs, cross‑functional reviews, technical troubleshooting, or special studies.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Problem solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, gathers and reviews information appropriately. Uses own judgment and acts independently; seeks input from other team members as appropriate for complex or sensitive situations.
• Oral/written communication: Listens carefully and speaks clearly and professionally in all situations. Edits work for accuracy and clarity. Is able to create, read, and interpret complex written information. Ability to develop strong interpersonal networks within the organization.
• Planning/organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities, organizes personal and project timelines and deadlines, tracks project timelines and deadlines, and uses time efficiently.
• Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent interruptions, changes, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability: Consistently on time and at work, responds to management expectations and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Team Building: Capable of developing strong interpersonal networks and trust within the organization.
• Safety Culture: Adheres to the NuScale Safety culture and is expected to model safe behavior and influence peers to meet high standards.
• Quality Assurance: Commits to the understanding and implementation of quality assurance regulations, standards and guidelines of 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, 10 CFR 21, and NQA-1.

MINIMUM SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND ABILITIES:

• Education: A minimum of B.S. degree in Nuclear, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering (or related discipline) from a four-year accredited college or university is required. An M.S. in Nuclear, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering is desirable.
• Experience: A minimum of 8 years of full-time, directly relevant engineering experience is required. Demonstrated experience in implementing engineering design processes for core design, neutronics, reactor engineering, and related safety analysis is required. Experience in fuel design or fuel performance preferred.
• Industry Requirements: Eligible to work under Department of Energy 10 CFR Part 810.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to understand and communicate clearly using a phone, personal interaction, and computers.
• Ability to learn new job functions and comprehend and understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately in a rapidly evolving environment.
• The employee frequently is required; to sit and stand; walk; bend, use hands to operate office equipment; and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to travel nationally and locally using common forms of transportation.

Disclaimer: Employee(s) must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately without causing significant safety threat to self or others. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employee(s) assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all employees in this classification.

NuScale Power, LLC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, national origin, disability or handicap, or veteran status.

Pay and Benefits:

The target pay range for this position is $127,104 - $153,401 annually.The full pay range is $113,955 - $178,237 annually.

At NuScale, compensation decisions are determined using factors such as relevant job-related skills, full-time working experience, education and training, equity within the department.

For information on employee benefits, please visit our Careers Overview page: Employee Benefits | NuScale Power