Nuclear Engineering 3 (R&D)

NuScale Power; United States; Remote; USD 109,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

NuScale Power, LLC is seeking a nuclear engineer to perform core design calculations and transient analyses for microreactor technology. The role will support fuel cycle evaluations, code validation, and regulatory engagement, contributing to R&D across related programs.

The position requires a BS in nuclear engineering with 5+ years in neutronic modeling, shielding, and depletion analysis; Python scripting and MCNP/Serpent/KENO experience are essential.

Qualifications

• BS in nuclear engineering required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 5 years in neutronic modeling, shielding design, and depletion analysis.
• Experience with Python scripting and neutronic codes (MCNP/Serpent/KENO).
• Experience with depletion/activation/source term codes (ORIGEN).
• Understanding of irradiation effects and dose/consequence modeling.

Responsibilities

• Performs core design calculations and optimization.
• Evaluates fuel cycle options including recycling.
• Reviews codes for microreactor transient analysis suitability.
• Conducts transient analysis for normal and off-normal events.
• Supports regulatory engagement for nuclear analysis methods.
• Contributes to R&D in microreactor development.

Skills

Python scripting

Neutronic modeling

Radiation dose analysis

Transient analysis

Education

BS Nuclear Engineering

Tools

MCNP

Serpent

KENO

ORIGEN

SCALE

Job description

NOTE: This position is available for remote work within the contiguous United States with travel as required for business purposes.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position will report to the manager for product development and will be part of a dynamic high impact team focused on developing NuScale’s microreactor technology. The team reports to the CTO. NuScale’s microreactor technology is in the early stages of development and the target market for this product includes research reactor and commercial distributed power and heat applications at a thermal power scale smaller than NuScale’s commercial small modular reactor. This role will be responsible for performing nuclear analysis, including core design, fuel cycle and transient analysis.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs core design calculations and core design optimization studies
• Evaluates the cost benefit of different fuel cycle options including fuel recycling
• Evaluates computer codes for suitability for microreactor nuclear transient analysis
• Performs transient analysis for normal and off-normal reactor transients
• Supports coupled code analysis with thermal systems codes
• Performs radiation shielding and radiation dose analysis
• Develops and documents methods used for analyses
• Supports regulatory engagement for nuclear analysis codes and methods
• Performs R&D tasks in support of microreactor development and other programs within the Office of Technology
• Performs other duties as required

CORE COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, the individual should demonstrate competencies in performing the essential functions of this position by performing satisfactorily in each of these competencies.

• Business Acumen: A strategic thinker with good business perspective and an understanding of the company’s business. Able to function comfortably in political interactions. Capable of developing strong interpersonal networks within the organization.
• Problem solving: Decisive with good judgment. Identifies and resolves problems in an efficient and effective 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: Strong communication skills, externally and internally. 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.
• Planning/organizing: Capable leader; able to establish a vision and align an organization around the vision. Prioritizes and plans work activities, organizes personal and project timelines and deadlines, tracks project timelines and deadlines, and uses time efficiently.
• Integrity: Is trusted by peers and subordinates.
• 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.
• Team Building: Capable of developing strong interpersonal networks and trust within the organization. Leads consensus by involving all stakeholders, facilitating their understanding of differences, agreeing on requirements and constraints, and developing the best solution.
• Safety Culture: Adheres to the Corporate 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 B.S. in nuclear engineering from accredited college or university is required. An advanced degree is preferred.

Experience

Minimum of 5 years of full-time, directly relevant engineering experience in neutronic modeling, shielding design, and depletion analysis is required. Additional required and preferred experience in the following areas include:

• Experience with a scripting language (e.g. Python) is required.
• Experience with neutronic codes such as MCNP, Serpent, or KENO is required. Familiarity with the SCALE code suite is preferred.
• Experience with depletion, activation, and source term codes such as ORIGEN is required.
• Knowledge of material irradiation effects (e.g. dose consequence, displacements per atom, void formation) and irradiation modeling is preferred.

Industry Requirements: Eligible to work under Department of Energy 10 CFR Part 810.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 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. When the testing program grows in future years, this position will require more travel, up to 30% of time domestically.

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 $108,908 - $131,441 annually. The full pay range is $97,642 - $152,722 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