Nuclear Fuel Performance and Mechanical Engineer

Lightbridge Corporation; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary bonuses and equity awards

Remote-first work culture

101% company-paid health, dental, and

Job summary

Lightbridge Corporation seeks a Principal/Senior Nuclear Fuels Engineer for a remote, multilevel role focused on fuel performance simulations and design optimization for lightbridge fuel. You will develop and benchmark codes, coordinate with partners, and contribute to licensing efforts.

The position requires extensive experience in nuclear or mechanical engineering, proficiency with FEM tools (BISON/MOOSE, ABAQUS, ANSYS, DEFORM, SOLIDWORKS), and the ability to work in a collaborative,

Qualifications

• BS degree in Nuclear Engineering or closely related field with 14+ years of experience, MS with 12+ years, or PhD with 10+ years.
• Senior: BS+5+ years, MS+4+ years, or PhD+3+ years in nuclear or mechanical engineering.
• Ability to obtain export-control fuel performance codes.
• Experience with multiple FEM/CAE frameworks is preferred.
• Experience with thermal-mechanical simulations for fuel performance and core reloads.
• Knowledge of neutronics/core design, fuel performance, and seismic analysis.

Responsibilities

• Perform simulations and analyses to optimize Lightbridge Fuel design for various reactor types.
• Develop and implement fuel performance codes and benchmarking methods.
• Conduct in-pile/out-of-pile experimental analyses and coordinate with partner organizations.
• Review FEM simulations and analyses for accuracy and reliability.
• Collaborate to determine simulation approaches for licensing Lightbridge Fuel.
• Document simulations and analyses in engineering reports.
• Publish results in peer-reviewed or popular publications.
• Contribute to regulatory submittal reports for Lightbridge Fuel.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Team player

Excellent communication

Education

Nuclear Engineering (BS

Nuclear Engineering (MS

Nuclear Engineering (PhD

Tools

BISON/MOOSE

ABAQUS

ANSYS

DEFORM

SOLIDWORKS

Job description

At Lightbridge, we’re pioneering advanced nuclear fuel technology that’s designed to make reactors safer, more efficient, and more responsive to global energy needs. Our mission is bold and we’re looking for equally bold thinkers to help us bring it to life. If you thrive at the intersection of engineering and regulatory strategy, this is your opportunity to help shape the future of clean energy.

Overview:

This is a multilevel, full-time remote role for a Principal/Senior Nuclear Fuels Engineer. The Nuclear Engineer will perform fuel performance simulations related to rods and assembly level, assembly level conceptual design, extrusion simulations to model fabrication processes, and/or code development for fuel performance applications and Lightbridge Fuel. This work will be used in various types of water-cooled reactors, in support of qualifying and licensing Lightbridge Fuel.

Responsibilities

• Performing simulations & analyses to optimize the Lightbridge Fuel design for various reactor types for various fuel cycle objectives (e.g. improved safety margins, burnup extension, power uprates, load-follow operation, waste volume reduction).
• Developing & implementing code, methods, and models of fuel performance codes and benchmarking these simulations.
• Performing calculations and simulations to inform design, execution, and analysis of in-pile and out-of-pile experiments and other analyses performed by partner organizations.
• Performing independent reviews of fuel performance and finite element method (FEM) simulations and analyses performed by other Lightbridge staff or partner organizations, as necessary.
• Working collaboratively with other Lightbridge staff to determine engineering approach to simulations/analyses necessary to support development and licensing of Lightbridge Fuel.
• Documenting simulations and analysis in engineering reports.
• Reporting results of selected simulations/analyses in peer-reviewed or popular publications.
• Contributing to reports to support regulatory submittals of Lightbridge Fuel.

Required Experience:

• BS Degree in Nuclear Engineering or closely related field + 14 years relevant experience, or MS Degree in Nuclear Engineering or closely related field + 12 years relevant experience, or PhD in Nuclear Engineering or closely related field + 10 years relevant experience. For exceptional candidates, fewer years of relevant work experience will be considered.
• Senior:
  • BS and 5+ years, MS and 4+ years, or PhD Degree and 3+ years relevant work experience in the areas of nuclear or mechanical engineering. For exceptional candidates, fewer years of relevant work experience will be considered.
• Ability to be approved and acquire export control fuel performance codes.
• Extensive experience with modelling and simulation using at least one of the codes/frameworks: BISON/MOOSE, ABAQUS, ANSYS, DEFORM, SOLIDWORKS. Experience in both implicit and explicit FEM codes is preferred; multiple frameworks are excellent.
• Working experience developing thermal-mechanical simulations to support fuel performance analysis and core reloads.
• Working knowledge of neutronics/core design, fuel performance, and/or seismic analysis and from across these areas.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to pass background check and pre‑employment drug screening.
• Ability to access US National Labs and other relevant facilities where Lightbridge projects are conducted.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of reactor physics, mechanical design, and nuclear fuel design.
• Experience in the area of metallic nuclear fuels, especially U‑Zr and materials science, is advantageous.
• Familiarity with ASME Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA-1) requirements.
• Experience with fabrication processes is advantageous.
• Development experience for subroutines and code objects to interact with FEM codes is excellent.
• Experience working closely with industry, national laboratories, and nuclear regulators is advantageous.
• Experience designing nuclear assemblies for PWRs/BWRs.

Lightbridge is committed to supporting the people who power our mission. We offer a comprehensive, competitive benefits program designed to promote well‑being, flexibility, and long‑term growth, including:

• Competitive salary and performance bonuses, including cash and equity awards
• Remote-first work culture with opportunities for travel
• 100% company-paid health, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with 100% company match
• Generous time off and family care benefits
• Up to 32 hours per year of company-covered professional development course fees

If you’re excited about contributing to work that will help shape the future of clean energy, we encourage you to apply. We look forward to learning more about you and the impact you can make at Lightbridge.

As set forth in Lightbridge Corporation, a Nevada corporation’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.