Nuclear Fuel Transition Lead — Uprate Program

Vistra Nuclear Operations Company; Kentucky; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Vistra Nuclear Operations Company in Perry, Ohio is seeking a senior Lead Fuels Engineer to direct the nuclear fuel transition as part of a major uprate program. This role provides technical leadership and program ownership for all fuel-related aspects of the uprate, including fuel design integration, licensing support, vendor management, and plant implementation.

You will own the senior technical authority for fuel performance and licensing deliverables, ensuring regulatory compliance and

Qualifications

• 8+ years of commercial nuclear experience with fuel, reactor engineering or licensing.
• Experience reviewing and accepting licensing deliverables for a utility or plant owner.
• Experience managing nuclear fuel vendors or major engineering suppliers.
• Strong understanding of reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, safety analysis, and NRC licensing basis.

Responsibilities

• Lead the fleet-wide fuel transition strategy across three plants supporting the uprate.
• Integrate fuel engineering across uprate workstreams including safety analysis, reactor physics, and startup readiness.
• Define acceptance criteria and provide senior leadership with recommendations on readiness and risk.
• Approve or reject vendor analyses, safety reports, and licensing deliverables for NRC submittals.
• Ensure vendor products are technically sound, regulatory-ready, and fit for NRC submittal.
• Serve as primary technical interface with the nuclear fuel vendor and manage schedules.
• Support NRC interactions and licensing basis development for uprate-related fuel changes.
• Develop and execute the integrated fuel transition plan across all three units.

Skills

Nuclear engineering

Fuel design

Licensing

Vendor management

Reactor physics

Thermal hydraulics

Safety analysis

NRC licensing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

PE license or equivalent credential

Tools

NQA-1 quality programs

Job description

Vistra Nuclear Operations Company in Perry, Ohio is seeking a senior Lead Fuels Engineer to direct the nuclear fuel transition as part of a major uprate program. This role provides technical leadership and program ownership for all fuel-related aspects of the uprate, including fuel design integration, licensing support, vendor management, and plant implementation.

You will own the senior technical authority for fuel performance and licensing deliverables, ensuring regulatory compliance and