R&D Nuclear Engineer - Fuel Performance

BWXT; Lynchburg (VA); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and retirement plans

Flexible work schedules

Professional development opportunities

Inclusive atmosphere

Job summary

BWX Technologies, Inc. in Lynchburg, VA is seeking an R&D Nuclear Engineer – Fuel Performance to design, analyze, and optimize nuclear fuel systems using MOOSE/BISON and related tools.

You will develop predictive capabilities, contribute to licensing bases, and collaborate with materials, reactor physics, and thermal-hydraulics teams. The role requires a Bachelor’s in Engineering or Physics, 5+ years experience, strong programming (FORTRAN, Python, C/C++), experience with multi-physics modeling,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Physics required; advanced degree considered in lieu of experience.
• 5+ years of relevant experience; multi-physics modeling and FE analysis.
• Proficiency with FORTRAN, Python, C/C++, and scientific computing tools.
• Experience with nuclear fuel behavior under irradiation and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Execute detailed fuel performance simulations using MOOSE/BISON to evaluate thermo‑mechanical response and irradiation effects.
• Collaborate with materials, reactor physics, and thermohydraulics teams on design and analysis.
• Develop and refine constitutive models for fuel and cladding materials.
• Prepare technical analyses and regulatory documentation and support verification/validation activities.

Skills

Multi-physics modeling

Finite element analysis

Computational materials science

FORTRAN

Python

C

C++

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Physics

Tools

INL MOOSE/BISON

HPC environments

Job description

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At BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), we are People Strong, Innovation Driven. A U.S.-based company, BWXT is a Fortune 1000 and Defense News Top 100 manufacturing and engineering innovator that provides safe and effective nuclear solutions for global security, clean energy, environmental restoration, nuclear medicine and space exploration. With more than 7,800 employees, BWXT has 14 major operating sites in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers. Our company supplies precision manufactured components, services and fuel for the commercial nuclear power industry across four continents. Our joint ventures provide environmental restoration and operations management at a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities. BWXT’s technology is driving advances in medical radioisotope production in North America and microreactors for various defense and space applications. For more information, visit www.bwxt.com . Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram .

Welcome to BWXT

We believe in empowering our employees and cultivating a dynamic workplace that fosters growth and collaboration. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting your career, you'll find opportunities to challenge yourself, learn from seasoned experts, and contribute to nuclear innovation. We required a diverse range of skills to support our work in the markets that drive our business and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and life stages who are passionate about making a difference.

BWXT is People Strong, Innovation Driven - be part of BWXT’s innovation hub. BWXT’s Advanced Technologies (AT) group researches, designs, and develops innovative new nuclear reactors, nuclear rocket propulsion systems, and radioisotope production systems for both internal and external customers.

If you are looking for a career where your experience is valued, innovative thinking is fostered, and barrier-free teamwork is embraced every day, then this opportunity is for you.

Position Overview:

The R&D Nuclear Fuel Performance Engineer will support the design, analysis, and optimization of nuclear fuel systems by leveraging advanced multiphysics computational tools such as INL’s MOOSE/BISON. The role involves developing BWXT's fuel performance code set(s) predictive capabilities in evaluating fuel behavior under normal and off-normal conditions, and contributing to the engineering basis for licensing, fabrication, and operational decision‑making. This position requires strong technical proficiency, analytical thinking, and the ability to collaborate across multi‑disciplinary teams in materials engineering, reactor physics, and thermal‑hydraulics.

Location:

Remote or on‑site at the BWXT Innovation Campus site in Lynchburg, VA.

Your Day to Day as an R&D Nuclear Engineer – Fuel Performance:

• Execute detailed fuel performance simulations using MOOSE/BISON and related frameworks to evaluate thermo‑mechanical response, fission gas behavior, cladding deformation, and irradiation‑driven material evolution.
• Support R&D‑driven fuel design activities by integrating experimental data, advanced material models, and irradiation physics into engineering decisions.
• Develop and refine constitutive models for fuel and cladding materials, including creep, plasticity, swelling, phase transformations, and high‑temperature mechanical behavior.
• Analyze irradiation test results, PIE datasets, microstructural characterization, and thermophysical measurements to calibrate, validate, and improve fuel performance codes.
• Contribute to the design and evaluation of new fuel forms (e.g., ATF concepts, metallic fuels, composite claddings, advanced ceramics).
• Collaborate closely with reactor physicists, thermohydraulic analysts, materials scientists, fabrication engineers, and licensing specialists.
• Prepare technical analyses, R&D reports, and simulation documentation for internal use and regulatory interfaces.
• Maintain high‑quality modeling workflows and support verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification activities.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Physics is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience is required; an advanced degree may be considered in lieu of experience.
• Demonstrated experience with multi‑physics modeling, finite element analysis, or computational materials science tools.
• Experience and understanding of nuclear fuel behavior under irradiation (thermal, mechanical, and microstructural phenomena).
• Proficiency in scientific programming languages and engineering computation (FORTRAN, Python, C, C++, or similar).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a history of impactful technical contributions.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to clearly communicate technical findings.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) or Department of Defense (DOD) security clearance, whichever is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree +4 years or Ph.D degree +2 years of experience in Nuclear Engineering, Material Science, Physics or related field.
• In-depth experience using INL MOOSE/BISON or similar multiphysics nuclear fuel performance codes.
• In-depth experience with oxide, nitride, carbide (UO₂, UN, UC), metallic (U‑Zr, U‑Mo), and advanced fuel concepts (TRISO, ATF coatings, SiC cladding, composite systems).
• Knowledge of reactor physics, fuel cycle engineering, or regulatory frameworks (NRC, DOE).
• Experience with HPC environments, parallel computing, and performance optimization.
• Ability to design and execute R&D experiments or modeling campaigns to test new fuel concepts or material behaviors.
• Experience with verification, validation, sensitivity studies and uncertainty quantification method development associated with fuel qualification.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans.
• Flexible work schedules and paid time off to promote a healthy work‑life balance.
• Professional development opportunities, including mentorship programs and sponsorship for continuing education.
• An inclusive atmosphere that celebrates new perspectives and supports collaboration between different generations.
• The chance to be part of a mission‑driven organization making a positive impact on the future of energy.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and training to grow throughout your career!

Pay: $79,000.00- $119,000.00

The base salary range for this position in Virginia (US-VA) at the start of employment is expected to be between $79,000.00 and $119,000.00 per year. However, the base salary offered is based on local job market factors, and may vary further depending on factors specific to the selected job candidate, such as job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to these considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as an annual cash incentive in addition to a full range of medical, retirement, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided at such time the selected job candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, the selected job candidate will be employed 'at‑will,’ unless employed at a location and in a position subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The company further reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment, compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and other market factors.

As a federal government contractor, BWX Technologies, Inc. and any subsidiaries, affiliates and related entities (“BWXT” or the “Company”) complies with all federal, state, and local laws and customer requirements regarding health and safety protocols. As such, all BWXT new hires will be required to adhere to applicable Company health and safety requirements within the workplace as a condition of employment.

All candidates must be U.S. citizens. Selected applicants are required to successfully complete a pre‑employment check and drug screening. In addition, the position may require the ability to obtain and maintain applicable federal eligibility requirements for access to classified/sensitive information or matter which involves an extensive criminal and financial background investigation, drug test, previous employment, and reference verifications.

BWXT is committed to the concept of Equal Employment Opportunity. We have established procedures to ensure that all personnel actions such as recruitment, compensation, career development, benefits, company‑sponsored training and social recreational programs are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, protected veteran or other protected status.

Nearest Major Market:

Lynchburg

Nearest Secondary Market:

Virginia

Job Segment:

R&D, R&D Engineer, Nuclear Physics, Thermal Engineering, Physics, Research, Engineering, Science