Research Engineer

NC State College of Engineering; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Retirement Programs

Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Job summary

NC State University’s Nuclear Engineering Department in Raleigh is seeking a Research Engineer to advance reactor operations training, system design, and experimental facility support for the PULSTAR program.

The role requires a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering and 10+ years of experience with reactor analyses, modeling with MCNP/Serpent/NJOY/OpenFOAM, and strong Fortran/Python programming, plus HPC work.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering with ≥10 years of related experience.
• Experience providing technical input for proposals and research collaborations.
• Design and installation of experimental apparatus and testing; developing reports.

Responsibilities

• Reactor Operations and Training: pursue NRC licensure and support operations.
• System Design and Maintenance: participate in design, installation, testing, operation and maintenance of reactor systems.
• Procedure and Protocol Development: create lab safety and radiation protection procedures.
• Computational Modeling and Simulation: run reactor core simulations using HPC resources.
• Research and Development: design facilities and conduct complex experiments; propose enhancements.
• Documentation and Publication: contribute to reports and scholarly papers; support proposals.
• Nuclear System Analysis: perform simulations and data generation to ensure safe reactor operation.

Skills

Fortran

Python

MCNP

Serpent

NJOY

OpenFOAM

VASP

PHONON

Molecular modeling

Nuclear reactor analysis

Radiation transport codes

Education

Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Job description

Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number PG194222EP Internal Recruitment No Working Title Research Engineer Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with Education and Experience Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm Job Location Raleigh, NC Department Nuclear Engineering

About the Department

The Department of Nuclear Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Nuclear Engineering. We are the only nuclear engineering program in the state of North Carolina and one of the premier departments in the southeast United States. Our purpose is to enhance, promote, and utilize the PULSTAR research reactor and associated facilities in an exemplary manner, leading to national recognition as a premier 1-MW Nuclear Reactor Program dedicated to research, teaching, and extension. The PULSTAR reactor facility is available for use by research faculty and staff within the UNC system or at other academic institutions, and by governmental agencies and industries in the State of North Carolina and the Nation.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What We Offer

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties

• Reactor Operations and Training: Receive comprehensive training to obtain licensure as a Senior Reactor Operator from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
• System Design and Maintenance: Participate in the design, installation, testing, operation, and maintenance of reactor plant and experimental facility systems.
• Procedure and Protocol Development: Develop detailed specifications for reactor and experiment system components, including design requirements and operational and maintenance procedures. Create and implement laboratory safety and radiation protection procedures and protocols to support reactor research.
• Computational Modeling and Simulation: Formulate and execute reactor core and system simulations using high-performance computing (HPC) resources to ensure safe reactor operation.
• Research and Development: Design experimental facilities and conduct complex research utilizing computational resources. Formulate research methodologies and propose enhancements to improve research quality.
• Documentation and Publication: Contribute to project documentation and reporting, author scholarly papers, and support the development of proposals for new projects.
• Nuclear System Analysis: Perform nuclear system simulations, experimental facility design, and nuclear data generation to support the safe operation of the PULSTAR nuclear research reactor. Utilize HPC resources to run atomistic simulation, nuclear data generation, and radiation transport codes.

Other Responsibilities

• Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• For the Research Engineer position relevant Ph.D degree in Nuclear Engineering. Greater than or equal to 10 years of experience with each of the following activities:
• Utilization of reactor facility including administration of a service center.
• Providing technical input for generating proposals for academic and corporate users.
• Design and installation of experimental apparatus, and performing testing and generating reports.

Other Required Qualifications

• Understand technical operating, service or repair manuals.
• Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Experience in the following areas: Nuclear reactor analyses, nuclear reactor benchmarks; Experimental nuclear facility design, nuclear data evaluation and validation, and modeling using molecular methods. Strong capabilities in using MCNP, Serpent, NJOY, OpenFoam, VASP, and PHONON codes. Strong programming skills using languages such as Fortran and Python, and utilities such as MATLAB.
• Strong capabilities in using Multiphysics simulation codes.

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with tenets and implementation of safety and security culture and cyber-security mitigations at a research reactor facility desirable. Experience with electronic systems including analog instrumentation, industrial I&C, LV power, automation, and/or radiation detection is desirable. Knowledge of analytical chemistry, chemical safety and hygiene, and/or radiochemistry are encouraged.

• Analog electrical instruments
• Industrial I&C and automation
• LV power
• Radiation detection
• Radiation protection and shielding
• Analytical chemistry
• Radiochemistry
• Chemical safety and hygiene
• Familiarity with design and operation of high and very-high vacuum systems

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

• N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required No Commercial Driver's License required No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date 09/11/2025 Anticipated Close Date Open Until Filled

Position Details

Position Number 00108861 Position Type EPS/SAAO Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.0 Appointment 12 Month Recurring Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Mandatory - Fire/Explosions, Mandatory - Medical Emergencies, Mandatory - Hazardous Material Incidents, Mandatory - Transportation Accidents, Mandatory - Evacuations/Natural Hazards, Mandatory - Utilities/Infrastructure Failure, Mandatory - Threats of Violence/Terrorism/Interpersonal Emergencies Department ID 141201 - Nuclear Reactor Program EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Application Materials Required

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Contact Information for References