Research Engineer

NC State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 135,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare benefits

Wellness & Recreation Membership

Wellness Programs

Job summary

NC State University’s Department of Nuclear Engineering seeks a Research Engineer with a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and 10+ years of focused experience. The role emphasizes reactor analyses, experimental design, and advanced simulations using multiple HPC tools.

The candidate will lead operations and training for NRC licensure, design and maintain reactor facility systems, and develop safety procedures while contributing to research publications and project proposals.

Qualifications

• PhD in Nuclear Engineering required with 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in reactor facility operations, proposal development, and design/testing of experimental systems.
• Strong ability to design and implement laboratory safety and radiation protection procedures.

Responsibilities

• Reactor Operations and Training: oversee training to obtain NRC licensure and maintain compliance.
• System Design and Maintenance: participate in design, installation, testing, operation and upkeep of reactor equipment and experimental facilities.
• Procedure and Protocol Development: create detailed specifications and safety procedures for systems and experiments.
• Computational Modeling and Simulation: run reactor/core simulations using HPC resources.
• Research and Development: design facilities and conduct advanced research; propose enhancements.
• Documentation and Publication: contribute to reports, papers, and research proposals.

Skills

Reactor analyses

Proposal development

Educational program design

Mentoring/training

Education

PhD in Nuclear Engineering

Tools

MCNP

Serpent

NJOY

OpenFOAM

VASP

PHONON

Fortran

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Working Title

Research Engineer

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.

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.

• 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
• Radiation protection and shielding
• Analytical chemistry
• 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

Commercial Driver's License required

Position Type

EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

1.0

Appointment

12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather

Mandatory - 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

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.

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.