Senior Engineer, Plant Thermal Hydraulics Methods

Protingent; Bellevue (WA); Remote; USD 72,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Insurance plan options

Education/certification reimbursement

Pre-tax commuter benefits

Paid Time Off (PTO)

401k plan

Job summary

Protingent is seeking a Senior Engineer to develop plant-scale thermal hydraulics methods and support licensing activities in Bellevue, WA. You will create numerical strategies, validation plans, and workflow automation to streamline model development.

The role requires 5+ years in system-level thermal hydraulic modeling, strong programming skills (Python/MATLAB), and experience with RELAP5-3D, GOTHIC, or SAS. Collaboration across disciplines and adherence to NQA-1 practices are essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of system-level thermal hydraulic modeling experience.
• Experience developing or improving analysis methods including closure models and numerical schemes.
• Familiarity with NQA 1 quality assurance for modeling workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develop plant-scale thermal hydraulic analysis methods and closure models.
• Perform steady-state and transient analyses to assess model fidelity.
• Support method qualification, verification, and performance characterization.
• Integrate closure models into existing analysis frameworks and ensure traceability.

Skills

Thermal hydraulics modeling

Numerical methods

Workflow automation

Technical communication

NQA 1 familiarity

Scientific programming

Education

B.S. in Mechanical, Nuclear, or Chemical Engineering

Tools

RELAP5 3D

GOTHIC

SAS

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Position Title

Senior Engineer, Plant Thermal Hydraulics Methods

Position Description

Protingent Staffing has an exciting contract Senior Engineer, Plant Thermal Hydraulics Methods opportunity.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop plant-scale thermal hydraulic analysis methods, including modeling strategies, numerical approaches, and closure models.
• Perform steady-state and transient system-level analyses to characterize model behavior, assess method performance, and define method fidelity requirements.
• Support method qualification, including numerical verification, applicability envelopes, and performance characterization.
• Formulate and integrate closure models and correlations (e.g., heat transfer, pressure drop, mixing, component-level physics) into existing analysis frameworks.
• Identify modeling gaps and support method enhancement using and sensitivity studies.
• Develop automated workflows and tools for model setup, execution, post processing, and repeatable method application.
• Document modeling methodologies, assumptions, method applicability, and numerical performance for design processes and licensing support activities.
• Work across disciplines to ensure thermal hydraulic methods integrate effectively with plant design, safety analysis, and coupled simulation workflows.
• Apply and improve Company's SQA and NQA 1 modeling practices, ensuring traceability, configuration control, and reproducibility of methods.

Job Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical, Nuclear, Chemical Engineering, or similar fields, with 5+ years of experience in system-level thermal hydraulic modeling and method development for nuclear or complex energy systems.
• Demonstrated experience in developing or improving analysis methods, including numerical scheme development, closure model formulation, and stability/accuracy optimization strategies.
• Experience performing system-level thermal hydraulic analyses using tools such as RELAP5 3D, GOTHIC, SAS, or equivalent, with the ability to extend or tailor modeling approaches within these frameworks.
• Strong foundation in thermal fluids and reactor system behavior, including complex thermal hydraulic phenomena relevant to advanced reactor designs.
• Experience in sensitivity analyses and model gap identification that support method development priorities.
• Familiarity with scientific programming and workflow automation (e.g., Python, MATLAB).
• Familiarity with NQA 1 quality assurance for modeling workflows, including documented methodologies, configuration control, and model traceability.
• Strong analytical thinking, clear technical communication, and the ability to support multiple method development efforts in parallel.

Travel Required

0-5%

Contract Pay Rate Range

$52 - $85 *Pay rates are approved based on candidate location, education and experience*

Location

Bellevue, WA or 100% REMOTE

Export control regulations

Export control regulations require candidates to be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Legal Permanent Resident, or of a protected person status

Benefits Package

• competitive salaries
• insurance plan options (HDHP plan or POS plan)
• education/certification reimbursement
• pre-tax commuter benefits
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• an administered 401k plan

About Protingent

Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation — from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.