Senior Engineer - Reload/Core Design

Vistra Nuclear Operations Company; Texas; On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Vistra Nuclear Operations Company invites applications for a Nuclear Fuel Reload Design Engineer. The role leads planning, integration, and execution of reactor-core fuel reload designs, coordinating engineering, fuel vendors, operations, licensing, and QA to ensure safe, compliant, and schedule-ready outcomes.

The position supports multiple sites, including Comanche Peak in Glen Rose, TX, with emphasis on cross-disciplinary collaboration to deliver technically sound designs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited program.
• Minimum six years of relevant engineering experience.
• Ability to interpret technical analyses and effectively communicate technical information, recommendations, risks and decisions.

Responsibilities

• Identify, plan, and perform engineering activities to meet objectives and business needs.
• Lead evaluation and resolution of complex technical and operational issues using sound engineering judgment.
• Coordinate projects, studies, and initiatives through completion, including scope, milestones, risks, resources, and deliverables.
• Support and coordinate nuclear fuel and core design activities, including fuel management strategy and reactor-physics analyses.
• Provide technical integration across engineering disciplines and affected organizations to ensure work is complete and reviewed.
• Lead project meetings, technical reviews, and readiness activities; communicate status, risks, decisions, and recommendations.
• Prepare and present technical reports, evaluations, and recommendations supporting complex engineering decisions.

Skills

Engineering judgment

Cross-functional coordination

Nuclear engineering

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

If you have what it takes to become part of the Vistra family and would like to start a promising career with a global leader, take a look at the exciting employment opportunities that are currently available.

Job Summary

The Nuclear Fuel Reload Design Engineer leads the planning, integration, execution, and closeout of reactor-core fuel reload design projects for Comanche Peak. This role coordinates cross‑functional engineering, fuel vendor, operations, outage, licensing, and quality‑assurance activities to deliver technically sound, schedule‑ready, and configuration‑controlled reload designs that support safe plant operation. The role is accountable for integrated project performance—scope, schedule, cost, risk, quality, and stakeholder alignment—while ensuring reload‑related analyses, documentation, reviews, and changes are completed in accordance with approved station processes, licensing bases, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Job Description

This position can be based at any of our nuclear sites:

• Comanche Peak (Glen Rose, TX) - preferred
• Davis‑Besse (Oak Harbor, OH)
• Perry (Perry, OH)
• Beaver Valley (Shippingport, PA)
• Downtown Operations Center (Akron, OH)

Key Accountabilities

• Identify, plan, and perform engineering activities required to meet assigned objectives, schedules, and business needs.
• Lead evaluation and resolution of complex technical and operational issues using sound engineering judgment.
• Coordinate projects, studies, and initiatives through completion, including scope, milestones, risks, resources, and deliverables.
• Support and coordinate nuclear fuel and core design activities, including fuel management strategy, reactor‑physics analyses, thermal‑hydraulic considerations, and cycle‑specific operating limits.
• Provide technical integration across engineering disciplines and affected organizations to ensure work is complete, technically sound, and appropriately reviewed.
• Participate in evaluations of design, methodology, equipment, and procedural changes, including application of the 10 CFR 50.59 process.
• Coordinate with internal organizations, external fuel suppliers, vendors, and contractors to support project execution and resolve technical issues.
• Lead project meetings, technical reviews, and readiness activities; communicate status, risks, decisions, and recommendations.
• Prepare and present technical reports, evaluations, and recommendations supporting complex engineering decisions.
• Lead complex problem‑solving efforts, including evaluation of alternatives, assessment of risk, and implementation of solutions.
• Ensure engineering work and deliverables comply with applicable procedures, configuration management, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in and, as needed, lead special projects, committees, technical reviews, and industry activities.
• Provide technical guidance and support to less‑experienced engineers and team members.
• Comply with applicable safety policies and procedures and promote a safe working environment.

Education, Experience and Skill Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical, Industrial, Nuclear) from an accredited program.
• Minimum six years of relevant engineering experience.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered consistent with applicable grade‑level requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve complex technical issues and coordinate engineering work across multiple disciplines or organizations.
• Working knowledge of engineering processes, configuration management, design changes, quality requirements, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ability to interpret technical analyses and effectively communicate technical information, recommendations, risks and decisions.
• Strong written, verbal, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required site access and meet applicable security, fitness‑for‑duty, training, and qualification requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Nuclear Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Experience in nuclear power engineering, reactor engineering, nuclear fuel, core design, licensing, outage support, or technical project management.
• Experience with reactor‑core design, fuel management, reactor‑physics analysis, fuel‑performance evaluation, or cycle‑specific operating limits.
• Familiarity with nuclear fuel vendors, engineering change processes, configuration management, 10 CFR 50.59, technical specifications, or Core Operating Limits Reports.
• Experience leading or coordinating cross‑functional technical projects, refueling outages, or other major nuclear initiatives.
• Advanced degree, Professional Engineer license, PMP certification, or other relevant professional credentials.

Key Metrics

• Teamwork and collaboration skills across organizational boundaries
• Able to communicate complex issues effectively through written and verbal communication
• Able to influence by establishing effective working relationships across organizational boundaries
• In‑depth understanding of power plant equipment and system interrelationships.
• Able to evaluate technical alternatives in light of their economic contribution to the business
• Able to apply systematic problem‑solving processes to address complex issues

Job Family Engineering Services Company Vistra Nuclear Operations Company Locations Glen Rose, Texas Texas

We are a company of people committed to: Exceeding Customer Expectations, Great People, Teamwork, Competitive Spirit and Effective Communication.

It is the policy of the Company to comply with all employment laws and to afford equal employment opportunity to individuals in all aspects of employment, including in selection for job opportunities, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military service, protected veteran status, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance submitting an application or would like to request an accommodation, please email us at [e-mail] to make a request.

Vistra (NYSE: VST) is a leading Fortune 500 integrated retail electricity and power generation company based in Irving, Texas, that provides essential power resources to customers, businesses, and communities from California to Maine.

Vistra is the largest competitive power generator in the U.S., with a capacity of approximately 41,000 megawatts, or enough to power 20 million homes, operating in all of the major competitive wholesale markets in the country.

Vistra is a leader in the energy transformation and expansion with an unyielding focus on reliability, affordability, and sustainability, powered by a diverse portfolio that includes natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar, and battery energy storage facilities.

The company continues to grow its zero‑carbon resources, operating the second‑largest fleet of competitive nuclear power plants in the country, substantial battery energy storage capacity, and a growing number of solar facilities.

Vistra is one of the largest competitive electricity providers in the country and takes an innovative, customer‑centric approach to retail, offering solutions to meet customers’ needs, including more than 50 renewable energy plans.

Through its family of retail brands, Vistra serves approximately 5 million residential, commercial, and industrial retail customers.

As a leader in the responsible transformation of the country’s energy supply, Vistra has made significant progress towards its 2030 and 2050 targets.

The company has committed to a 60% reduction of Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, as compared to our 2010 baseline, and net‑zero carbon emissions by 2050, assuming necessary technological advancements and public policy incentives are achieved.

Learn more about our environmental, social, and governance efforts and read the company’s sustainability report at https://vistracorp.com/sustainability/.

Vistra’s hardworking team is committed to its purpose, “lighting up lives, powering a better way forward” and is guided by four core principles: we do business the right way, we work as a team, we compete to win, and we care about our stakeholders, including our customers, our communities where we work and live, our employees, and our investors.

Learn more about how Vistra is powering a better way forward at vistracorp.com.

Come join us and be part of something special!

It is the policy of the Company to comply with all employment laws and to afford equal employment opportunity to individuals in all aspects of employment, including in selection for job opportunities, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military service, protected veteran status, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance submitting an application or would like to request an accommodation, please email us at [e-mail] to make a request.