Thermal-Hydraulics Engineer - Commercial Nuclear

Johnson Service Group, Inc.; Corvallis (OR); Remote; USD 103,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson Service Group (JSG) seeks a Thermal‑Hydraulics Engineer – Commercial Nuclear for a remote, 40‑hour/week contract through 2027. The role supports SMR and ALWR programs, performing complex TH analyses with VIPRE and RELAP5, and coordinating with design, safety, and licensing teams.

Applicants should have a BS in Nuclear, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering and at least 8 years of direct experience in subchannel TH and safety analyses.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Nuclear, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering (or related).
• 8+ years of full-time relevant engineering experience.
• Experience with subchannel TH analyses and transient/safety analysis.
• Experience with RELAP5.

Responsibilities

• Prepare VIPRE subchannel analyses, including CHF predictions and margin evaluations.
• Prepare RELAP system-level TH evaluations (LOCA, transients, design basis).
• Lead cross-functional thermal-hydraulic reviews for reload safety analyses and licensing deliverables.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to licensing documentation.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Independent work

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

B.S. in Nuclear/Mechanical/Chemical Eng

Advanced degree desirable

Tools

VIPRE

RELAP5

Job description

Johnson Service Group (JSG) is a professional staffing firm, and we are recruiting a Thermal‑Hydraulics Engineer – Commercial Nuclear. This contract role offers the opportunity to join one of the industry leaders in developing small modular reactor (SMR) technology and deploying next‑generation Advanced Light Water Reactors (ALWR) as they advance from design to plant implementation.

Location: This position allows the work to be performed REMOTELY within the contiguous United States, with travel as required for business needs.

Hourly contract rate range: $75-$85.00 p/h (DOE)

Citizenship Status: Due to Federal DOE regulations, U.S. Citizenship is required

Eligibility: Eligible to work under Department of Energy 10 CFR Part 810

Contract Duration: This is a 40 hour/week contract position expected to last through 2027.

Education: A minimum of a B.S. degree in Nuclear, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering (or related discipline) from a four‑year accredited college or university is required. An advanced degree in Nuclear, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering is desirable.

Experience: A minimum of 8 years of full‑time, directly relevant engineering experience is required. Experience in implementing engineering design processes for subchannel thermal‑hydraulics, transient analysis, and related safety analysis is required. Experience with RELAP5 is required.

Industry Requirements: Eligible to work under Department of Energy 10 CFR Part 810.

Summary: The SAUG Thermal‑Hydraulics Engineer reports to the Manager, Thermal Hydraulics and works collaboratively with Nuclear Methods, Nuclear Design, and Code Development teams within the broader Nuclear Fuels department, as well as with other Engineering disciplines and Operations functions. This position is for an engineer experienced in nuclear thermal‑hydraulic analyses, codes, and methods, as well as familiar with interfaces with core design, neutronics, and design basis event analysis. The role is responsible for executing and reviewing system‑level thermal‑hydraulic evaluations using RELAP and subchannel analyses using VIPRE in accordance with licensed methods. The engineer supports reload safety analyses, SMR product development, plant operational evaluations, and customer‑specific projects. This role will apply industry best practices and knowledge of state‑of‑the‑art methods to support management of licensed thermal‑hydraulic methods, design basis thermal‑hydraulic evaluations, and customer‑specific application of codes and analysis methods. Practical knowledge of key discipline interfaces within Nuclear Fuels is critical.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare and verify VIPRE subchannel analyses, including CHF predictions and margin evaluations, in accordance with approved methods.
• Prepare and verify RELAP system‑level TH evaluations, including LOCA, non‑LOCA transients, and design basis evaluations, in accordance with approved methods.
• Evaluate the suitability of system designs, operating functions, and engineered features to perform required safety functions, ensuring alignment with licensed methods and design basis requirements.
• Recommend design modifications that preserve safety margins while maintaining system performance objectives, operational practicality, and integration with the overall plant design.
• Lead cross‑functional thermal‑hydraulic reviews for reload safety analyses, plant design changes, operational concepts, and licensing deliverables.
• Identify margin sensitivities and cross‑discipline interface impacts.
• Support development and maintenance of licensed TH methods and associated implementing analyses.
• Maintain TH modeling standards, evaluate method applicability ranges, and advise on code and model updates.
• Participate in application and translation of licensed methods into alternate regulatory frameworks in support of international customers.
• Support adaptation of TH methodologies to country‑specific regulatory expectations.
• Work collaboratively within the Nuclear Fuels organization to ensure design and analysis interfaces are adequately managed, including with core and fuel design, subchannel TH, and transient analysis.
• Provide technical leadership within Thermal Hydraulics; mentor junior engineers and lead complex analysis tasks in areas of expertise.
• Contribute to technical development of licensing technical or topical reports, license applications, and other licensing documentation, and participate in licensing interactions, including interface with the government regulator in areas of technical responsibility.
• Prepare and verify engineering reports, calculations, studies, system descriptions, requirement specifications, and other design documents with particular emphasis on subchannel and system thermal‑hydraulics.
• Work on tasks in multiple and diverse areas.
• Develop innovative solutions to multifaceted technical challenges requiring original thinking, multi‑physics reasoning, and the ability to navigate uncertainty.
• Independently frame problems, propose solution strategies, and execute analyses with minimal oversight.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Flexibly support changing organizational priorities, including urgent analysis needs, cross‑functional reviews, technical troubleshooting, or special studies.

Core Competencies:

• Problem solving: Identifies and resolves problems promptly, gathers and reviews information appropriately. Uses own judgment and acts independently; seeks input from other team members as appropriate for complex or sensitive situations.
• Oral/written communication: Listens carefully and speaks clearly and professionally in all situations. Edits work for accuracy and clarity; can create, read, and interpret complex written information. Ability to develop strong interpersonal networks within the organization.
• Planning/organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities, organizes personal and project timelines and deadlines, tracks project timelines and deadlines, and uses time efficiently.
• Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, and is able to deal with frequent interruptions, changes, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability: Consistently on time and at work, responds to management expectations and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Team Building: Capable of developing strong interpersonal networks and trust within the organization both in person and through remote communication tools.
• Safety Culture: Adheres to the Safety culture and is expected to model safe behavior and influence peers to meet high standards.
• Quality Assurance: Demonstrates understanding and implementation of quality assurance regulations, standards, and guidelines of 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, 10 CFR 21, and ASME NQA‑1.

Minimum Skills, Qualifications, and Abilities:

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Ability to understand and communicate clearly using a phone, personal interaction, and computers. Ability to learn new job functions and comprehend and understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately in a rapidly evolving environment. The employee is frequently required to sit and stand; walk; bend; use hands to operate office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. Ability to travel nationally and locally using common forms of transportation.

Johnson Service Group (JSG) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. JSG provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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