Nuclear Methods EngineerTerraPower is a nuclear technology company based in Bellevue, Washington. At its core, the company is working to raise living standards globally through a more affordable, secure, and environmentally friendly form of nuclear energy along with innovations in medical isotopes to improve human health. In 2006, TerraPower originated with Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who evaluated the fundamental challenges to raising living standards around the world. They recognized energy access was crucial to the health and economic well-being of communities and decided that the private sector needed to take action and create energy sources that would advance global energy deployment. TerraPower's mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field. As a result, the company's activities in the fields of nuclear energy and related sciences are yielding significant innovations in the safety and economics of nuclear power, hybrid energy and medical applications – all for significant human health benefits.TerraPower is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced nuclear reactor research and development and influencing change within the nuclear power landscape and bringing forward the critical production of medical isotopes. TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.Nuclear Methods EngineerTerraPower, LLC. is seeking a highly motivated Nuclear Methods Engineer. In this role, you will support the nuclear methods team:Create formal documentation of nuclear methods software requirements, design, implementation, and testing in support of licensing TerraPower reactors.Update, improve, and/or create software to satisfy all licensing requirements during the Validation and Verification (V&V) processIncorporate additional 3rd-party programs in our simulation ecosystem as necessary to support licensingDesign and execute sensitivity studies to understand the effects and validity of various modeling assumptions, including meshing, physics coupling, transport options, cross section preparation, fission product models, spatial kinetics, etc., and adjust methods as necessaryTrain and support reactor designers and developers in the use of the design software suiteBuild and apply methods to assess the propagation of uncertainty and their effect on safety marginsEnhance engineering team's ability to build models and make meaningful conclusions from simulation output through input tools, visualization, reports, etc.Key Qualifications and SkillsB.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline from an accredited university15+ years of relevant experience Experience Level may be partially substituted for advanced degree depending on position relevanceFast reactor physics and design intuitionExperience in understanding and executing nuclear design/analysis methodologies, including criticality, flux/power distributions, fuel management optimization, reactivity coefficients, shielding, activation, control rod worth, detector response, and uncertainty analysis, ideally with a focus on fast-neutron reactorsExcellent "under-the-hood" knowledge of the methods of reactor physics analysis (deterministic and stochastic particle transport, isotopic depletion, perturbation theory, nuclear data, kinetics, etc.)Experience with some nuclear engineering software such as DIF3D, MC2, PARTISN, MCNP, Serpent, SCALE, PARCS, APA, CASMO, DRAGON, ARMI, etc. preferredStrong computational expertise required: we consider computers to be the universe at our fingertips rather than burdensome necessitiesStrong programming skills in any language required, preferably in scientific computing, Python, C++, and Fortran skills are a bonusProven ability to integrate and automate simulation toolsDemonstrable capabilities with fundamental software development tools (e.g. IDEs, version control, profilers, debuggers, documentation builders, packaging tools)Experience interacting on nuclear methodology with the NRC under an ASME NQA-1 compliant QA environment preferredGood working knowledge of general numerical methods and applied mathematics (e.g. PDEs, numerical stability, statistics, numerical analysis, dynamics)Strong formal technical documentation skills requiredAbility to consistently deliver to an aggressive scheduleSelf-motivated: able to seek out tasks and produce value aligned with team goals without waiting for next assignmentPassion for and dedication to software best practicesWillingness to openly give and accept professional criticism through code reviews and other venuesStrong verbal communication skills desiredThe successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly and display respect, and a desire to foster teamworkThis position is subject to qualification requirements in accordance with ANSI/ANS 3.1.
Candidates must meet the minimum education and experience criteria applicable to the role, including relevant nuclear industry experience where required. Verification of data will be part of the hiring process.Job Functions are physical actions and/or working conditions associated with the position. These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation. Information provided below is to help describe the job so that the applicant has a reasonable understanding of the job duties/expectations. An applicant's ability to perform and/or tolerate these actions and conditions will be discussed and workplace accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis following an individualized assessment of the applicant and other considerations, including but not limited to any governing safety standards.Motor Abilities: Sitting for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands)Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 25 pounds.Repetitive work: ProlongedSpecial Senses: Visual and audio focused workWork Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hours/dayTravel required 0-10%TerraPower's technology is controlled for export by various agencies of the U.S. Government. TerraPower must evaluate applicants who are foreign nationals (other than asylees, refugees, or lawful permanent residents) in accordance with U.S.
Government export control requirements. To facilitate TerraPower's export control reviews, you will be asked as part of the application process to identify whether you are a U.S. Citizen or national, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident of the United States. Government export authorization approval times vary. Based on the business needs for a particular position, TerraPower may not consider a foreign national from a country if it is impracticable to obtain timely Government export approval.Job detailsSalary Range: $168,316 - $252,475Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected candidate's qualifications and experience. This range is specific to Washington State.BenefitsCompetitive CompensationSalary, eligible to participate in discretionary short-term incentive paymentsComprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits MedicalVisionDentalLife and DisabilityGender Affirmation BenefitsParental Leave401k PlanGenerous Paid Time Off (PTO) 21 days of annually accrued PTOGenerous Holiday Schedule 10 paid holidaysRelocation AssistanceProfessional and Educational Support Opportunities