Nuclear Fuel Development Engineer

Nuclear Fuel Development Engineer

Seattle, WA – Fully Onsite

In this role you'll contribute to the design and analysis of advanced nuclear fuels. This role requires a strong understanding of fuel performance modeling, thermo-mechanical analysis, and the behavior of materials under irradiation conditions, ideally with experience in fast-neutron reactor technology. The successful candidate will play a critical role in developing and optimizing fuel designs to ensure safety, performance, and reliability.

Responsibilities:

• Fuel Performance Modeling: Develop and utilize fuel performance codes to predict fuel behavior under various operating conditions.
• Thermo-mechanical Analysis: Conduct thermo-mechanical analyses of fuel rods and assemblies using finite element analysis (FEA) software.
• Code Development & Validation: Contribute to the development and validation of fuel performance codes and methodologies.
• Material Behavior Analysis: Analyze the behavior of nuclear fuels and structural materials under irradiation, considering factors such as creep, swelling, and fission gas release.
• Design & Analysis: Participate in the design and analysis of nuclear fuel, including fuel rod design, assembly design, and core design activities.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that fuel designs and analyses meet regulatory requirements and industry standards (e.g., NQA-1, ASME B&PV, 10 CFR 50 Appendix B).
• Technical Documentation: Prepare technical reports, presentations, and design documentation to communicate analysis results and design recommendations.
• Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with other engineers and scientists within a multidisciplinary team environment.

Requirements:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in fuel performance modeling, thermo-mechanical analysis, or a related field within the nuclear industry.
• Strong understanding of finite element methods, heat transfer, solid mechanics, non-linear visco-elastic material behavior, and irradiation effects on materials.
• Proficiency in FEA software such as ABAQUS, ANSYS, COMSOL, or MOOSE. Experience with programming languages like Python and FORTRAN.
• Experience with executing nuclear fuel design and analysis methodologies, ideally with a focus on fast-neutron reactors.
• Familiarity with nuclear quality assurance standards (e.g., NQA-1), ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, and relevant NRC regulations (e.g., 10 CFR 50 Appendix B).