Lead Engineer, Thermal Hydraulic Analyses

Nuclear Thermal-Hydraulic Engineer

This role is instrumental in advancing our nuclear thermal-hydraulic capabilities, particularly in supporting fuel development and its associated subchannel and system codes. The position requires a dynamic thermal-hydraulic engineer skilled in core and fuel thermal-hydraulic analysis and methods development. Key responsibilities include the development and optimization of fuel design and performance, advancing thermal-hydraulic methodologies, including bundle critical power and pressure drop. This role is part of the Thermal & Fluids Analysis team, which oversees the development, maintenance, and technical consultation of thermal-hydraulic computer codes, correlations, and methodologies pertinent to Boiling Water Reactors (BWR), Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR), and advanced/fast reactors, including their fuel systems. The team plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of analytical tools and methods that support reactor performance and safety evaluations.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead the technical development, accuracy, and uncertainty qualification, testing, verification, and maintenance of analytical methods for evaluating steady-state and transient core/fuel performance.
• Develop single-phase and two-phase thermal-hydraulic test plans, interface with test personnel related to all testing activities, perform associated data analysis, and develop empirical correlations or mechanistic models.
• Work with nuclear and mechanical engineering teams in the development of new fuel products / software in the area of thermal hydraulics.
• Work within a regulatory framework for nuclear software quality assurance for engineering programs.
• Prepare, document, and present technical data to both internal and external customers.
• Enhance team processes to drive efficiency and simplification.
• Communicate effectively with method users through support, documentation, and training.
• Ensure high-quality work in compliance with NRC regulations, customer requirements, and business quality standards.
• Foster a team culture rooted in teamwork, integrity, transparency, and accountability.
• Collaborate with team members globally across various time zones.
• Interface with regulatory agencies (NRC, DOE, etc.) as necessary.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited university or college in nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, computational methods or a closely related technical discipline with a thesis or substantial coursework with thermal-hydraulics and two-phase flow.
• 5 years of experience in a regulated nuclear engineering environment, with a specific focus on thermal-hydraulic codes, two-phase flow analysis, or reactor safety methodologies.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The preferred work location for this role is at the GVH Headquarters in Wilmington, NC; but highly qualified (US based) remote candidates will be considered.
• Comfortable with less than 10% travel.
• This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. If applicable, final offers will be contingent on ability to obtain authorization for access to U.S. export-controlled information from the U.S. Government.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's Degree with 2 years of experience in thermal hydraulics.
• Understanding on experimental and analytic aspects of two-phase flow fundamentals and two-phase flow phenomena during BWR and PWR steady-state operations, transients, and accidents (e.g., void fraction, two-phase pressure drop, two-phase flow regime transition, boiling and condensation heat transfer, critical heat flux or annular film dry out, post boiling transition heat transfer, rewet, counter-current flow limitation, critical flow, flow instability, and the drift-flux model/two-fluid model for two-phase flow analysis).
• Experimental background in two-phase flow.
• Experience with thermal-hydraulic methods such as TRAC, TRACG, COBRAG, PANAC, RELAP, and ISCOR.
• Experience in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using tools like ANSYS-Fluent.
• Experience with software Commercial Grade Dedication as per NQA-1 standards.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, and Fortran.
• Familiarity with nuclear reactor core licensing, technical specifications, safety margin bases, and related federal regulations.
• Publication of technical articles or patents.
• Demonstrated decision-making skills with speed and accuracy.
• Strong organizational skills and a track record of achieving goals and overcoming challenges.
• Extensive understanding of the nuclear and/or energy industry.
• Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent quality certification.
• This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. If applicable, final offers will be contingent on ability to obtain authorization for access to U.S. export-controlled information from the U.S. Government.

GE Vernova offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Vernova is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. GE Vernova will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).