Principal Engineer, Structural and Stress Analysis

Principal Engineer, Structural and Stress Analysis

TerraPower 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. In addition, as a federal contractor, TerraPower has instituted an Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) in an effort to proactively recruit, hire, and promote women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

Principal Engineer, Structural and Stress Analysis

The Principal Engineer is a dedicated position act as a subject matter expert for TerraPower’s Natrium advanced nuclear reactor development, and technical leadership. The focus is on the mechanical performance of various reactor components, reactor structures, and nuclear island components. The Principal Engineer will report to the Structural and Stress Analysis Team Manager. He / She will work as part of a high functioning team of engineers and scientists focused on developing the design of next generation advanced nuclear reactors.

Responsibilities

• Perform various analyses (stress, creep-fatigue, buckling, seismic, vibration) of reactor components using both classical tools such as Mathcad, and finite element analysis (FEA) software such as ANSYS.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to perform static and dynamic analysis using both linear and non-linear approach with FEA software.
• Proficiency and expert knowledge of the ASME Sect III Code, including Div 5 high temperature design, is highly desired.
• Work with interdisciplinary teams to establish and optimize nuclear components design consistent with required functional and safety requirements.
• Establish, review, approve and maintain documents of analysis results and design solutions.
• Support the team’s development of required inputs and methodologies to establish structural sizing and load combinations for critical reactor components and interfaces.
• Perform peer review to maintain the expected quality standard as per the engineering quality assurance plan.
• Assist the Team Manager and Senior Manager when necessary for planning and strategy.
• Mentor the engineers and team members as necessary to build a skilled and confident team.
• Work as a technical point of contact for various focused tasks.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• B.S, M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university. Aerospace, Nuclear, and Civil Engineering degrees are also considered.
• Minimum 15 years of related experience with B.S. degree, or 12 years with M.S. degree, or 8 years with Ph.D. degree ability to produce a high-quality work product.
• Experience in the analysis of components to ASME Boiler Pressure Vessel Code Section III Div. 5 and 1.
• Working experience with other codes and standards such as ASME Section VIII, ASME B31.1, and ASME B31.3, ASCE 4, ASCE 7, and/or ASCE 43 is highly desirable.
• Experience interfacing with other engineering disciplines.
• Proficient in finite element stress analysis, mechanical analysis methods and commercial mechanical stress analysis modeling tools with emphasis on SolidWorks and ANSYS.
• Strong understanding of solid mechanics, fracture mechanics, and metal fatigue principles.
• Candidate should have demonstrated experience in mechanical analysis of equipment or components. This may include stress (including thermal) analysis, seismic analysis, buckling analysis, thermal cyclic analysis, and creep analysis.
• Experience working under stringent quality assurance requirements such as ASME NQA-1, MIL-Q-9858A, or ISO-9000.
• Skilled in detail-oriented review of drawings, documents, and calculations to ensure consistency, precision, and technical rigor
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Creative thinking with strong analytical/problem solving skills
• Ability to work multiple tasks concurrently with minimal direction
• Five plus years of previous experience in the nuclear industry.
• Working experience utilizing Mathcad, and Python.
• Candidate must be able to work with in-person arrangements.
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly and display respect and a desire to foster teamwork.
• Actual position starting level and title will be determined based on assessment of qualifications.

This 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:

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: Prolonged
• Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work
• Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hours/day
• Travel 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 details

Salary Range: $148,722 – $193,146

Any 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.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation
• Salary, eligible to participate in discretionary short-term incentive payments
• Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits
  • Medical
  • Vision
  • Dental
  • Life and Disability
  • Gender Affirmation Benefits
• Parental Leave
• 401k Plan
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • 21 days of annually accrued PTO
• Generous Holiday Schedule
  • 10 paid holidays
• Relocation Assistance
• Professional and Educational Support Opportunities

TerraPower Career and Benefits information: