[Hiring] Contractor - Thermal-Hydraulic Engineer @NuScale Power, LLC

Role Description

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 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.

Qualifications

• A minimum of B.S. degree in Nuclear, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering (or related discipline) from a four-year accredited college or university is required.
• Advanced degree in Nuclear, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering is desirable.
• 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.
• Eligible to work under Department of Energy 10 CFR Part 810.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• Prepare and verify engineering reports, calculations, studies, system descriptions, requirement specifications, and other design documents.
• 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.

Benefits

• Flexible support for changing organizational priorities, including urgent analysis needs, cross functional reviews, technical troubleshooting, or special studies.

Core Competencies

• Problem solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, gathers and reviews information appropriately.
• Oral/written communication: Listens carefully and speaks clearly and professionally in all situations.
• Planning/organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities, organizes personal and project timelines and deadlines.
• Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands.
• Dependability: Consistently on time and at work, responds to management expectations.
• Team Building: Capable of developing strong interpersonal networks and trust within the organization.
• Safety Culture: Adheres to the NuScale Safety culture and is expected to model safe behavior.
• Quality Assurance: Demonstrates understanding and implementation of quality assurance regulations, standards and guidelines.

Physical Demands

• 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.
• The employee frequently is 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.