RAC Integrated Analysis Lead Engineer

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.

RAC Integrated Analysis Lead Engineer

TerraPower, LLC. is seeking a Lead Engineer supporting the Natrium Demonstration Project. This role will support the ongoing design and delivery of the Natrium Reactor Air Cooling System (RAC). The Reactor Air Cooling System uses natural convection to continuously remove heat, providing a passive, always‑on way to keep the reactor safely cooled without relying on pumps or operator actions. This role will champion and drive completion of the integrated Natrium decay heat removal analysis, including analysis, testing, verification, and validation of the complete decay heat removal scenario.

You'll collaborate with project managers, design engineers, analysts, test engineers, and other engineering specialties in a high-performing, multi-disciplinary environment to deliver the Natrium Reactor Air Cooling System.

Join us in this high impact role to help advance a first-of-a-kind nuclear reactor towards commercial development.

Responsibilities

- Lead development and execution of thermal hydraulics analyses for reactor systems, including:

- Steady-state and transient system behavior

- Accident and off-normal condition evaluation

- Analytical margins and safety limits

- Integrate testing and other validation methods into system fluid thermal models

- Develop multi-disciplinary margin evaluations

- Lead and author topical reports for licensing applications

- Serve as the central integrator of thermal hydraulics results across internal engineering teams, suppliers, national labs, and research partners

- Drive alignment across multidisciplinary engineering teams (nuclear, thermal hydraulic, mechanical, instrumentation and controls, civil-structural) to define and refine system requirements

- Establish and maintain the thermal hydraulics analysis basis, including assumptions, methodologies, and acceptance criteria.

- Ensure consistency of boundary conditions, inputs, and assumptions across models and organizations.

- Resolve discrepancies between analyses and drive convergence toward a unified, defensible system response.

- Manage technical interfaces with suppliers, including review and verification of deliverables.

- Prepare complete analysis packages, addressing all relevant phenomena to ensure nuclear safety

- Ensure verification and validation of analysis methods including biased safety-related modeling techniques

- Integration of application-dependent modeling tools to support safety, PRA, and Component design applications

- Perform independent verifications of models and software tools

- Evaluate technology development requirements and implement development programs for novel technologies or approaches.

- Promote continuous learning and application of nuclear industry best practices

- Interface with and support licensing activities needed to obtain both the construction and operating licenses for the reactor systems

- Participate in project design reviews at project milestones and periodic assessment points to verify compliance and completeness of design.

- Provide subject matter expertise on fluid flow, heat transfer, two-phase flow, and reactor system response.

Key Qualifications and Skills

- S. in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline from an accredited university

- 10+ years of relevant experience

- Experience Level may be partially substituted for advanced degree depending on position relevance

- Demonstrated experience in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools (e.g. Fluent, Star-CCM+), transient analysis tools (e.g. RELAP5-3D, GOTHIC), or flow network solvers (e.g. Pipe-Flo, AFT Fathom, Flownex, FluidFlow) is preferred

- Strong understanding of configuration management principles, as well as knowledge of design control tools application on nuclear or similar complex industrial applications.

- Previous experience with nuclear reactors and systems, high temperature pressure vessels, or similar system design is highly desired.

- Experience working to quality standards on design activities, such as ASME NQA-1 or ISO 9001.

- General or working knowledge of ASME BPVC Section III is highly desired.

- Professional engineering licensure is desired but not required for this position.

- Experience in originating and developing technical documentation to support system architecture is preferred.

- Excellent technical writing, communication, and presentation skills.

- Attention to detail and aspiration for technical excellence.

- Candidate must be a self-starter and possess ability to coordinate and work within a design team with minimal direction.

- Ability to handle projects that include many competing objectives and design constraints, with ability to resolve conflicts between objectives.

- Ability to work on simultaneous tasks that require a multi-disciplinary approach.

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 Level 11: $138,685 - $208,027

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: https://www.terrapower.com/contact-us/careers/