MCFR Thermal Hydraulics Engineer
TerraPowerTITLE: MCFR Thermal Hydraulics Engineer
LOCATION: Bellevue, Washington, USA
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.
TerraPower’s Molten Chloride Fast Reactor (MCFR) program is commercializing the technology to operate a fast spectrum, chloride salt cooled molten salt reactor. The Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE) is slated to be the first liquid-fueled, fast spectrum reactor built and operated, and will be constructed at Idaho National Laboratory.
Thermal Hydraulics Engineer, MCFR
TerraPower is seeking a Thermal Hydraulics Engineer to support the Molten Chloride Fast Reactor (MCFR) program. This position reports to the Thermal Hydraulics Discipline Manager. This role centers on thermal hydraulics method verification and validation (V&V), including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) V&V and Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) activities. The position begins with model development and evolves toward interpretation of raw experimental data and its comparison to modeling results. You’ll collaborate with design, modeling and test engineers in a high-performing, multi-disciplinary environment to develop and validate critical thermal hydraulics methodologies to de-risk critical path systems in the final MCFR design. This role is hybrid with on-site at least three days per week. The ability to be physically present at our Bellevue, WA headquarters is a requirement.
Join our team to help advance design and licensing of a first-of-a-kind commercial MCFR power plant.
Responsibilities:
• Perform Verification and Validation (V&V) and Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) to support code qualification and methodology development.
• Collaborate with test engineers and CFD analysts to design and execute experiments for the validation of CFD models.
• Interface with test, safety, and design teams to identify test requirements.
• Assist the test engineering team in specifying data collection requirements, instrumentation, and procedures to support model validation needs.
• Process and analyze raw experimental data.
• Ensure technical methods and documents comply with ASME NQA-1 and ASME V&V 20 standards.
• Perform calculations using principles of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics to validate analysis results.
• Develop and apply thermal-hydraulic analysis methods, including steady-state and transient methods (1D and 3D).
• Develop and implement custom software tools or scripts for the purposes of standardizing, organizing, and controlling experimental datasets.
Key Qualifications and Skills:
• Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering and 10 years (Level 11) or 15 years (Level 12) of relevant experience. Experience level may be partially substituted for advanced degree depending on position relevance
• Demonstrated experience implementing experimental methods in thermal-fluid systems, model validation, or interfacing with experimental teams
• Proficiency in commercial CFD codes (Star-CCM+ preferred) including Conjugate Heat Transfer experience
• Proficiency with MathCAD or equivalent tool
• Proficiency in package development using Python, or equivalent tools
• Knowledge of regulatory standards like ASME NQA-1 and ASME V&V 20
• Experience with system codes such as GOTHIC, SAM, RELAP5, FLOWNEX, or Modelica is a plus
• Experience with multi-physics simulations and is a plus
• Experience with first-of-a-kind or high temperature nuclear reactor design projects is a plus
• Strong communication skills desired
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly and display respect, and a desire to foster teamwork.
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 and standing for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands).
• Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds.
• Repetitive work: Prolonged.
• Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work and ability to perform role in personal protective equipment.
• Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hrs./day.
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:
Job Type: Full-time
Salary Range Level 11: $138,685 - $208,027
Salary Range:Level 12: $168-316 - $252-475
*Typically, our employee salaries are within .90 – 1.0 of the mid-point of the posted salary band. Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected individual’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
• 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
• Flexible Work Schedule
TerraPower Career and Benefits information: https://www.terrapower.com/contact-us/careers/