Mechanical Engineer Thermal - Structural Analysis

Idaho National Laboratory seeks a Mechanical Engineer Thermal - Structural Analysis  to shape the future of nuclear energy by pioneering solutions for motion, heat, and fluid dynamics that secure America's energy infrastructure while advancing critical technologies. You'll decompose project goals into defined design requirements, use best practices in design methodologies to develop and validate designs, develop physics-based mathematical models of mechanical, chemical, and electrical systems, and document designs to establish conformance with requirements and standards. Your responsibilities include establishing testing and quality requirements, ensuring fabrication and procurement align with design specifications, developing and maintaining systems and equipment while performing calculations, providing solutions to technical problems and recommendations for improvements, monitoring plant systems and recommending maintenance standards, and supporting new project development including proposals and business plans. You'll mentor junior engineering staff, develop experiment requirements, and potentially lead design and development of experimental setups.

Essential Job Functions:

• Perform thermal, structural, and coupled thermal-structural finite element analyses (FEA) to support the design, evaluation, and qualification of reactor systems, experimental hardware, and mechanical components.
• Develop/use analytical and computational models to predict component behavior under operational, transient, and accident loading conditions.
• Evaluate stress, strain, deformation, temperature distributions, fatigue life, creep damage, and structural integrity of engineering systems and components.
• Conduct linear and nonlinear analyses, including contact, material nonlinearity, geometric nonlinearity, and time-dependent material behavior as required.
• Develop, verify, validate, and document simulation methodologies, models, assumptions, and results in accordance with project and quality requirements.
• Interpret analysis results and provide engineering recommendations to support design decisions, risk reduction, and performance improvements.
• Support design reviews and ensure engineering designs comply with applicable codes, standards, and project requirements.
• Perform engineering assessments in accordance with applicable industry standards, including ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code requirements where applicable.
• Collaborate with design engineers, materials engineers, test engineers, and project teams to define requirements and resolve technical challenges.
• Develop analysis plans, technical reports, calculations, and supporting documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist with the development of engineering tools, workflows, and best practices for modeling and simulation activities.
• Support proposal development and project planning by providing technical input, analysis approaches, and scope estimates.
• Mentor junior engineers in analysis methods, modeling techniques, and engineering best practices.
• Present technical work to project teams, management, sponsors, and external review panels.
   

Required:

• Level 3: Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related field from a program accredited by ABET and 5 years of relevant experience; or an Advanced degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related field from a program accredited by ABET and 2 years of relevant experience.
• Level 4: Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related field from a program accredited by ABET and 9 years of relevant experience; or a Masters degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related field from a program accredited by ABET and 6 years of relevant experience; or a PhD in mechanical engineering or a directly related field from a program accredited by ABET and 4 years of relevant experience.
• Strong technical skills in mechanical engineering, including design, modeling, and problem-solving.
• Demonstrated experience performing finite element analysis (FEA) for structural and thermal engineering applications.
• Experience developing engineering tools and automation using Python, MATLAB, or similar scientific computing software.
• Effective communication and the ability to mentor junior staff are also essential. Familiarity with applicable codes, standards, and safety requirements is crucial.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE "Q" security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.  

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Advanced degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related field from a program accredited by ABET.
• Experience performing high-temperature structural analysis.
• Experience evaluating creep, fatigue, creep-fatigue interaction, and life assessment of engineering components.
• Experience with fracture mechanics methodologies, crack growth evaluation, and structural integrity assessments.
• Experience performing nonlinear analyses involving large deformation, contact, material nonlinearity, and transient loading conditions.
• Experience with explicit dynamic analysis for impact, shock, drop, blast, or other high-strain-rate events.
• Experience performing coupled thermal-structural and Multiphysics simulations.
• Experience supporting the design, analysis, and qualification of nuclear systems and components.
• Knowledge and application of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code requirements, including ASME Section III, Division 5.
   

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds without assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information:

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Mechanical Engineer Thermal - Structural Analysis to work on our Reactor Technology and Integration team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our REC facility with every other Friday off. 

• The pay range for this position is: Level 3 ($95,256 - $195,288) / Level 4 ($114,360 - $234,336). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.
• TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.