Engineer I/Engineer II - Safety Analysis Applications (Nuclear)

Duke Energy•Charlotte, NC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Duke Energy’s Nuclear Fuels Engineering department is hiring an Engineer I or Engineer II for its Safety Analysis Applications (SAA) group. The group develops, maintains, and executes in-house methodologies for Duke Energy’s pressurized water reactor (PWR) fleet, including computer simulations of containment response during transients and accidents described in UFSAR Chapter 6. Its methodologies support analyses for proposed power uprates and 24-month fuel-cycle transitions. Other work includes ECCS hydraulic simulations, emergency procedure setpoints, Emergency Operating Facility technical support, LOCA analysis vendor interface, and transient validation of training simulators. The role performs complex transient thermal-hydraulic simulations and analyses for Duke Energy PWR reactors, including emergent plant support. It analyzes containment temperature and pressure response to postulated pipe breaks using NRC-approved codes and plant models; prepares calculation files, reports, and correspondence; and develops, qualifies, and maintains safety-analysis computer codes. The engineer collaborates with internal, industry, vendor, and regulatory personnel, supports technical training, works with Regulatory Compliance on Licensing Amendment Request packages, and helps develop and license improved methods that can improve thermal margin or plant operational margins. Work must meet station and NRC requirements and applicable reload licensing or project schedules. The position is hybrid, with a flexible schedule typically comprising four 10-hour days, two in the office and two remote. Hybrid employees must live within a reasonable commute of their designated Duke Energy facility, no more than 50 miles one way; the posting also requires residence in the greater Charlotte area. Some travel to Duke Energy and industry sites and conferences is required, and occasional off-hour emergent work may be needed. The role may include Emergency Response Organization duties, including callouts and on-call rotation.

Requirements

Engineer I: Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program; applicants may be considered with appropriate progress toward receiving the degree by May 2027. A Master's degree in Engineering may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.
Engineer I: 0–2 years of engineering experience.
Engineer II: Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program. A Master's degree in Engineering may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.
Engineer II: 2–4 years of engineering experience, including at least 1 year of nuclear experience.
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail to research complex or first-of-a-kind issues, evaluate alternatives, make recommendations, and defend the chosen approach.
Continuous learning aptitude and technical curiosity.
Ability to perform in a team-oriented environment involving site and corporate organizations.
Ability to achieve nuclear site unescorted access/security clearance.
Must reside in the greater Charlotte area and within a reasonable commute of the designated Duke Energy facility, no more than 50 miles one way.
Must be able to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.
In lieu of 1 year of nuclear experience, a selected candidate is subject to oversight and written approval authority of a designated qualified individual until fully qualified.
May be required to take on Emergency Response Organization responsibilities, including callouts with a defined response time and an on-call rotation; must be Fit for Duty when performing these responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
Fundamentals of Engineering Certificate and/or Professional Engineer license.
Experience with safety-analysis codes such as RETRAN, RELAP, GOTHIC, or equivalents.
Experience with nuclear fuel and PWR safety analysis.
Familiarity with basic systems of a Westinghouse or B&W nuclear steam supply system reactor.
Experience developing and supporting License Amendment Requests and 50.59 Evaluations.
Linux workstation experience.
Computer programming experience with FORTRAN, Python, VBA, or similar.
Knowledge of thermal-hydraulic calculations, including heat transfer, flow modeling, single-failure analysis, and NPSH analysis.

Responsibilities

Perform complex transient thermal-hydraulic simulations and analyses for Duke Energy PWR reactors, including emergent plant support.
Analyze containment temperature and pressure response to postulated pipe breaks using NRC-approved codes and plant models.
Prepare thorough and accurate calculation files, technical reports, and correspondence.
Develop, qualify, and maintain computer codes used in safety analysis.
Collaborate and interface with internal, industry, vendor, and regulatory personnel.
Participate in technical training activities.
Work with Regulatory Compliance to create or review Licensing Amendment Request packages.
Develop and help license improved safety-analysis methods that improve thermal margin or provide plant operational margins.
Plan work to produce high-quality deliverables that meet station and NRC requirements and reload licensing or project commitments.
Perform reload and containment analyses using NRC-approved methodologies.