Engineer III/Senior Engineer – Safety Analysis Applications (Nuclear)

Duke Energy • Charlotte, NC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Duke Energy’s Nuclear Fuels Engineering department is seeking an Engineer III or Senior Engineer for its Safety Analysis Applications group. The group develops, maintains, and executes in-house methodologies for computer simulations of containment response during transients and accidents described in UFSAR Chapter 6 for Duke Energy’s pressurized water reactor fleet. These methodologies support analyses for proposed power uprates and 24-month fuel-cycle transitions. Other areas of work include ECCS hydraulic simulations, Emergency Procedure Setpoints, Emergency Operating Facility technical support, LOCA analysis vendor interface, and validation of training-simulator transients.

The role performs complex transient thermal-hydraulic simulations and analyses across Duke Energy’s PWR reactors, including emergent plant support. It requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, technical curiosity, continuous learning, and the ability to work with site and corporate teams. The position contributes to development and licensing of improved safety-analysis methods, preparation and review of licensing documents, and completion of high-quality deliverables that meet station and NRC requirements and project schedules.

The work environment is hybrid, with employees living within a reasonable commute of their designated Duke Energy facility, no more than 50 miles one way. The described schedule is typically four 10-hour days, with two days in the office and two remote. Some travel to Duke Energy sites, industry sites, and conferences or meetings is required; occasional off-hour emergent work may also be required. The role may include Emergency Response Organization responsibilities, including callouts with a defined response time and an on-call duty rotation.

Requirements

• For Nuclear Engineer III: Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program, or a master's degree in engineering in lieu of the bachelor's degree.
• For Nuclear Engineer III: 4–6 years of engineering experience.
• For Nuclear Engineer III: At least 1 year of nuclear experience, or, in lieu of that experience, work under the oversight and written approval authority of a designated qualified individual until fully qualified.
• For Senior Nuclear Engineer: Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program, or a master's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited school in lieu of the bachelor's degree.
• For Senior Nuclear Engineer: At least 6 years of engineering experience, or 5 years of engineering experience with state registration as a Professional Engineer.
• For Senior Nuclear Engineer: At least 1 year of nuclear experience, or, in lieu of that experience, work under the oversight and written approval authority of a designated qualified individual until fully qualified.
• Ability to achieve nuclear-site unescorted access/security clearance.
• Ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.
• Ability to meet any assigned Emergency Response Organization requirements, which may include callouts with a defined response time and an on-call duty rotation requiring Fit for Duty.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science degree 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, and GOTHIC, or equivalent codes.
• Experience with nuclear fuel and PWR safety analysis.
• Familiarity with basic systems of a Westinghouse or B&W NSSS reactor.
• Experience developing and supporting License Amendment Requests and 50.59 Evaluations.
• Unix and/or Linux workstation experience.
• Computer programming experience, such as FORTRAN, Python, or VBA.
• 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’s PWR reactors, including emergent plant support to allow continued operation.
• 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 and/or review Licensing Amendment Request packages.
• Develop and help license improved safety-analysis methods to improve thermal margin and/or provide plant operational margins.
• Plan work effectively to produce high-quality deliverables that satisfy station and NRC requirements and meet reload licensing or project commitments.
• Follow NRC-approved methodologies to perform reload and containment analyses.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits.
• Relocation assistance, as applicable.
• Access to onsite dining, a medical clinic, and a fitness center at the headquarters building.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level