Engineer IV, Safety Analysis & V&V

X-energy • Rockville, MD

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This role is responsible for supporting the Software Services team that performs software development and qualification of design and safety analysis codes and the Risk Informed Safety Analysis team that performs the nuclear safety analysis. The software is used to support X-energy technology (e.g., Xe-100) licensing and design, including system thermo-hydraulic analysis, component thermo-hydraulic analysis, fission product release and transport analysis, neutronics analysis, structural analysis and probabilistic risk assessments (PRA). The position directs the work of individual contributors and subcontractors performing validation exercises, supports the teams for software that is developed in-house, and supports all programmatic documentation associated with the execution of Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.203, “Transient and Accident Analysis Methods”.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (nuclear, chemical, mechanical, etc.) or related degree from an accredited institution.
• Typically, ten years of experience in an engineering role.
• A master’s degree in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of two years of experience.
• A Ph.D. in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of three years of experience.
• Previous experience at X-energy exceeding performance standards may be in lieu of years of experience.
• Requires specialized knowledge within the function of safety analysis.
• Requires previous experience with performing V&V or CGD activities.

Responsibilities

• Support the execution of software development and software qualification for assigned projects using sound engineering principles and adhering to business standards, practices, procedures, and product / program requirements.
• Support the collection and formulation of software requirements based on the work of the various engineering analysis disciplines, which includes Safety Analysis. These requirements include modelling capability, user and code-to-code interface requirements, physical phenomena, validation requirements as well as the quality assurance based on analysis use.
• Oversee the software qualification efforts, which include verification, validation, and Commercial Grade Dedication (CGD). This encompasses accepting V&V and CGD work and providing guidance to assist analysts with X-energy software quality assurance procedure compliance.
• Ensure the grading in the Software Quality Assurance program is appropriately applied to software codes (i.e., defining the level of QA effort for each software-related activity). In this context the QA requirements could vary from commercial best practice to nuclear safety applications compliant with NQA-1.
• Ensure the validation basis is fully aligned with the software application in the safety analysis. The software requirements, Phenomena Identification and Ranking Table (PIRT) and validation plans are the vehicles used to accomplish this. This will ensure that the abovementioned requirements are properly flowed down and translated into the analysis software that is qualified to perform analysis for nuclear safety-related applications.
• Support development of documentation associated with RG 1.203, including but not limited to the PIRT, scaling analysis and code applicability reports.
• Provide the Xe-100 Team leads with frequent updates on progress and promptly communicate adverse findings.
• Support development of workflow outlines, to be documented in plans and provide direction to ensure the convergence of efforts of engineering team members, partners, and suppliers to ensure the successful delivery of high-quality engineering work products are on schedule and within budget as defined by the Project leadership.
• Assesses quality of information given and asks pertinent questions to stakeholders.
• Perform work in accordance with X-energy Quality Assurance procedures.
• Execute safety analysis and V&V assignments with clear and specified objectives; utilizes conventional specification and/or Interface Control Documents and plans.
• Maintain professional demeanor and behavior at all times in all forms of communication.
• Lead the execution of the core tasks and responsibilities, listed in the Job Profile Task/Responsibilities section of this document, without close supervision and some latitude for independent judgment.
• Serve as a key decisionmaker on the approaches to perform verification and validation (V&V) work and provide guidance to assist analysts in their selection, use and application of design and analysis software.
• Review/approve approach for addressing errors and implementing new features for in-house developed software.
• Lead development of documentation associated with RG 1.203, including but not limited to the PIRT, scaling analysis and code applicability reports.
• Provide feedback and guidance to more junior team members with the execution of the core tasks and responsibilities listed in the Job Profile Task/Responsibilities section of this document.
• Lead small groups of engineers to solve complex technical problems and deliver high quality engineering work products on time and within budget.
• Shares knowledge related to industry best practices and standards with others across the team.
• Perform other duties as assigned by manager.

Benefits

• X Energy, LLC offers a robust benefits package that includes a 401K plan with an employer match, Medical/Dental /Vision Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Time Off, and a Tuition Reimbursement/Professional Development policy that supports the continuing education of our employees.

What This Job Offers

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