MCFR Thermal Hydraulics Engineer

TerraPower•Bellevue, WA

55d•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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
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.

Nice To Haves

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

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.