Modeling Simulation Engineer

Haag, a Salas O'Brien Company•Albuquerque, NM

16h

About The Position

We are hiring a part-time Modeling Simulation Engineer to provide senior technical analysis in radiation transport, shielding analysis, and nuclear modeling and simulation. The immediate assignment supports shielding optimization for a high-energy X-ray inspection facility using an electron linear accelerator (LINAC) to inspect large aerospace components. The engineer will develop conservative bounding analyses from incomplete design information, refine computational models as equipment and facility data mature, and recommend practical shielding configurations that meet radiation-protection objectives while reducing unnecessary concrete volume, footprint, and cost. The role works directly with architects, engineers, radiation-protection specialists, clients, and regulatory stakeholders to define data needs, evaluate alternatives, document assumptions and uncertainties, and translate technical results into defensible design recommendations. The engineer may also support other accelerator, nuclear facility, national security, and advanced modeling assignments.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in nuclear engineering, physics, health physics, engineering, mathematics, or a related technical discipline with 12 to 15 years of relevant experience; or a master's degree with 10 to 13 years of relevant experience.
Recognized expertise in radiation transport, radiation shielding, nuclear modeling and simulation, health physics, nuclear engineering, or a closely related technical area.
Demonstrated experience developing, applying, or independently reviewing models using MCNP, MCNPX, MCNP6, or another comparable Monte Carlo radiation transport code.
Experience producing or reviewing defensible shielding, dose, or radiation-transport calculations for accelerators, radiation-generating equipment, nuclear facilities, or comparable complex radiological systems.
Working knowledge of photon, electron, and neutron transport; source-term development; material definitions; attenuation and scattering; radiation streaming; and dose assessment.
Ability to independently define objectives, select appropriate analytical methods, establish conservative assumptions, and solve complex problems when information is incomplete or evolving.
Experience with model verification and validation, sensitivity or uncertainty analysis, technical peer review, and documentation of model limitations and design margin.
Strong technical writing, presentation, and collaboration skills, including the ability to explain complex results to multidisciplinary engineering teams, clients, and reviewers.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in nuclear engineering, physics, health physics, or a closely related discipline.
Direct experience with high-energy electron LINACs, industrial radiography, accelerator shielding, or X-ray inspection facility design.
Experience optimizing shielding systems that use concrete, high-density concrete, steel, layered barriers, penetrations, or other space-efficient shielding materials and configurations.
Familiarity with applicable NCRP, ANSI/HPS, DOE, and state radiation-protection guidance; experience supporting national laboratories, DOE/NNSA programs, national security missions, or regulatory design reviews.

Responsibilities

Lead or support advanced radiation transport, shielding, and dose analyses for accelerator, X-ray, nuclear facility, and other complex radiological applications.
Serve as a recognized technical expert, providing practical direction and defensible solutions to unusually complex modeling, shielding, and radiation-protection challenges.
Develop conservative bounding analyses when source-term, equipment, operating, or facility information is incomplete, and refine the analysis as design data mature.
Construct, execute, review, and document Monte Carlo radiation transport models using MCNP, MCNPX, MCNP6, or comparable tools.
Evaluate photon, electron, and neutron transport, including secondary particle production, activation, and other effects where applicable to the source energy and materials.
Assess LINAC beam energy, current or power, duty cycle, workload, beam orientation, target characteristics, leakage, scatter, operating modes, and credible bounding conditions.
Evaluate primary and secondary barriers, roofs, mazes, doors, joints, ducts, cable penetrations, and other streaming paths using facility drawings and equipment information.
Compare conventional concrete, high-density concrete, steel, and layered or advanced shielding systems to reduce facility footprint and material volume while meeting dose objectives.
Plan and execute shielding trade studies, sensitivity studies, and uncertainty analyses that clearly compare performance, constructability, cost, risk, and design margin.
Apply appropriate verification, validation, peer-review, and quality-assurance practices to computational models, input data, calculations, and reported results.
Define required client and vendor inputs, identify data gaps early, and communicate the effect of assumptions and uncertainties on recommended shielding configurations.
Coordinate with architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, systems, safety, and radiation-protection personnel to integrate shielding recommendations into the facility design.
Prepare calculation packages, technical memoranda, reports, presentations, and review responses suitable for clients, independent reviewers, qualified experts, and regulatory authorities.