Nuclear Engineer

Idaho National Laboratory•Idaho Falls, ID

1d•$114,360 - $281,196•Onsite

About The Position

The Nuclear Engineer develops and validates nuclear engineering designs and analyses supporting irradiation experiments, spent nuclear fuel packaging and handling, and fuel qualification programs. The role collaborates with designers, analysts, customers, experiment sponsors, operations, and engineering organizations to define requirements and ensure project operations are consistent with facility authorization. Work includes developing physics-based models of mechanical, chemical, and electrical systems; conducting analyses of reactor irradiation experiments; and researching nuclear processes and fuel performance codes, including work related to used accident tolerant, TRISO, molten metal, and ceramic fuels. The position documents designs through controlled and approved models, drawings, specifications, and design descriptions; establishes testing, inspection, and quality requirements; and ensures fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement conform to designs. Depending on the work, the engineer may conduct integrated analyses to demonstrate that experimental, storage, transportation, and disposal requirements and facility safety bases are met. The role also defends analytical methods and results in reviews, prepares reports and peer-reviewed publications, and presents technical work to the public, sponsors, and professional peers. This is a multi-level position at Level 4 (Senior) or Level 5 (Expert), with placement based on the depth and breadth of experience and skills. The team works a 9x80 schedule at the Idaho Falls, Idaho facility, with every other Friday off. Periodic travel is required. The position includes office work and laboratory field work, which may be subject to variable weather and potential mechanical, electrical, pressure, temperature, and other hazards. Irregular hours exceeding eight hours per day and working alone may be required. Safety equipment, including PPE, and periodic safety training may be required. The role also carries information security and privacy responsibilities, including required initial and annual role-specific training and compliance with access agreements and applicable policies.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a directly related engineering degree from an ABET-accredited program.
Relevant experience commensurate with level: Level 4 requires a bachelor's degree and 9 years, a master's degree and 6 years, or a PhD and 4 years; Level 5 requires a bachelor's degree and 14 years, a master's degree and 8 years, or a PhD and 6 years.
Substantial experience working abroad and with foreign governments.
Experience working with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
U.S. citizenship.
DOE “L” or “Q” clearance, or a government equivalent.
Strong communication skills and the ability to foster and grow in a team environment.
Depending on the assigned directorate, may be required to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance.
Ability to perform the stated physical duties, including occasional lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds, and to meet the visual acuity and hearing capacity requirements of the role.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering or a directly related engineering field from an ABET-accredited program.
Prior experience or familiarity with International Safeguards.
International experience.

Responsibilities

Work with designers, analysts, and customers to develop experimental requirements or spent nuclear fuel packaging and handling requirements.
Apply advanced nuclear engineering design principles, theories, and concepts, which may include reactor fuel and packaging.
Decompose project objectives into defined and controlled design requirements.
Use discipline-appropriate design methodologies, technologies, and processes to develop designs and validate that they meet requirements.
Document designs using controlled and approved models, drawings, specifications, and design descriptions to demonstrate conformance with requirements and applicable codes and standards.
Establish testing, inspection, and quality requirements to maintain technical features important to design functions.
Ensure fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement are performed in accordance with the design.
Perform integrated analyses, as needed, to ensure experimental requirements and facility safety bases are met.
Perform integrated analyses, as needed, to ensure storage, transportation, and disposal requirements and facility safety bases are met.
Defend analytical methods and results in management and independent reviews.
Perform analysis and design tasks supporting interactions with experiment sponsors, operations, and engineering organizations, ensuring project-related operations are consistent with facility authorization.
Develop physics-based mathematical models of mechanical, chemical, and electrical systems to support and verify designs; develop and improve models and analysis methods.
Prepare reports and peer-reviewed publications.
Represent programs, the Laboratory, and the Division/Department through technical and programmatic presentations to the public, sponsors, and peers at conferences and symposia.
Participate in professional development to keep pace with industry developments and improve proficiency in applications to irradiation experiments; maintain familiarity with and technical understanding of applicable codes and standards.
Analyze irradiation experiments conducted in nuclear reactors.
Conduct research supporting nuclear processes, including fuel qualification and modeling of used accident tolerant, TRISO, molten metal, and ceramic fuels, with a focus on applying modern performance codes to existing programmatic efforts.
Support transformational fuel qualification efforts, particularly rapid development of fuel performance codes based on accelerated testing platforms.
Complete other duties as assigned.
Complete required initial and annual role-specific information security and privacy training, sign required access agreements, and comply with applicable information security and privacy policies and procedures.