Nuclear Engineer I/II/Sr. or Pr.
About The Position
Xcel Energy is hiring a Nuclear Engineer at the Engineer I, Engineer II, Engineer, Senior Engineer, or Principal level. The role performs nuclear fuels engineering work supporting boiling water reactor (BWR) plant operations, including reload core design, reload licensing analyses, and in-core fuel management. The engineer may provide technical guidance to consultants and other employees and develop high-quality, timely, cost-effective solutions to technical problems. The position is considered for Xcel Energy’s corporate office in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model; many roles are expected onsite three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday, although expectations vary by role, team, and business needs. The position may include work on reload fuel and core design, licensing analyses, license amendment preparation, Core Monitoring System inputs, startup physics analyses, fuel reliability, and fuel performance. Assignments may be performed independently or as part of a project team, with responsibility for meeting schedules and technical requirements. Work may also involve onsite fuel inspections, manufacturing oversight, special studies, refueling outages, emergency response, and vendor oversight. The role requires applying sound engineering principles, reviewing and approving contractor or colleague design work, coordinating with internal and external groups, and communicating complex technical topics to all levels of management. Employees must follow safety and industrial hygiene policies and, where applicable, obtain and maintain unescorted access qualifications and nuclear fitness-for-duty requirements. Emergency response duties and proximity requirements may apply depending on level and assignment.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering or a related technical field from an ABET-accredited college or university.
- Engineer I: 0–2 years of experience.
- Engineer II: 2 years of experience.
- Engineer: 6 years of engineering experience with satisfactory performance in nuclear generating plant operations and/or maintenance processes; equivalent electrical power plant, industrial, naval, or Outreach Engineering Management (OEM) experience may substitute for nuclear generation experience.
- Senior Engineer: 8 or more years of engineering experience, satisfactory performance, demonstrated problem-solving expertise in nuclear generating plants, and demonstrated expertise in at least one engineering discipline area. Equivalent electrical power plant, industrial, naval, or OEM experience may be considered in lieu of up to half of the nuclear generation experience.
- Ability to obtain and maintain qualifications for unescorted access to Xcel Energy nuclear power plants.
- For applicable assignments, ability to assume emergency response duties and meet the stated proximity requirement to the nuclear generation station; maintain nuclear fitness for duty during off hours when on call or assigned emergency-response duty.
- Demonstrate satisfactory performance and progress in developing the skills and competencies required for the applicable engineering career level.
- PC skills required for daily work activities.
- Strong verbal and written communication, judgment, leadership, and assertiveness to resolve issues.
- Flexibility with changing priorities and ways of doing business.
- Demonstrated initiative, problem analysis, and problem-solving skills.
Nice To Haves
- BWR core design experience.
- Proficiency with Linux, scripting, and programming.
- Previous experience using CASMO-SIMULATE.
- Working knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards related to nuclear fuel engineering.
- Master of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering; an advanced degree in engineering or a related technical field is also identified as preferred for higher-level roles.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license; Engineer in Training certificate or PE license is also listed among preferred qualifications.
- At least three years of experience and improving performance in an entry-level position.
Responsibilities
- Perform reload core and bundle design, reload licensing, in-core fuel management, and analyses supporting nuclear fuel reliability and performance.
- Perform and coordinate engineering assignments for cycle reload projects, including reload fuel and core design, in-house and vendor licensing analyses, license amendment preparation, Core Monitoring System input preparation, and startup physics analyses.
- Work independently or on project teams and schedule work to meet completion dates and technical requirements.
- Recommend changes to procedures, analysis methods, designs, or equipment.
- Provide onsite support for fuel inspections, fuel and control blade manufacturing oversight, and other special studies as appropriate.
- Apply sound engineering principles to develop technically correct, timely, and cost-effective recommendations.
- Review and approve design work completed by contractors and other engineers, and serve as an interface with internal and external groups.
- Contribute effectively as a team leader, mentor, and team member.
- Follow company safety and industrial hygiene policies during activities such as core verification, irradiated fuel inspection, and manufacturing oversight.
- Communicate complex nuclear fuel topics orally and in writing to all levels of management; collaborate with management to define issues and needs and recommend improvements and corrective actions.
- Participate in the Xcel Energy Emergency Response Organization, refueling outages—including irradiated fuel inspections and fuel maintenance—and vendor oversight, as assigned.
- Meet applicable unescorted-access, emergency-response, fitness-for-duty, and proximity requirements for nuclear plant work.
Benefits
- Annual Incentive Program
- Medical/Pharmacy Plan
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Health Care Flexible Spending Account
- Health Savings Account (if enrolled in an eligible health plan)
- Limited-Purpose Flexible Spending Account (if enrolled in an eligible health plan and HSA)
- Transportation Reimbursement Account
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in an eligible health plan)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Transit programs
- Employee recognition program
- Pension
- 401(k) plan
- Paid time off
- Holidays
- Volunteer Paid Time Off
- Parental Leave
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
