Nuclear Pipe Stress Analysis Engineer

SI Solutions, LLC•,

1d•$77,440 - $153,800

About The Position

Structural Integrity Associates (SI) is seeking a Piping Analysis Engineer for its Nuclear Business Unit. The role focuses on the design, analysis, and evaluation of piping systems governed by ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, Division 1, and ASME B31 pressure piping codes. The engineer will perform and review piping stress, fatigue, flexibility, and dynamic analyses for operating plant assessments, system modifications, license renewal, power uprates, legacy analysis conversions, and advanced reactor designs. The position supports projects involving thermal fatigue, vibration, seismic qualification, high-temperature service, degraded-condition evaluations, and fitness-for-service of piping and components. It requires adapting to modern and legacy analysis methods and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated engineering solutions. The engineer will prepare technical documentation, communicate results to clients, support field activities as needed, and contribute to proposals, tools, automation, templates, and process improvements. SIA is an engineering consulting firm serving Nuclear Power, Energy Services, Pipeline Integrity, and Critical Infrastructure. It describes its culture as based on knowledge, excellence, and respect, with a shared goal of building a safer world. The position has an expected annual salary range of $90,240–$153,800 in San Jose, California; $77,440–$130,100 in Denver, Colorado; and $78,320–$121,100 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Pay depends on experience, qualifications, and location. The position remains open until filled, with applications reviewed continuously.

Requirements

B.S. in Mechanical or Civil Engineering; an M.S. is preferred.
3 to 10 years of experience performing piping stress, flexibility, fatigue, or dynamic analysis in power generation, nuclear, process, or industrial facilities.
Working knowledge of ASME Section III, Division 1 piping design and analysis rules, particularly Class 1, 2, and 3 requirements under Subsections NB, NC, and ND, or demonstrated experience with ASME B31.1 and/or ASME B31.3.
Proficiency with one or more commercial piping analysis programs, such as AutoPIPE, CAESAR II, PIPESTRESS, or ANSYS, and ability to interpret, verify, and clearly communicate complex analysis results.
Understanding of piping layout and flexibility, support and restraint behavior, equipment interface loads, thermal transients, vibration, and dynamic response.
Strong engineering judgment, problem-solving ability, communication skills, and technical writing capability.
Ability to work independently, review the work of others, and collaborate effectively within cross-disciplinary project teams.
U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required for certain nuclear projects.

Nice To Haves

M.S. in Mechanical or Civil Engineering.
Experience supporting nuclear plant design, operating plant modifications, license renewal or subsequent license renewal, power uprates, or advanced reactor programs.
Experience analyzing high-temperature piping systems, including service temperatures above 800 degrees F.
Experience with legacy piping models, software, and plant design bases, including interpreting or converting models developed in ME101 or earlier versions of PIPESTRESS.
Familiarity with fracture mechanics, fatigue monitoring, environmentally assisted fatigue, thermal stratification, or fatigue evaluation methods.
Exposure to vibration field testing, flow-induced vibration diagnostics, operating deflection shape analysis, or troubleshooting dynamic piping response.
Understanding of fitness-for-service methodologies, including API 579-1/ASME FFS-1, and familiarity with nuclear QA programs and industry guidance such as 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, EPRI, ASME, and WRC publications.
Experience with, or demonstrated interest and ability in, detailed finite element analysis and local stress evaluations of piping and piping components.
Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in one or more U.S. states.

Responsibilities

Perform and review piping stress, flexibility, fatigue, and support-load analyses under ASME Section III, Division 1, including Subsections NB, NC, ND, and NF, and applicable ASME B31.1 and B31.3 requirements.
Develop and evaluate load cases and combinations for pressure, deadweight, thermal expansion, seismic, vibration, water hammer, relief-valve thrust, and other static and dynamic loads.
Build, modify, troubleshoot, and independently check piping models using commercial and legacy analysis software.
Evaluate piping flexibility, equipment-nozzle loads, pipe supports and restraints, thermal transients, thermal stratification, vibration, and fatigue life.
Develop calculation packages, design reports, engineering justifications, and technical recommendations for new designs, plant modifications, operability, or continued operation.
Support failure evaluations, wall-thinning assessments, flaw evaluations, and fitness-for-service analyses for degraded piping and components.
Collaborate with materials, metallurgy, chemistry, finite element analysis, vibration, fracture mechanics, and plant engineering teams.
Prepare technical documentation, present results in client meetings, support field activities as needed, and contribute to proposals and scope development.
Contribute to internal tools, automation scripts, calculation templates, process improvements, and best-practice guidance for piping analysis and integrity evaluations.