Principal Engineer, Safety Analysis
About The Position
TerraPower is seeking a Principal Safety Analysis Engineer to perform safety analyses for the Natrium Demonstration reactor. Reporting to the Manager, Transient Safety Analysis, the role also supports design transient analysis, Structures, Systems and Components (SSC) classification, analytical model and method development, uncertainty quantification, and sensitivity calculations. The engineer develops and maintains system models, analysis methods, and documentation; contributes to licensing analysis and documentation; assesses plant transient benchmark tests; and supports implementation of transient and accident analysis capabilities in TerraPower’s software framework. The role involves collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and engineering reviews of analysis and design deliverables. This position is subject to qualification requirements in accordance with ANSI/ANS 3.1. Candidates must meet applicable minimum education and experience criteria, including relevant nuclear industry experience where required. Verification of data is part of the hiring process. The position requires 0–10% travel and is based in Washington State for purposes of the posted salary range. TerraPower’s technology is subject to U.S. Government export controls, and applicants may be asked to provide information for export-control review.
Requirements
- B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in nuclear engineering or another relevant engineering discipline.
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in the nuclear field.
- Extensive experience in nuclear transient safety analysis, nuclear reactor system modeling, Best Estimate Plus Uncertainty (BEPU) analysis, and/or computer code development.
- Extensive experience with nuclear safety analysis software such as RELAP5, TRACE, TRAC, SAS4A/SASSYS-1, GOTHIC, MELCOR, SAM, or other nuclear system analysis software.
- Knowledge of nuclear systems thermal-hydraulic fundamentals, reactor dynamics, and transient phenomena.
- Knowledge of nuclear reactor core physics, including neutron transport theory and reactivity feedback.
- Knowledge of nuclear reactor instrumentation and control systems and related modeling approaches in safety analysis computer codes.
- Familiarity with nuclear design, regulatory requirements, and risk-informed performance-based technology guidance for Non-Light Water Reactors.
- Demonstrated strong quantitative, analytical, modeling, and reporting skills.
- Understanding of NQA-1 requirements associated with analysis and software management, and experience working under a quality assurance program.
- Experience working in multidisciplinary engineering teams to address engineering challenges.
- Meet the minimum education and experience criteria applicable to the role under ANSI/ANS 3.1, including relevant nuclear industry experience where required.
- Possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly, display respect, and demonstrate a desire to foster teamwork.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with transient and accident analysis for NRC submittals, such as Chapter 15 of a Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR).
- Familiarity with EMDAP and Regulatory Guide 1.203.
- Experience with sodium fast reactor (SFR) safety analysis or methods; experience with other reactor designs, such as light water reactors (LWRs), may be considered when differentiating candidates.
- Strong software engineering skills in a language such as Python, Fortran, or C++.
Responsibilities
- Develop system models and perform safety analyses of Anticipated Operational Occurrences (AOOs), Design Basis Events (DBEs), and Design Basis Accidents (DBAs) for the Natrium Demonstration reactor.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish core and reactor SSC functional, performance, safety, and quality requirements and support the overall design.
- Integrate NEI 18-04 Licensing Basis Event (LBE) analyses and findings into licensing documentation and project design activities with cross-functional teams.
- Contribute to safety method development, including code assessment, scaling analysis, and code verification and validation.
- Develop and maintain documentation of model development and analysis results.
- Perform engineering reviews of other engineering analyses and design deliverables, such as ASME design transients.
- Assess plant transient benchmark tests, identify tests relevant to the Natrium reactor, and perform benchmark calculations.
- Contribute to implementation of capabilities required for transient and accident analysis in TerraPower’s software framework.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation.
- Eligibility to participate in discretionary short-term incentive payments.
- Comprehensive medical and wellness benefits, including medical, vision, dental, life, and disability benefits.
- Gender affirmation benefits.
- Parental leave.
- 401(k) plan.
- 21 days of annually accrued paid time off.
- 10 paid holidays.
- Relocation assistance.
- Professional and educational support opportunities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
