Principal/Lead Nuclear Engineer

MPR Associates • Alexandria, VA

15h

About The Position

As a Principal/Lead Nuclear Engineer at MPR, you'll work across advanced fission reactors, operating nuclear plants, and research facilities — bringing your expertise to a diverse range of technologies and reactor concepts. Consulting means no two projects are the same: different clients, different challenges, different problems to solve. It's the kind of breadth that keeps the work engaging and your skills continuously growing. Your role will primarily focus on providing subject matter expertise and mentorship to the next generation of nuclear engineering experts and leveraging your experience and connections to capture cutting edge project for MPR. Specifically, your expertise will be invaluable to achieve: Serving as a subject matter expert on a wide array of nuclear engineering projects Help expand MPR’s network within the nuclear industry, and Provide mentorship and guidance to the next generation of nuclear engineers. Because of MPR’s role as trusted partner for virtually all cutting edge advanced nuclear suppliers, project workload will vary significantly over time. Some examples of the types of projects you could support include: Independent evaluation of advanced reactor designs (molten salt, sodium-cooled fast reactors, high-temperature gas reactors, microreactors) Fusion device thermal and radiological design Operating nuclear plant engineering support and analysis (PWR, BWR fleet) Research and test facility design and safety analysis Loss of coolant accident analysis and source term evaluation across reactor types Novel fuel form and component qualification for multiple technologies Criticality safety evaluations for DOE facilities Independent, technology comparison studies for utilities and investors The role requires deep expertise in or an ability to quickly master several nuclear engineering related topics, including neutronics, thermal hydraulics, shielding, fuel and nuclear materials, and radiological consequence evaluation combined with strong communication skills, adherence to best practices, and an eye for growing MPR's portfolio.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering or Mechanical Engineering with nuclear concentration
• 15+ years of nuclear engineering experience with demonstrated expertise across multiple technical areas (neutronics, thermal-hydraulics, radiation detection, shielding, radiological consequence evaluation)
• Proficiency with common nuclear engineering software: MCNP, SCALE, ORIGEN, RELAP, or equivalent tools
• Familiarity with both light water and non-light water reactor designs, or fusion device thermal and radiological designs
• Experience developing test plans for novel nuclear designs (new fuel forms, components, etc.)
• Strong understanding of NRC regulations and guidance for reactor analysis (e.g., loss of coolant accident analysis methods, source term, licensing basis)
• Strong analytical skills grounded in first principles—not just software proficiency or vendor-specific methodologies
• Ability to work across engineering disciplines to evaluate all facets of technical problems
• Deep understanding of nuclear physics, thermal-hydraulics, materials behavior, and radiological phenomena
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills—you can explain complex nuclear phenomena to clients, regulators, and non-specialists
• Experience presenting at industry conferences and engaging with external audiences
• Proven ability to oversee and mentor less experienced engineers and building teams
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects across different reactor technologies and teams
• Demonstrated success building and maintaining client relationships
• Experience identifying and pursuing new business opportunities
• Motivated to tackle unfamiliar problems and take on new responsibilities
• Persistent, questioning attitude—and the ability to accept that in others
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Receptive to constructive feedback and continuous improvement
• This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 is required. “US Person” includes US Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) is a plus but not required
• Similar lead/subject matter expertise from previous job experience
• Direct experience with NRC licensing processes and regulatory interactions
• Published technical work or conference presentations
• Track record of successful business development in the nuclear industry
• Experience evaluating multiple competing reactor technologies

Responsibilities

• Develop design/analytical solutions for complex technical challenges across diverse reactor technologies
• Oversee MPR engineers performing neutronics simulations and core design: criticality safety evaluations, critical core configurations, fuel cycle management, activation calculations, radiation detection and shielding analyses: alarm setpoint determination, shielding optimization, ALARA implementation, dosimetry calculations
• Review and validate work performed by other MPR engineers
• Challenge vendor assumptions and verify results using first principles thinking
• Identify and pursue opportunities to grow MPR's project portfolio with existing and new clients
• Take a lead role in client and stakeholder interactions by effectively communicating technical results
• Coach and mentor engineers through execution of complex nuclear analysis work spanning different technical domains and lead by example
• Work with MPR leadership to identify pathways for junior engineers to grow

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees