R&D Nuclear Engineer - Computational Materials

BWXT • Lynchburg, VA

4d • $99,410 - $157,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

At BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), we are People Strong, Innovation Driven. A U.S.-based company, BWXT is a Fortune 1000 and Defense News Top 100 manufacturing and engineering innovator that provides safe and effective nuclear solutions for global security, clean energy, environmental restoration, nuclear medicine and space exploration. With more than 7,800 employees, BWXT has 14 major operating sites in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers. Our company supplies precision manufactured components, services and fuel for the commercial nuclear power industry across four continents. Our joint ventures provide environmental restoration and operations management at a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities. BWXT’s technology is driving advances in medical radioisotope production in North America and microreactors for various defense and space applications. For more information, visit www.bwxt.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

Welcome to BWXT
We believe in empowering our employees and cultivating a dynamic workplace that fosters growth and collaboration. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting your career, you’ll find opportunities to challenge yourself, learn from seasoned experts, and contribute to nuclear innovation. We required a diverse range of skills to support our work in the markets that drive our business and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and life stages who are passionate about making a difference.

BWXT is People Strong, Innovation Driven - be part of BWXT’s innovation hub. BWXT’s Advanced Technologies (AT) group researches, designs, and develops innovative new nuclear reactors, nuclear rocket propulsion systems, and radioisotope production systems for both internal and external customers.

If you are looking for a career where your experience is valued, innovative thinking is fostered, and barrier-free teamwork is embraced every day, then this opportunity is for you.

Position Overview:
As an R&D Nuclear Engineer specializing in Computational Materials, you’ll serve as a senior technical authority focused on advancing high‑fidelity, multiphysics simulations that underpin the design, qualification, and optimization of nuclear fuel systems. This role integrates deep expertise in materials science, thermomechanical behavior, chemical interaction modeling, and nuclear fuel phenomena with sophisticated computational model development. The engineer will lead the creation, improvement, and application of fuel performance models within BWXT’s fuel performance code suites and other high‑fidelity simulation tools. Core responsibilities include designing robust computational workflows, developing physics‑based material models, enhancing code capabilities, and driving innovation to support next‑generation nuclear fuel concepts.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Physics is required.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience is required; an advanced degree may be considered in lieu of experience.
• Demonstrated experience with multiphysics modeling, finite element analysis, or computational materials science tools.
• In depth experience and understanding of nuclear fuel materials behavior, including thermo‑mechanical response, irradiation effects, and chemical interactions.
• Proficiency in scientific programming languages and engineering computation (FORTRAN, Python, C, C++, or similar).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a history of impactful technical contributions.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) or Department of Defense (DOD) security clearance, whichever is required.

Nice To Haves

• Thorough experience using MOOSE/BISON or similar multiphysics nuclear fuel performance codes.
• In depth experience with oxide, nitride, carbide (UO₂, UN, UC), metallic (U‑Zr, U-Pu-Zr, U‑Mo), and advanced fuel concepts (TRISO, ATF coatings, SiC cladding, composite systems).
• Direct experience developing within the MOOSE framework and customizing BISON-based applications.
• Experience leading software development projects in scientific or multiphysics environments.
• Experience with HPC environments, parallel computing, and performance optimization.
• Ability to design and execute R&D experiments or modeling campaigns to test new fuel concepts or material behaviors.
• Experience with verification, validation, sensitivity studies and uncertainty quantification method development associated with fuel qualification.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and application of advanced multiphysics models for nuclear fuel performance, including thermal, mechanical, chemical, and irradiation-driven phenomena.
• Develop and implement constitutive models describing fuel material behavior, microstructural evolution, degradation mechanisms, and coupled thermo‑mechanical‑chemical interactions.
• Conduct high‑fidelity analyses of nuclear fuel systems under normal operating, transient, and off‑normal conditions.
• Guide verification, validation, benchmarking, and uncertainty quantification for modeling tools, with emphasis on fuel performance predictions.
• Build and refine scalable computational methodologies suitable for high‑performance computing environments.
• Collaborate with materials scientists, fuel performance engineers, and software developers to integrate modeling capabilities across simulation workflows.
• Prepare rigorous technical documentation, research reports, and contributions to regulatory, customer, and R&D deliverables.
• Mentor junior staff and provide strategic input on long‑term modeling and simulation initiatives.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans.
• Flexible work schedules and paid time off to promote a healthy work-life balance.
• Professional development opportunities, including mentorship programs and sponsorship for continuing education.
• An inclusive atmosphere that celebrates new perspectives and supports collaboration between different generations.
• The chance to be part of a mission-driven organization making a positive impact on the future of energy.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and training to grow throughout your career!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior