Engineer III/Senior Engineer – Safety Analysis Applications (Nuclear)

Duke Energy Corporation • Huntersville, NC

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Duke Energy’s Nuclear Fuels Engineering department is seeking a nuclear engineer for its Safety Analysis Applications group. The group develops, maintains, and executes in-house methodologies for the company’s pressurized water reactor fleet, including computer simulations of containment response during transients and accidents described in UFSAR Chapter 6. Its methodologies support analyses for proposed power uprates and 24-month fuel-cycle transitions. Other work includes ECCS hydraulic simulations, Emergency Procedure Setpoints, Emergency Operating Facility technical support, LOCA analysis vendor interface, and training-simulator transient validation.

The role performs complex transient thermal-hydraulic simulations and safety analyses for Duke Energy PWRs, including emergent plant support. It analyzes containment temperature and pressure responses to postulated pipe breaks using NRC-approved codes and plant models; develops, qualifies, and maintains safety-analysis computer codes; prepares calculation files, technical reports, and correspondence; and supports licensing and regulatory work. The engineer works with site and corporate teams and interfaces with internal, industry, vendor, and regulatory personnel. The position may be filled at a higher level depending on the successful applicant’s qualifications.

The position is based in a hybrid office/remote work environment. Hybrid employees must live within a reasonable commute—no more than 50 miles one way—to their designated Duke Energy facility. The typical flexible schedule is four 10-hour days, with two days in the office and two remote. Some travel to company and industry sites and conferences is required, and occasional off-hour emergent work may be necessary. The role may include Emergency Response Organization responsibilities, including callouts and an on-call duty rotation.

Requirements

• For Nuclear Engineer III: Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program; a master's degree in engineering may be considered in lieu of the bachelor's degree.
• For Nuclear Engineer III: 4–6 years of engineering experience and at least 1 year of nuclear experience.
• For Senior Nuclear Engineer: Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program; a master's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited school may be considered in lieu of the bachelor's degree.
• For Senior Nuclear Engineer: At least 6 years of engineering experience, or 5 years of engineering experience with state registration as a Professional Engineer, and at least 1 year of nuclear experience.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail to research complex problems, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and defend the selected design approach.
• Continuous learning aptitude and technical curiosity.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment involving site and corporate organizations.
• Ability to achieve nuclear site Unescorted Access/Security clearance.
• Ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.
• If hired without 1 year of nuclear experience, the selected candidate is subject to the oversight and written approval authority of a designated qualified individual until fully qualified.
• May be required to take on Emergency Response Organization responsibilities, including callouts with a defined response time and an on-call duty rotation requiring Fit for Duty.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
• Fundamentals of Engineering Certificate and/or Professional Engineer license.
• Experience with safety-analysis codes such as RETRAN, RELAP, and GOTHIC, or equivalents.
• Experience with nuclear fuel and PWR safety analysis.
• Familiarity with basic systems of a Westinghouse or B&W NSSS reactor.
• Experience developing and supporting License Amendment Requests and 50.59 Evaluations.
• Unix and/or Linux workstation experience.
• Computer programming experience, such as FORTRAN, Python, or VBA.
• Knowledge of thermal-hydraulic calculations, including heat transfer, flow modeling, single-failure analysis, and NPSH analysis.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex transient thermal-hydraulic simulations and analyses for all Duke Energy PWR reactors, including emergent plant support to allow continued operation.
• Analyze containment temperature and pressure responses to postulated pipe breaks using NRC-approved codes and plant models.
• Prepare thorough and accurate calculation files, technical reports, and correspondence.
• Develop, qualify, and maintain computer codes used in safety analysis.
• Collaborate and interface with internal, industry, vendor, and regulatory personnel.
• Participate in technical training activities.
• Work with Regulatory Compliance to create and/or review Licensing Amendment Request packages.
• Develop and help license improved Safety Analysis methods that improve thermal margin and/or provide plant operational margins.
• Plan work activities to deliver high-quality work that meets station and NRC requirements and reload licensing or project schedules.
• Follow NRC-approved methodologies to perform reload and containment analyses.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits.
• Relocation assistance, as applicable.
• Access to onsite dining, a medical clinic, and a fitness center at the headquarters facility.

What This Job Offers

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