Senior FEA Analyst – Nuclear Fuel Behavior & Operations

Aalo Atomics•Austin, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly specialized Senior FEA Analyst to lead the high-fidelity computational modeling and safety evaluation of nuclear fuel assemblies and core components at Aalo. In this role, you will focus on the extreme multi-physics environment of the reactor core, analyzing thermo-mechanical fuel rod behavior, fuel-cladding evolution, and long-term degradation mechanisms. You will act as the primary technical authority bridging fuel performance engineering with rigorous regulatory safety margins, directly influencing fuel design optimization for operational reliability and accident tolerance.

Requirements

Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a highly relevant engineering discipline.
Minimum of 5–8+ years of experience in computational mechanics, with at least 3 years dedicated specifically to nuclear fuel performance modeling or core materials evaluation.
Advanced proficiency with nuclear fuel burnup and performance codes (specifically BISON or FRAPCON), paired with commercial implicit solvers (Abaqus or ANSYS Mechanical).
Deep understanding of high-temperature material science, radiation effects on materials (swelling, creep), and fracture mechanics.
Proven capability in scripting and code customization (Python, C++, or Fortran) to automate workflows and implement custom material subroutines.
Familiarity working within rigid nuclear quality assurance frameworks (NQA-1).
Based in the United States
Willing to work on-site in Austin, TX
Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Persons in compliance with 10 CFR Part 810 and may not hold non-compliant foreign citizenships.

Nice To Haves

Experience modeling advanced technology fuels, such as Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) concepts, doped UO2, silicide fuels, or liquid metal/molten salt reactor fuel elements.
Active or prior U.S. DOE Q-Level or DoD Secret security clearance.
Strong track record of publishing peer-reviewed research or presenting technical findings to nuclear regulatory bodies.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute high-fidelity 2D and 3D finite element models to simulate the coupled thermo-mechanical behavior of fuel rods, pellets, and cladding under steady-state, transient, and accident scenarios (RIA/LOCA).
Conduct detailed evaluations of Pellet-Cladding Mechanical Interactions (PCMI) and Pellet-Cladding Thermal Interactions (PCTI), capturing localized stress concentrations, mechanical locking, and cladding strain.
Simulate time- and burnup-dependent fuel phenomena, including fission gas release, fuel swelling, densification, thermal conductivity degradation, and cladding creep/hydriding.
Utilize and adapt state-of-the-art nuclear fuel performance codes (e.g., BISON, FRAPCON/FRAPTRAN, ENIGMA) alongside commercial solvers to predict fuel life-cycle behavior.
Lead rigorous Verification and Validation (V&V) procedures for fuel performance models in strict compliance with ASME NQA-1 quality standards.
Compile, review, and authorize formal technical reports and licensing topical reports to defend fuel safety margins before nuclear regulatory authorities (e.g., US NRC).