SMR​/MMR Nuclear Scientist – Advanced Reactor Design and Safety

Role Description

This full‑time SMR / MMR Nuclear Scientist – Advanced Reactor Design and Safety role is a hybrid position based in Irvine, CA, with a combination of on‑site and work‑from‑home days. The role focuses on conceptual and detailed design of small and micro modular reactors, including core design, neutron physics analysis, thermal‑hydraulic modeling, and reactor system integration. Day‑to‑day activities include performing reactor physics and safety analyses, developing and validating models, and preparing technical documentation, reports, and design specifications.

The nuclear scientist will collaborate with mechanical, electrical, controls, and systems engineers to ensure reactor designs meet performance, safety, regulatory, and reliability objectives. Responsibilities also include contributing to safety case development, supporting licensing strategies, participating in design reviews, and staying current with advanced reactor technologies, codes, and standards.

• Strong foundation in nuclear engineering or related field, with expertise in reactor physics, neutron transport, and fuel cycle analysis for SMR/MMR or advanced reactor systems.
• Experience with thermal‑hydraulics, heat transfer, and multiphysics modeling for reactor cores and primary systems, including steady‑state and transient analysis.
• Proficiency with nuclear analysis and simulation tools (e.g., MCNP, SERPENT, SCALE, RELAP, TRACE, OpenFOAM, COMSOL, or similar) and ability to develop, verify, and validate computational models.
• Knowledge of reactor safety analysis, probabilistic risk assessment concepts, and safety case development, including accident scenarios, source term evaluation, and defense‑in‑depth principles.
• Familiarity with relevant codes, standards, and regulatory frameworks for nuclear systems (e.g., NRC regulations, ASME, ANSI/ANS standards), and experience supporting licensing or regulatory engagements is a plus.
• Ability to design and review reactor systems and components in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical, electrical, controls, and systems engineering.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and quantitative skills, with the ability to interpret complex data, document assumptions, and communicate technical findings clearly.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills