Thermal-Hydraulics Engineer

position summary: the thermal-hydraulics engineer 4 reports to the manager, thermal hydraulics and works collaboratively with nuclear methods, nuclear design, and code development teams within the broader nuclear fuels department, as well as with other engineering disciplines and operations functions. This position is an engineer experienced in nuclear thermal-hydraulic analyses, codes and methods, as well as familiar with interfaces with core design, neutronics, and design basis event analysis.

The role is responsible for executing and reviewing system‑level thermal‑hydraulic evaluations using relap and subchannel analyses using vipre in accordance with licensed methods. The engineer supports reload safety analyses, smr product development, plant operational evaluations, and customer‑specific projects. This role will apply industry best‑practices and knowledge of state‑of‑the‑art methods to support management of licensed thermal‑hydraulic methods, design basis thermal‑hydraulic evaluations, and customer‑specific application of codes and analysis methods.

Practical knowledge of key discipline interfaces within nuclear fuels is critical.

• prepare and verify vipre subchannel analyses, including chf predictions and margin evaluations, in accordance with approved methods.
• prepare and verify relap system‑level th evaluations, including loca, non‑loca transients, and design‑basis evaluations, in accordance with approved methods.
• evaluate the suitability of system designs, operating functions, and engineered features to perform required safety functions, ensuring alignment with licensed methods and design‑basis requirements. Recommend design modifications that preserve safety margins while maintaining system performance objectives, operational practicality, and integration with the overall plant design.
• lead cross‑functional thermal‑hydraulic reviews for reload safety analyses, plant design changes, operational concepts, and licensing deliverables. Identify margin sensitivities and cross‑discipline interface impacts.
• support development and maintenance of licensed th methods and associated implementing analyses. Maintain th modeling standards, evaluate method applicability ranges, and advise on code and model updates.
• participate in application and translation of licensed methods into alternate regulatory frameworks in support of international customers. Support adaptation of th methodologies to country‑specific regulatory expectations.
• work collaboratively within the nuclear fuels organization to ensure design and analysis interfaces are adequately managed, including with core and fuel design, subchannel th, and transient analysis.
• provide technical leadership within thermal hydraulics; mentor junior engineers and lead complex analysis tasks in areas of expertise.
• contribute to technical development of licensing technical or topical reports, license applications, and other licensing documentation, and participate in licensing interactions including interface with the government regulator in areas of technical responsibility.
• prepare and verify engineering reports, calculations, studies, system descriptions, requirement specifications, and other design documents with particular emphasis on subchannel and system thermal-hydraulics. Work on tasks in multiple and diverse areas.
• develop innovative solutions to multifaceted technical challenges requiring original thinking, multi‑physics reasoning, and the ability to navigate uncertainty. Independently frame problems, propose solution strategies, and…