Thermal-Hydraulics Engineer – Commercial Nuclear

Johnson Service Group (JSG) is a professional staffing firm, and we are recruiting a Thermal-Hydraulics Engineer – Commercial Nuclear. This contract role offers the opportunity to join one of the industry leaders in developing small modular reactor (SMR) technology and deploying next-generation Advanced Light Water Reactors (ALWR) as they advance from design to plant implementation.

Location:

This position allows the work to be performed REMOTELY within the contiguous United States, with travel as required for business needs.

Hourly contract rate range: $75-$85.00 p/h (DOE)
Citizenship Status:
Due to Federal DOE regulations, U.S. Citizenship is required

Eligibility:
Eligible to work under Department of Energy 10 CFR Part 810

Contract Duration:
This is a 40 hour/week contract position expected to last through 2027.

Education:

A minimum of a B.S. degree in Nuclear, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering (or related discipline) from a four-year accredited college or university is required. An advanced degree in Nuclear, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering is desirable.

Experience:

A minimum of 8 years of full-time, directly relevant engineering experience is required. Experience in implementing engineering design processes for subchannel thermal-hydraulics, transient analysis, and related safety analysis is required.

Experience with RELAP5 is required.

Industry Requirements:
Eligible to work under Department of Energy 10 CFR Part 810.

Summary:

The SAUG Thermal-Hydraulics Engineer 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 for 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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

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…