Computational Materials Engineer

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS' expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

We currently have an exciting position for a Computational Materials Engineer to support our Nuclear Technologies and Materials (NTM) division in San Diego, CA. Under general supervision, this position is responsible for modeling and simulation of ceramic matrix composite materials subject to extreme environments like nuclear reactor cores, space, and hypersonic flight environments.

• Provides practical support solutions to technical engineering problems to optimize materials performance through analysis and simulation.
• Documents findings and communicates reports and technical presentations at engineering meetings, and participates in program reviews.
• Supports future NTM engineering needs and the modifications required to provide next generation materials for aerospace and nuclear environments.
• Assumes technical and engineering responsibility for segments or key portions of contracts.
• Provides technical communication within the company to management and to external customers.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Works in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

• Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; six or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, four or more years of experience with a masters degree, or two or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Strong multi-scale understanding of ceramic or composite materials behavior in extreme environments, including:
  • Thermo-mechanical response at the component and system level
  • Damage accumulation/failure models
  • Dimensional changes (e.g., swelling, creep)
  • Material microstructural evolution (e.g., grain size evolution, irradiation defects)
  • Thermochemistry and corrosion concerns
• Knowledge of thermo-mechanical materials modeling approaches and applying those approaches in finite element analysis tools such as ANSYS, ABAQUS, MOOSE, or similar.
• Solid foundation in the fundamental physics of nuclear reactor design, including neutron transport and diffusion, reactor kinetics and dynamics, and heat generation and removal in reactor cores.
• Demonstrated experience with one or more nuclear design and analysis tools is desirable, such as:
  • Fuel performance codes for modeling fuel behavior under irradiation (e.g., BISON, FRAPCON, or similar)
  • Reactor physics codes (e.g., MCNP, Serpent, SCALE, CASMO/SIMULATE, or similar)
  • Therm…