Senior Nuclear Engineer

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Project Overview:

Bechtel is the licensing, engineering, procurement, and construction partner on TerraPower’s Natrium team. Selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, TerraPower is participating in a DOE initiative to re-establish U.S. leadership in nuclear energy that provides matching funding to industry to design and build an operational advanced reactor. TerraPower, a leading advanced generation technology company, will be deploying its 345 MWe sodium fast reactor (SFR), called Natrium. The Natrium plant features an advanced reactor design that is safer, simpler, easier and less costly to construct, less expensive to operate, and able to provide energy that is competitive with fossil fuels. It also features an innovative molten salt energy storage system designed to be complementary to solar and wind power by evening out the peaks and valleys in production when the sun is not shining, or the wind is not blowing. With the reactor and energy storage output combined, the plant can produce more than 500 MWe of power. As a power facility, the plant is to be licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 

Other Team Natrium partners include GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, PacifiCorp, and Duke Energy, along with support from a number of national laboratories and universities. This DOE Program has the potential to be the largest funding program for advanced nuclear power in U.S. history and will shape the future of nuclear energy for decades.  We invite you to join our team for this historic and interesting opportunity!

Job Summary:

In this role, you will conduct field investigations and special studies and plan technical specifications for nuclear design on large projects. You will lead the design and development for nuclear engineering projects that have unique requirements, and review and approve nuclear evaluations and analyses. Your expertise will help ensure complex issues are resolved, clients are satisfied, and project needs are met

Major Responsibilities:

• Work to discipline work processes and assure technical adequacy in accordance with company, contract, and industry codes and standards.
• Be accountable for error-free deliverables.
• Develop/review technical reports and studies, design documentation, and calculations using engineering software.
• Work in an inclusive team environment where all are able and expected to contribute to the maximum of their capabilities. 
• Deliver on meaningful goals working with the team.
• Establish and work to plans to ensure schedules are met and stakeholder requirements are satisfied. Provide input to estimate hours and schedules.
• Devise new approaches to solving problems from a variety of detailed technical options and assess cost implications.
• Contribute directly to the cost-effective design for the entire facility.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and safety requirements by detail design.
• Identify major technical uncertainties and present solution options for management decisions.
• Deliver the analysis and solution of engineering problems and interpret drawings, verbal instructions, and applicable codes relevant to project requirements and then demonstrate the ability to articulate explanations.
• Ensure nuclear standards are followed, conduct quality checks for nuclear engineering work.
• Develop design calculations. This includes performance of radiation dose and shielding calculations for plant systems and equipment. 
• Perform other related work as assigned by the Nuclear Engineering Group Supervisor.   

Education and Experience Requirements:

Level 1

• Requires bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or another technical field and 8-10 years of relevant experience or 12-14 years of relevant work experience

Level 2

• Requires bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or another technical field and 10-13 years of relevant experience or 14-17 years of relevant work experience

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Related experience includes experience in nuclear design. Must have proven experience in design or analysis associated with nuclear plant systems (commercial power plant or DOE nuclear facility).
• U.S. Professional Engineering License in Mechanical, Nuclear, or Chemical Engineering (or ability to obtain within 12 months).
• Knowledge of industry and regulatory guides, codes, and standards.
• Hands-on experience with MCNP or other similar industry standard programs for assessing radiation shielding,
• Hands-on experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and other computer programs.
• Extensive knowledge of nuclear engineering work processes, procedures, and specifications.
• Excellent oral and written communication, planning, and organizational skills.  

Total Rewards/Benefits

For decades, Bechtel has worked to inspire the next generation of employees and beyond! Because our teams face some of the world's toughest challenges, we offer robust benefits to ensure our people thrive.  Whether it is advancing careers, delivering programs to enhance our culture, or providing time to recharge, Bechtel has the benefits to build a legacy of sustainable growth. Learn more at Bechtel Total Rewards

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