TITLE:                   Lead Nuclear Methods Software Engineer

LOCATION:        Bellevue, WA, USA

TerraPower is a nuclear technology company based in Bellevue, Washington. At its core, the company is working to raise living standards globally through a more affordable, secure and environmentally friendly form of nuclear energy along with innovations in medical isotopes to improve human health. In 2006, TerraPower originated with Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who evaluated the fundamental challenges to raising living standards around the world. They recognized energy access was crucial to the health and economic well-being of communities and decided that the private sector needed to take action and create energy sources that would advance global energy deployment. TerraPower’s mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field. As a result, the company’s activities in the fields of nuclear energy and related sciences are yielding significant innovations in the safety and economics of nuclear power, hybrid energy and medical applications – all for significant human health benefits.

TerraPower is seeking to contract with, via agency vendor, highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced nuclear reactor research and development and influencing change within the nuclear power landscape and bringing forward the critical production of medical isotopes.  TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, as a federal contractor, TerraPower has instituted an Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) in an effort to proactively recruit, hire, and promote women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

Lead Nuclear Methods Software Engineer

The Lead Nuclear Methods Software Engineer is responsible for developing and maintaining the core design and analysis software applications used by the Natrium project. This application, consisting of the Advanced Reactor Modeling Interface (ARMI) framework and its physics plugin components, enables engineers to digitally represent and analyze the Natrium reactor core in a holistic approach that couples multiple nuclear design disciplines together. As a lead they will work with other team members in a technical leadership role to coordinate efforts and drive projects to completion. The Lead Nuclear Methods Software Engineer will work in a fast-paced environment that utilizes the latest industry practices and tools to develop, document, control, and maintain the application for use on Linux-based high-performance computing (HPC) platforms. The Lead Nuclear Methods Software Engineer will leverage both their programming and technical writing skills to ensure that the application meets the needs of the Natrium core design and analysis team and is compliant with TerraPower procedures that implement regulatory requirements for software.

The Engineer will join the Nuclear Methods group, which is a geographically diverse team of nuclear engineers supporting neutronics methods development for the Natrium project. The group develops methods, models, and tools that support evaluating the performance of Natrium reactor core structures, systems, and components.

The ideal candidate possesses experience in both software development and multiphysics core analyses. Knowledge and experience with fast reactors physics is also preferred.   In addition, experience with software quality assurance is preferred. As a lead the candidate should have experience in technical leadership and show a capacity to drive technical projects to completion.

Responsibilities

•  Use configuration control software (i.e., Git) to develop, test, document, and maintain the Natrium core design and analysis software application

•  Support coordination of release cycles using Jira to meet project milestones

•  Train and support engineers and other developers in the use of the developed software application

•  Support verification and validation (V&V) activities of the software application

•  Develop tools and utilities to aid engineers in execution workflows, especially workflows that interface with HPC systems

Key Qualifications and Skills

•  Advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering or equivalent. 4+ years of relevant experience is preferred.

•  Proficiency with Git, both at the command line as well as GitHub

•  Proficiency with Linux operating systems (e.g., CentOS), particularly using a command line. Experience with shell scripting, particularly with Bash, is preferred.

•  Proficiency with developing a large object-oriented Python application using an integrated development environment (IDE). This includes writing code, developing unit and integration tests, linting and profiling, and dispositioning complex pull requests. Experience with Python code using the Message Passing Interface (MPI) is preferred.

•  Familiarity with continuous integration practices  

•  A high degree of trust and integrity, ability to communicate openly and display respect, and a desire to foster teamwork

Preferred Qualifications and Skills  

•  Ability to work in a dynamic environment, handle multiple projects simultaneously, and adapt to changing priorities

•  Experience interfacing with multiple engineering disciplines, particularly mechanical, fuel performance, and thermal/hydraulics.

•  Experience with Python documentation tools such as Sphinx

•  Experience running and interpreting fast reactor analyses, especially in a multiphysics environment. Important aspects of these analyses include meshing, physics coupling, physics transport options, and cross section preparation. While knowledge of design tools such as DIF3D and MC2-3 (i.e., the ARC code system) are desired, experience with other systems such as MOOSE or VERA are also valuable.

•  Experience developing new or studying existing neutronics methods

•  Strong communication skills, both oral and written. The ideal candidate would be able to define and write technical requirements, translate the requirements into testable code, and document the results into technical reports.

•  Familiarity with developing software and configuration items under ASME NQA-1 compliant procedures.

•  Familiarity with leading software teams and projects as well as technically managing those projects for on time delivery.

Job Functions

Job Functions are physical actions and/or working conditions associated with the position.  These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation.  Information provided below is to help describe the job so that the applicant has a reasonable understanding of the job duties/expectations.  An applicant's ability to perform and/or tolerate these actions and conditions will be discussed and workplace accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis following an individualized assessment of the applicant and other considerations, including but not limited to any governing safety standards.

•  Motor Abilities: Sitting and/or standing for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands)

•  Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 25 pounds

•  Repetitive work: Prolonged

•  Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work

•  Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hrs./day

•  Travel required: 0-5%

TerraPower’s technology is controlled for export by various agencies of the U.S. Government.  TerraPower must evaluate applicants who are foreign nationals (other than asylees, refugees, or lawful permanent residents) in accordance with U.S. Government export control requirements.  To facilitate TerraPower’s export control reviews, you will be asked as part of the application process to identify whether you are a U.S. Citizen or national, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.  Government export authorization approval times vary.  Based on the business needs for a particular position, TerraPower will not consider a foreign national from a country if it is impracticable to obtain timely Government export approval.  

Job Details

Salary Range Level 12:  $169,922 - $235,464

*Typically, our employee salaries are within .90 – 1.0 of the mid-point of the posted salary band. Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected individual’s qualifications and experience.  This range is specific to Washington State.

Job Type:  Full-time

Benefits:

•  Competitive Compensation

•  Salary, eligible to participate in discretionary short-term incentive payments

•  Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits

•  Medical

•  Vision

•  Dental

•  Life

•  Life and Disability

•  Gender Affirmation Benefits

•  Parental Leave

•  401k Plan

•  Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)

•  21 days of annually accrued PTO

•  Generous Holiday Schedule

•  10 paid holidays

•  Relocation Assistance

•  Professional and Educational Support Opportunities

•  Flexible Work Schedule

 TerraPower Career and Benefits information:  https://www.terrapower.com/contact-us/careers/