TITLE:                   System Transients Thermal Hydraulics Code Developer                     

 

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 hire 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.

 

System Transients Thermal Hydraulics Code Developer

Reporting to the Manager of Code and Methods Development, the System Transients T/H Code Developer is responsible for the development of RELAP5-3D code for both thermal-hydraulics plant-wide and component level transient analysis with application to the TerraPower sodium-cooled reactor program following TerraPower NQA-1 procedures. A successful candidate should possess a strong fundamental thermal hydraulic and code development background.   

 

Responsibilities

Develop RELAP5 features for use in the modeling of next generation nuclear reactors. Debug legacy FORTRAN source code.  Perform code reviews under NQA-1 umbrella.  Perform code benchmarking and validation analyses to support code qualification and methodology development using RELAP5-3D following the EMDAP process (NuReg 1.203). Perform calculations using first principles of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics to support and validate code modifications. Assist in maintaining Py53D automation tool to automate pre-processing, submission and post-processing of RELAP5 calculations. 

  

Key Qualifications and Skills

B.S. (+ 5 years), M.S. (+3 years), or PhD (+ 1 year) in nuclear, mechanical, or another related engineering/scientific field. Strong thermal-hydraulic analytical skills with one dimensional hydraulic network analysis, system codes experience and transient analysis. Knowledgeable in nuclear systems thermal-hydraulic, reactor dynamics, and transient phenomena. Significant Experience with RELAP5-3D code development or modification (3+ years). Experience with software development. (python/FORTRAN preferred but not required) Familiarity with code V&V and associated regulatory requirements. Experience with nuclear power plant design or operations a plus. Experience in working in multi-disciplinary engineering teams to address engineering challenges. Experience with cloud based high performance computing platforms such as Azure, AWS is a plus.   Experience with advanced reactor technologies, such as sodium fast reactors is a plus.  Strong technical writing skills. Effective communication skills. The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly and display respect and a desire to foster teamwork.

 

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 11:  $ 120,672  - $ 201,119

Salary Range Level 12:  $ 163,702  - $ 226,844

*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/

Please visit www.terrapower.com to apply