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! 

Position Summary

This position will be responsible for executing assignments concerned with Nuclear Engineering for the Natrium project. This position has technical responsibility for interpreting, organizing, and completing assignments for the nuclear discipline. This involves exploration of the subject area, the definition of scope, and may involve the development of novel concepts, approaches, and solutions. Additionally, this position will be interfacing and coordinating with other engineering disciplines and the teaming partners in the development of the design.  The ideal candidate will have solid experience in nuclear engineering and will be capable of developing design data/documents that incorporate the applicable design. The ideal candidate must also have excellent communication skills (both verbal and written), promoting our leadership, quality, and safety values, to external partners including vendors, construction companies, and other subcontractors.  

Responsibilities 

Work to discipline work processes and assure technical adequacy in accordance with company, contract, and industry codes and standards.

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 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 detailed 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 and drawings for the design of radioactive waste systems.  This includes the performance of equipment sizing calculations, equipment specifications and technical bid evaluations from equipment vendors. 

Perform radiation dose and shielding calculations for plant systems and equipment.

Perform other related work as assigned by the Nuclear Engineering Group Supervisor.  

Qualifications and Skills

Basic Qualifications

Level 1: BS or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or another technical field from an accredited university or college with nine (9) years of progressive related experience.

Level 2: BS or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or another technical field from an accredited university or college with fifteen (15) years of progressive related experience.

Minimum Qualifications

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 RADTRAN and MACCS or other similar industry standard programs for assessing radiation dose and severe accident consequences, 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. 

Must be able to complete a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

US citizen or legal resident. 

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of industry codes and standards and regulatory requirements.

Lead or supervisory experience on large projects.