Senior Thermal Hydraulic Test Engineer

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. 

Senior Thermal Hydraulic Test Engineer  

Reporting to the Manager of Thermal Hydraulic Testing, the Senior Thermal Hydraulic Test Engineer is responsible for designing and conducting thermal hydraulic tests supporting the Natrium Demonstration Plant.  The successful candidate will support all aspects of thermal hydraulic testing activities including planning, testing, document review, engaging with external vendors, and generating documents. The successful candidate will have experience with one or more testing methods, including: scaled water or oil flow loop operations, sodium or molten salt handling experience, or mechanical stress or vibration testing. 

Responsibilities

• Manage test campaigns from concept through execution and reporting. This includes test setup, system validation, and post-test analysis.
• Define, select, and validate measurement instrumentation including force, displacement, strain, flow and temperature sensors (e.g., load cells, LVDTs, encoders, RTDs, etc.).
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts including fixture design, control system integration, and lab space planning, leveraging technicians, designers, and facility personnel as needed.
• Assist in the drafting of test requirements
• Author the test design documents, test procedures, test report, and supporting documents
• Assist with data analysis and generate test reports.
• Perform calculations using first principles of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics to support and validate analysis results.
• Integrate with other engineering groups to fully include relevant aspects of component, system, fuel, and control system designs.
• Mentor junior engineers
• Vendor coordination including scope definition and technical specifications, quotation and schedule alignment, factory acceptance tests and site acceptance tests, witness testing as required, document and record collection, and resolution of nonconformances and corrective actions.
• Laboratory responsibilities including test loop build and assembly, rigging and safe handling of components, development and maintenance of P and ID drawings and procedures, hydrostatic and pressure testing, leak checks, commissioning and shakedown, pre job briefings and hazard analyses, lockout tagout, management of change, preventive maintenance, calibration cycles, consumables and spares control, housekeeping and 5S, and adherence to EHS and emergency procedures. 

 Key Qualifications and Skills 

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in applicable field of Engineering
• Greater than five (5) years of relevant experience in a testing / research and development environment preferred, or three (3) with a Masters degree
• Experience working in a laboratory environment
• Strong thermal-hydraulic analytical skills with one-dimensional hydraulic network analysis, system codes experience and transient analysis.
• Experience with post-processing and documenting experiments.
• Experience with multiple types of testing (R&D, Acceptance, Validation, Qualification)
• Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team of engineers.
• Ability to handle projects that include multiple objectives and ability to resolve conflicts between objectives.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks concurrently during a given work week.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Safety conscience.
• Ability to work with minimum direction to solve challenging research and development problems.
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trustworthiness and integrity, communicate openly and display respect and a desire to foster teamwork.
• Preferred working knowledge of ASME NQA 1 and 10 CFR 50 Appendix B quality assurance requirements including design control, nonconformances, corrective action, records, and audits. 

This position is subject to qualification requirements in accordance with ANSI/ANS 3.1. Candidates must meet the minimum education and experience criteria applicable to the role, including relevant nuclear industry experience where required. Verification of data will be part of the hiring process.

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 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 hours/day
• Travel required 0-10%

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 may not consider a foreign national from a country if it is impracticable to obtain timely Government export approval.

Job details

Salary Range: $124,115 – $161,188

Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected candidate’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 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

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