Fuels Engineer 2

NOTE: THIS POSITION IS AVAILABLE FOR REMOTE WORK FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING BEYOND A 30 MILE RADIUS OF A PHYSICAL NUSCALE OFFICE BUT WITHIN THE CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Fuels Engineer 2 reports to the Manager, Nuclear Design and works collaboratively with Thermal Hydraulics, Code Development, and Nuclear Methods teams within the broader Nuclear Fuels department, as well as with other Engineering disciplines for SMR deployment. This position is an engineer with experience in fuel thermal-mechanical analyses using standard industry codes and methods, as well as familiarity with fuel mechanical design. This role will support design and analysis of fuel and other core components, application of licensed methods, and interfaces with core design, neutronics, and other technical areas that form the design and licensing bases. Although the primary focus is execution of licensed TM methods, the role also supports neutronics evaluations and contributes to incremental method‑development tasks under the guidance of senior staff. Practical knowledge of or experience with PWR reactor physics analyses is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Build and update fuel TM models consistent with the SMR product design and licensing basis. Maintain analysis models and document results in engineering reports, calculations, studies, and other deliverable types.

- Perform fuel TM evaluations in accordance with licensed methods, supporting design, safety evaluations, and reload assessments. Evaluate cladding strain, pellet-cladding mechanical interaction, gap conductance, fuel rod dimensional changes, stress/strain behavior, and end‑of‑life margins.

- Prepare cycle‑specific TM outputs supporting reload core design and safety analysis. Maintain consistency between TM evaluations, thermal‑hydraulic boundary conditions, neutronic inputs, and the licensing basis described in FSAR chapters and approved topical reports.

- Interpret neutronics evaluations for core performance and fuel design impacts. Assess power distributions, reactivity parameters, peaking factors, and other physics inputs to fuel performance evaluations.

- Perform cross-functional reviews for fuel-related content or impacts. Support Nuclear Fuels disciplines and other Engineering functional areas with development of interface inputs in area of technical responsibility.

- Perform core design and neutronics analysis for cycle design and reloads, including lattice physics generation, core loading optimization, and safety‑related physics inputs to engineering design and analysis interfaces and licensing.

- Support development of advanced fuel TM methods under guidance from senior engineering staff.

- Prepare and verify engineering reports, calculations, studies, system descriptions, requirement specifications, and other design documents with particular emphasis on fuel performance and neutronics.

- Grow technical depth in fuel performance, neutronics and thermal-hydraulic integration, and associated codes and methods.

- Develop resolutions to challenging problems that require the use of creativity and innovation.

- Perform other duties as assigned. Flexibly support changing organizational priorities, including urgent analysis needs, cross‑functional reviews, technical troubleshooting, or special studies.

CORE COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, the individual should demonstrate competencies in performing the essential functions of this position by performing satisfactorily in each of these competencies.

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Problem solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, gathers and reviews information appropriately. Uses own judgment and acts independently; seeks input from other team members as appropriate for complex or sensitive situations.

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Oral/written communication: Listens carefully and speaks clearly and professionally in all situations. Edits work for accuracy and clarity. Is able to create, read, and interpret comp