TITLE:                  MCFR Chemistry Modeling Engineer    

LOCATION:         Bellevue, Washington, 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.

MCFR Chemistry Modeling Engineer    

TerraPower’s Molten Chloride Fast Reactor (MCFR) project is commercializing the technology to operate a fast spectrum, chloride salt cooled molten salt reactor. TerraPower’s work focuses on a fast neutron spectrum to minimize the reactivity impact of fission products and avoid the need for online reprocessing that is required in thermal spectrum molten salt reactor concepts.

TerraPower, LLC. is seeking a Chemical Modeling Engineer focusing on the characterization of the radionuclide source term in the fuel salt of an MCFR. This role will assist in the maturation of the safety case for an MCFR. The position will require interfacing with experimentalists to identify and reduce knowledge gaps in the current understanding of radionuclide retention in molten salts. An ideal candidate will have in-depth knowledge of chemistry related to molten salts and/or knowledge of source term characterization for reactor safety analysis. This position offers a unique experience to build the foundation of the MCFR safety case and chemistry modeling approaches. Additionally, it is an opportunity to work at the insertion of novel experimentation and simulation.  

Responsibilities

•         Model fuel salt and radionuclides to determine volatilit of compounds formed in the fuel salt

•         Work with chemistry and testing to identify experiments needed to validate assumptions feeding into source term methodologies

•         Develop and implement computational models and simulations to evaluate migration of radionuclides in and around containment/confinement boundaries.

•         Work at TerraPower is dynamic and evolutionary. As such, new responsibilities often arise, and you should be capable of and excited about learning and applying specialized skills. 

Key Qualifications and Skills

•         B.S. degree in Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineer, Chemistry, or equivalent experience and 5+ years experience; Advanced degree and 2+ years of relevant experience with source term characterization preferred.

•         Proficiency in utilizing computational tools such as as Factsage, Aspen, thermochimica

•         Experience with tools such as GOTHIC, MELCOR, SRT, RADTRAD, ARCON, MACCS preferred.

•         Strong knowledge of chemistry, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and computational modeling techniques a plus.

•         Familiarity with relevant regulations pertaining to mechanistic source term analysis.

•         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 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 10-20%.

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 

Job Type:  Full-time

Salary Range 10:  $113,605 - $170,408
Salary Range 11:  $125,257 - $208,762

*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.

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/