TITLE:                   Fuel Fabrication Engineer

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.

Fuel Fabrication Engineer

TerraPower, LLC is seeking a highly motivated Fuel Fabrication Engineer to support fabrication and supply of fuel assemblies for the Natrium project. This role will work as part of a high functioning team of engineers working to develop manufacturing processes, review existing manufacturing processes, design and select suitable fabrication equipment, and work with vendors to get the equipment built and delivered. The work requires coordination with internal and external suppliers and partners. 

Responsibilities

• Support design of fuel fabrication equipment and processes for nuclear core components
• Prepare and present information related to fuel fabrication topics for internal and external audiences.  
• Provide vendor oversight and direction in development of efficient fabrication routes for advanced fuel designs
• Provide direction and oversight of supplier projects, working with the contract, project, and technical team to ensure delivery of data and other deliverables to meet requirements
• Direct various process equipment selection, procurement, installation, and qualification activities with an initial emphasis on induction casting of metal fuel slugs.
• Work with an interdisciplinary team of engineers along with Quality, Licensing and suppliers to establish and support execution of the detailed qualification plan for fuel and core components consistent with quality and licensing requirements.  
• Coordinate technical review process of supplier deliverables and ensure appropriate responses
• Develop procurement and process specifications, as well as provide input to component drawings/specifications to ensure product performance meets design requirements and manufacturers’ capabilities
• Evaluate fabrication and processing options to aid in selection of the most cost-efficient pathway to meet product specifications and throughput targets
• Aid in development of process flow descriptions and assessments, facility layout, staffing and planning
• Support test design and analysis activities for fuel development and qualification
• Interface with various project teams to aid in advancing the fuel and reactor designs for TerraPower’s reactor development programs

Key Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in an applicable field of Mechanical, Chemical or Nuclear Engineering or Science; Advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years of related manufacturing experience.
• Experience managing resources and with project management desirable.
• Experience working in an engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Experience in the nuclear fuel field is highly desirable
• Experience in process equipment selection, design, and qualification
• Experience with metal casting and/or extrusion manufacturing processes is highly preferred
• Experience in working with suppliers or partners
• Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists in a project environment.
• 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.
• Demonstrated safety conscience approach to work.
• Ability to work independently to solve challenging research and development problems.
• Possess ability to work on tasks that require a multi-disciplinary approach.
• Experience in performing design activities to applicable requirements such as NQA-1, ASME B&PV, AWS, 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, or equivalent is desirable.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products is required.
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trustworthiness and integrity, communicate openly and display respect and a desire to foster teamwork
• Actual position starting level and title will be determined based on assessment of qualifications

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 20 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: 0-20%

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 

Salary Range Level 13:  $  194,197- $279,158

*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