Nuclear Methods Engineer

Design and execute sensitivity studies to understand the effects and validity of various modeling assumptions, including meshing, physics coupling, transport options, cross section preparation, fission product models, spatial kinetics, etc., and adjust methods. Experience in understanding and executing nuclear design/analysis methodologies, including criticality, flux/power distributions, fuel management optimization, reactivity coefficients, shielding, activation, control rod worth, detector response, and uncertainty.

Position Title: Nuclear Methods Engineer

Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting contract Nuclear Methods Engineer opportunity.

Job Responsibilities:

• Create formal documentation of nuclear methods software requirements, design, implementation, and testing in support of licensing Company's reactors.
• Update, improve, and/or create software to satisfy all licensing requirements during the Validation and Verification (V&V) process
• Incorporate additional 3rd-party programs in our simulation ecosystem as necessary to support licensing
• Design and execute sensitivity studies to understand the effects and validity of various modeling assumptions, including meshing, physics coupling, transport options, cross section preparation, fission product models, spatial kinetics, etc., and adjust methods
• as necessary
• Train and support reactor designers and developers in the use of the design software suite
• Build and apply methods to assess the propagation of uncertainty and their effect on safety margins
• Enhance engineering team's ability to build models and make meaningful conclusions from simulation output through input tools, visualization, reports, etc.

Job Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in Nuclear Engineering with 5-20 years of experience
• M.S. degree in Nuclear Engineering with 3-15 years of experience
• Ph.D. degree in Nuclear Engineering with 2-10 years of experience
• Competitive candidates will typically have the above experience, but less experienced candidates with significant national laboratory, academia, or commercial reactor experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Fast reactor physics and design intuition
• Experience in understanding and executing nuclear design/analysis methodologies, including criticality, flux/power distributions, fuel management optimization, reactivity coefficients, shielding, activation, control rod worth, detector response, and uncertainty
• analysis, ideally with a focus on fast-neutron reactors
• Excellent “under-the-hood” knowledge of the methods of reactor physics analysis (deterministic and stochastic particle transport, isotopic depletion, perturbation theory, nuclear data, kinetics, etc.)
• Experience with some nuclear engineering software such as DIF3D, MC2, PARTISN, MCNP, Serpent, SCALE, PARCS, APA, CASMO, DRAGON, ARMI, etc. preferred
• Strong computational expertise required: we consider computers to be the universe at our fingertips rather than burdensome necessities
• Strong programming skills in any language required, preferably in scientific computing, Python, C++, and Fortran skills are a bonus
• Proven ability to integrate and automate simulation tools
• Demonstrable capabilities with fundamental software development tools (e.g. IDEs, version control, profilers, debuggers, documentation builders, packaging tools)
• Experience interacting on nuclear methodology with the NRC under an ASME NQA-1 compliant QA environment preferred
• Good working knowledge of general numerical methods and applied mathematics (e.g. PDEs, numerical stability, statistics, numerical analysis, dynamics)
• Strong formal technical documentation skills required
• Ability to consistently deliver to an aggressive schedule
• Self-motivated: able to seek out tasks and produce value aligned with team goals without waiting for next assignment
• Passion for and dedication to software best practices
• Willingness to openly give and accept professional criticism through code reviews and other venues
• Strong verbal communication skills desired
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly and display respect, and a desire to foster teamwork
• Travel Required: 0-5%. #TerraPro

Job Details:

• Job Type: Contract
• Pay Rate Range: $52 - $85/hr (Pay rates are approved based on candidate location, education and experience)
• Location: 100% Remote Acceptable
• Export control regulations require candidates to be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Legal Permanent Resident, or of a protected person status

Benefits Package: Protingent offers competitive salaries, insurance plan options (HDHP plan or POS plan), education/certification reimbursement, pre-tax commuter benefits, Paid Time Off (PTO), and an administered 401k plan.

About Protingent: Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation — from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.