Senior Engineer, Plant Thermal Hydraulics Methods

Job Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical, Nuclear, Chemical Engineering, or similar fields, with 5+ years of experience in system-level thermal hydraulic modeling and method development for nuclear or complex energy systems. Demonstrated experience in developing or improving analysis methods, including numerical scheme development, closure model formulation, and stability/accuracy optimization strategies.

Position Title: Senior Engineer, Plant Thermal Hydraulics Methods
 
Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting contract Senior Engineer, Plant Thermal Hydraulics Methods opportunity.
 
Job Responsibilities:

• Develop plant-scale thermal hydraulic analysis methods, including modeling strategies, numerical approaches, and closure models.
• Perform steady-state and transient system-level analyses to characterize model behavior, assess method performance, and define method fidelity requirements.
• Support method qualification, including numerical verification, applicability envelopes, and performance characterization.
• Formulate and integrate closure models and correlations (e.g., heat transfer, pressure drop, mixing, component-level physics) into existing analysis frameworks.
• Identify modeling gaps and support method enhancement using and sensitivity studies.
• Develop automated workflows and tools for model setup, execution, post processing, and repeatable method application.
• Document modeling methodologies, assumptions, method applicability, and numerical performance for design processes and licensing support activities.
• Work across disciplines to ensure thermal hydraulic methods integrate effectively with plant design, safety analysis, and coupled simulation workflows.
• Apply and improve Company's SQA and NQA 1 modeling practices, ensuring traceability, configuration control, and reproducibility of methods.

Job Qualifications:

• Degree in Mechanical, Nuclear, Chemical Engineering, or similar fields, with 5+ years of experience in system-level thermal hydraulic modeling and method development for nuclear or complex energy systems.
• Demonstrated experience in developing or improving analysis methods, including numerical scheme development, closure model formulation, and stability/accuracy optimization strategies.
• Experience performing system-level thermal hydraulic analyses using tools such as RELAP5 3D, GOTHIC, SAS, or equivalent, with the ability to extend or tailor modeling approaches within these frameworks.
• Strong foundation in thermal fluids and reactor system behavior, including complex thermal hydraulic phenomena relevant to advanced reactor designs.
• Experience in sensitivity analyses and model gap identification that support method development priorities.
• Familiarity with scientific programming and workflow automation (e.g., Python, MATLAB).
• Familiarity with NQA 1 quality assurance for modeling workflows, including documented methodologies, configuration control, and model traceability.
• Strong analytical thinking, clear technical communication, and the ability to support multiple method development efforts in parallel.
• Travel Required: 0-5%

Job Details:

• Contract
• Pay Rate Range: $52 - $85 *Pay rates are approved based on candidate location, education and experience*
• Location: Bellevue, WA or 100% REMOTE
• 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. #TerraPro