Neutronics Analyst

Idaho National Laboratory seeks Neutronics Analysts to shape the future of nuclear energy by leveraging cutting-edge research to develop next-generation reactors and systems that power the nation and beyond. You'll develop experimental requirements or packaging and handling requirements for spent nuclear fuel, apply advanced nuclear engineering design principles and theories, use best practices in design methodologies to develop and validate designs, and document designs to ensure conformance with requirements and standards. Your work includes establishing testing and quality requirements, ensuring fabrication and procurement align with design specifications, performing integrated analyses to meet experimental, storage, transportation, and facility safety requirements, and defending analytical methods and results in reviews. You'll support project interactions with sponsors and operations, develop and improve physics-based mathematical models and analysis methods, prepare reports and peer-reviewed publications, represent programs through technical presentations, and perform analyses of irradiation experiments supporting transformational fuel qualification efforts. 

Responsibilities: 

• Perform calculations and analysis of nuclear fuels and materials to support inpile experiment design and operation. Contribute to the development of techniques and capabilities to support inpile experiment design and analysis of nuclear fuels and materials.
• Participate in collaborations and meetings with customers and project team members to discuss scope of work, research objectives, resources, milestones, results, and on-going research.
• Contribute to the preparation of reports and peer reviewed publications. Present results. Perform technical checks and peer reviews.
• Maintain currency in relevant scientific/engineering literature and enhance skills/laboratory capabilities in areas related to modern engineering design and analysis tools.
• Support division business objectives through participation in proposal development.
  Work with designers, analysts, and customers to develop experimental requirements or to develop packaging and handling requirements for spent nuclear fuel. 
• Select and widely apply advanced nuclear engineering design principles, theories, and concepts (which may include reactor fuel and packaging). Decompose project objectives into defined and controlled design requirements.
• Use design methodologies, technologies, and processes which are best practice for the technical discipline to develop and define a design, and to validate that the design meets defined requirements.
• Document the design (controlled and approved models, drawings, specifications, design descriptions) to establish conformance with design requirements and applicable codes and standards.
• Establish testing, inspection, and quality requirements to ensure technical features important to design functions are maintained.
• Oversee or otherwise ensure that fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement are done in accordance with the design.
• May perform integrated analyses to ensure that experimental requirements and facility safety bases are met.
• May perform integrated analyses to ensure that storage, transportation, and disposal requirements and facility safety bases are met. 
• Defend analytical methods and results in management and independent reviews. 
• Perform analysis and design tasks supporting project/program interactions with (experiment) sponsors, operations, and engineering organizations to ensure that project related operations are performed in a manner that is consistent with the facility authorization. 
• Develop physics-based mathematical models of mechanical, chemical, and electrical systems to support and verify design. Develop and improve models and analysis methods.
• Prepare reports and peer-reviewed publications. 
• Represent programs, the Laboratory, and the Division/Department through programmatic and technical presentations to the public, and to the sponsors and peers at conferences and symposia.
• Participate in professional development activities aimed at keeping pace with industry developments and increasing proficiency of applications to irradiation experiments. Maintain familiarity with and technical understanding of codes and standards applicable to the discipline.
• Perform analyses of irradiation experiments conducted in nuclear reactors.
• Conduct research supporting nuclear processes (including fuel qualification efforts and modeling of used accident tolerant, TRISO, molten metal, and ceramic fuel) with a focus on the application of modern performance codes into existing programmatic efforts.

• Support transformational fuel qualification efforts, especially rapid development of fuel performance codes based on accelerated testing platforms.

   

   

Required

• Level 2: Bachelors of Science in Nuclear Engineering or directly related degree and 2 years or more of experience, Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering or directly related engineering degree and 0 or more years of experience, or a PhD of Science in Nuclear Engineering or directly related engineering degree and 0 or more years of experience. 
• Level 3: Bachelors of Science in Nuclear Engineering or directly related degree and 5 years or more of experience, Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering or directly related engineering degree and or 2 more years of experience, or a PhD of Science in Nuclear Engineering or directly related engineering degree from and 2 or more years of experience. 
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy "L" clearance, which requires US Citizenship.
   

The ideal candidate will possess: 

• Advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering or similar discipline
• 2 or more years of experience performing neutronics calculations for customers 
• 2 or more years of experience supporting an operating nuclear facility
• Experience using modeling and simulation codes such as MCNP, OpenMC, SCALE, or MC21
• Experience using programming (e.g. FORTRAN, Python, C++) languages to pre/post process data
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills
   

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information:

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Neutronics Analyst  to work on our Nuclear Reactor Technology team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our REC facility with every other Friday off.

The pay range for this position is: Level 2 ($79,344 - $162,732) / Level 3 ($95,256 - $195,288). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.

Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.

TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.

Working Conditions:

Incumbent of the position performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls with laboratory field work subjected to variable weather. The noise level is generally moderate. Periodic travel required in normal course of job performance. Position may include exposure to mechanical, electrical, pressure, temperature, and other potential hazards. Necessary safety equipment may be required including personal protective equipment (PPE) when required.  Periodic safety training is necessary. Position may be required to work irregular hours of more than 8 hours/day and working alone.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

INL Mission:

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision:

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements:

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation:

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information:

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.