TITLE: Test Engineer (MCRE)

LOCATION: Everett, 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.

Test Engineer (MCRE)

The Test Engineering Discipline within TerraPower, LLC is seeking a highly motivated Test Design Engineer on a full-time basis. In this role, you will perform testing activities to support the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE), including implementing test plans and specifications, as well as supporting test activities, analyzing test data, and writing test reports. Testing activities will involve high temperature molten salts including activities related to manufacturing, corrosion and flow behavior of molten salts in engineered systems. This effort will support the Molten Chloride Fast Reactor (MCFR) program and the operation of the MCRE will mark the first successful reactor to be fueled by molten chloride salts.

Your role will include interfacing with a team of scientists, engineers, and technicians both internal and external to TerraPower. You will help identify, specify, and integrate test results to inform the design and construction of the MCRE. Candidates will ideally have experience in hands-on laboratory work, including ground-up design, fabrication, safe operation, and scientific analysis of first-of-a-kind equipment of any size.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Test Engineer for the testing of molten salt systems and components for the MCRE.
• Implement test requirements, plans, specifications, and procedures for testing activities for unique components in a high temperature molten salt environment.
• Assist with fabrication and assembly of system testing hardware at TerraPower laboratories.
• Conduct testing activities at TerraPower laboratories to ensure safe operation and successful gathering of high-quality data related to high temperature molten salts.
• Perform scientific analysis on test data and generate test reports to document new knowledge related to molten salt reactors.
• Support continuous learning and application of nuclear industry best practices to maintain the highest quality design and to identify process change/enhancement opportunities.
• Help foster a collaborative and safe work environment for testing and laboratory activities.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• B.S. degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Nuclear or Materials Science Engineering or equivalent with minimum 3 years’ experience; advanced degree a plus.
• Experience in research with exotic fluids desired, especially at temperatures above 400°C.
• Experience with hands-on, ground-up design, fabrication, operation, and scientific analysis of first-of-a-kind equipment is highly desirable.
• Experience with SolidWorks and/or AutoCAD for two- and three-dimensional experimental design desirable.
• Experience with programming, troubleshooting, and operating DAQ systems and software, like LabView, desirable.
• Track record of working safely with laboratory chemicals and in hazardous physical conditions preferred.
• Familiarity with fabrication, joining, and cladding processes and limitations desired.
• Experience with scripting and automation of analysis tools desired.
• Ability to participate in a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and scientists.
• Strong analytical/problem solving skills, creative thinker.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks concurrently during a given work week.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Willingness to learn and solve challenging problems in a fast-paced environment.
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust 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 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 hrs/day
• Travel required: 0-10% (frequent inter-office travel, locally)

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 9: $91,744 - $137,617

Salary Range Level 10 : $105,236 - $157,855

• Typically, our employee salaries are within .90 – 1.0 of the mid-point of the posted salary bands. Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected candidate’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
• 401(k) 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/