TITLE: Test Engineer - Mockup (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.

MCRE Test Engineer - Mockup

TerraPower, LLC is seeking a highly motivated Mockup Test Engineer on a full-time basis. In this role, you will perform testing activities to support the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE) Mockup, which is a full size, full temperature non-nuclear prototype of the MCRE reactor which we are installing and operating in our Everett lab. You will work directly with the MCRE Mockup Assembly lead as well as the Mockup integration contractor to support this installation and the follow-on commissioning and testing operations. Duties will include developing test and commissioning test plans and procedures, managing test activities, operating the Mockup, analyzing test data, and writing test reports. Testing activities will involve high-temperature molten salt handling, including activities related to manufacturing, corrosion control, and flow behavior of molten salts in engineered systems. Duties will include hands-on support of assembly, commissioning and troubleshooting the Mockup. Prior to Mockup operations, duties may also include operation of TerraPower’s salt batch purification equipment to support purified salt production for the Mockup.

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 commission and conduct testing on the mockup to confirm key MCRE design choices and operational assumptions. Additionally, you will identify key risks and provide innovative solutions to solving the challenges related to developing unique test methods and obtaining new knowledge related to molten salt reactors. Candidates must have extensive 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 and operation of the MCRE Mockup and other molten salt systems and components for the MCRE.
• Develop Mockup commissioning and test plans, and procedures for Mockup testing activities including functional checks, pressure and leak checks, and hot salt testing
• Oversee and/or perform 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.
• Integrate test results with work of other engineers and subject matter experts.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• B.S. with a minimum of 5 years of work experience, M.S. with 3 years of work experience in Mechanical, Chemical, Nuclear or Materials Science Engineering or equivalent;
• Experience in research with exotic fluids, especially at temperatures above 400°C.
• Experience working with and/or developing industrial process flow diagrams (PFD) and piping & instrument diagrams (P&ID).
• Experience with hands-on, ground-up design, fabrication, operation, and scientific analysis of first-of-a-kind equipment is highly desirable.
• Experience in high-temperature molten salt properties (e.g., density, heat capacity, thermal conductivity, viscosity, etc.) analysis methods 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, preferred.
• Track record of working safely with laboratory chemicals and in hazardous physical conditions preferred.
• Familiarity with fabrication, joining, and cladding processes and limitations preferred.
• Familiarity with material performance and limitations in an irradiated, high-temperature environment a plus.
• Experience with defining and verifying requirements and system engineering best practices preferred but not required.
• Experience with scripting and automation of analysis tools preferred but not required
• 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.
• Ability to handle projects that include multiple objectives and ability to resolve conflicts between objectives.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work with minimum direction to solve challenging problems and provide recommendations in a timely manner.
• 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 10: $105,236 - $157,855

Salary Range Level 11: $116,030 - $193,384

• 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/