Core Structural Materials Engineering Manager

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. 

Core Structural Materials Engineering Manager

The Natrium Core Structural Materials Engineering Manager reports directly to the Senior Manager, Core Material Qualification. This position is focused on managing the development and qualification of Natrium reactor core assembly materials, establishing a supply chain, and providing material performance data to the design organization. In this role, you will manage a dedicated team of engineers developing material performance tools and performing analysis and testing activities in support of TerraPower’s advanced nuclear reactor project. This position also supports the senior manager in project scheduling and reporting activities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development and deployment of material performance models for metallic materials used to fabricate reactor core assembly components


• Approve material property datasets generated via Qualification of Existing Data per ASME NQA-1-2015


• Oversee materials test programs to validate models of material performance and ensure materials development and testing efforts meet programmatic objectives of the Natrium reactor


• Provide materials engineering support for the procurement of engineered components and systems including leading technical development of suppliers to increase the technology readiness level of key components


• Oversee development, optimization, and qualification of new materials for sodium fast reactor applications


• Coordinate with the Fuel Development and Qualification, Fuel Fabrication and Core Design groups to develop fuel technologies supporting Natrium Kemmerer Unit 1 and future commercial reactor concepts


• Inform and support the licensing process for advanced reactor fuel


• Work with the Senior Manager and Project Management team to develop and maintain the schedule and budget


• Manage the Core Materials Qualification team to deliver project work within schedule and cost constraints


• Communicate the status of engineering progress to the team, stakeholders and management


• Assure compliance to procedures, standards and regulatory criteria


• Ensure that engineering work is performed with a high level of integrity through rigorous enforcement of work processes and technical reviews of team deliverables


• Demonstrate visible, continuous leadership in the areas of safety and Quality


• Establish and enforce procedures to ensure a safe working environment


• Implement quality assurance policy and requirements for the project


• Interface with regulators, stakeholders, and customers on materials engineering design issues


• Recommend staff changes (new additions, replacements due to attrition, de-staffing) and work with Human Resources to manage approved staffing changes


• Support the development of direct reports through mentoring, training, and challenging assignments

Key Qualifications and Skills

• 8+ years of related nuclear experience and a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline from an accredited university; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years experience; or equivalent experience


• Proven track record in successful management and leadership with 2 years of previous supervisory or mentoring experience or equivalent people leadership experience


• A solid understanding of metallurgy including fabrication and thermomechanical processing of ferrous (e.g., ferritic-martensitic steels) and nonferrous (e.g., nickel-base, refractory) alloys


• Advanced knowledge and experience in nuclear quality programs, design control, and configuration management principles, practices, and tools


• Experience working in stringent quality systems (e.g., ISO-9001, AS9100) is required, experience working to ASME NQA-1, 10 CFR 50 Appendix B highly desired


• A general understanding of the design of reactor plant and related systems and experience with sodium cooled fast reactors would be considered a plus


• Self-starter and possess ability to perform both individually and as a team contributor; proven ability to direct small teams with minimal oversight


• A high degree of trust and integrity, able to communicate openly, and display respect and a desire to foster teamwork


• Proven track record in planning, budgeting, and execution of testing or modeling activities


• Effective verbal and written communication skills

This position is subject to qualification requirements in accordance with ANSI/ANS 3.1. Candidates must meet the minimum education and experience criteria applicable to the role, including relevant nuclear industry experience where required. Verification of data will be part of the hiring process.

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 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 hours/day


• Travel required 0-10%

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 :  $168,316 - $252,475

Job Type:  Full-time

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 and Disability
  
  
  • Gender Affirmation Benefits
  
  
  
  


• Parental Leave


• 401k 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

TerraPower Career and Benefits information:  https://www.terrapower.com/contact-us/careers/