Engineer, Nuclear Containment Systems

The TerraPower Isotopes® (TPI™) division has been established to pursue medical isotopes development--advancing nuclear science for significant human health benefits. We seek to support revolutionary radiotherapies for treatments of various cancers through the supply of radioisotopes. TerraPower currently has unique access to a supply of thorium for the long-term production of actinium-225 in the growing alpha therapy market and intends to expand into other nuclear related medical treatments.

The TerraPower Isotopes program is an integral part of the Washington State based TerraPower team, a company working to raise living standards globally. In 2006, the company originated with Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who evaluated the fundamental challenges to raising living standards around the world. TerraPower’s mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field.

TPI is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced radiopharmaceutical applications and influencing change within nuclear medicine. 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. 

Engineer, Nuclear Containment Systems - TPI

The TerraPower Isotopes® (TPI™) Nuclear Containment Systems Engineer will play a key role in the design, development, integration and commissioning of mechanical systems within TPI Ac-225 production facilities with particular emphasis on hot cells and gloveboxes suitable for handling of alpha emitting and long-lived radionuclides. The TPI Nuclear Containment Systems Engineer will join the team designing new containment systems and related equipment as TPI expands our production of Ac-225 and go on to support installation and commissioning of that equipment for TPI. The ideal candidate will have experience in the specification and design of radiological enclosures, transfer systems, HVAC and/or other systems commonly employed in radiological containments.

Responsibilities:

• Lead or support the specification and design of containment systems for complex radiological operations, transfer systems, remote manipulation and equipment integration within hot cells and gloveboxes from requirements development through to final design, successful commissioning and startup.


• Serve as either design lead or design backup for hot cells (HC) and gloveboxes (GB), contributing to overall layout planning, shielding and containment strategies for new production lines and facilities.


• Originate, review and maintain equipment requirements, specifications, calculations, process narratives, commissioning and installation plans, and IQ/OQ/PQ documents associated with the design and installation of mechanical systems.


• Participate in the integration of mechanical systems with facility infrastructure and process workflows.


• Identify and ensure effective application of correct design codes into the design of facility and lab systems such as ASME, ASCE, ANS, ASTM, IEEE, NFPA, AGS, etc.


• Communicate effectively across TPI team, and with key stakeholders to support review of engineering designs and gather necessary design input information.


• Collaborate with engineering and project teams during facility design and construction phases to ensure mechanical system, interface and facility requirements are met.


• Support troubleshooting of mechanical equipment on an as-needed basis, maintaining, and modifying equipment, and coordination across the TPI team to prepare and execute work procedures.


• Assist in developing procurement packages, communicating with procurement contract administrators, and overseeing fabrication and delivery of custom mechanical equipment.


• Communicate effectively with external vendors to review designs, maintain design documentation, manage timelines, ensure accuracy and efficiency of fabrication work, and support factory acceptance testing.


• Provide technical guidance during routine operations, preventative maintenance, and upgrades of mechanical systems.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• B.S. in mechanical, nuclear, systems engineering or related discipline from an accredited university and 5+ years direct experience with proven equipment design, testing and commissioning skills in an industrial setting.


• Understanding of mechanical engineering codes, standards, and design best practices.


• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g. SolidWorks, AutoCAD) is preferred.


• Experience designing hot cells, gloveboxes, or other shielded mechanical systems strongly preferred.


• Familiarity with radiological handling and material transfer systems is highly desirable.


• Prior experience designing, installing systems and performing acceptance testing for equipment that operates within nuclear facilities, radiopharmaceutical facilities, or radiological areas is strongly preferred.


• Experience leading acceptance testing and full commissioning of equipment is essential.


• Experience working to quality standards on design activities, such as ASME NQA-1 or ISO 9001.


• Discipline, rigor, attention to detail, attention to safety, and procedural adherence are required.


• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills, such as those developed in fast-paced environments including the military, and other nuclear or radiopharmaceutical environments are strongly preferred.


• Excellent technical writing, communication, and presentation skills.


• Ability to handle projects that include many competing objectives and design constraints, with ability to resolve conflicts between objectives and productively generate engineering design documents accordingly in a fast paced environment.


• Experience working and communicating productively in a multidisciplinary team including R&D, production, quality assurance, and engineering design functions.


• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, able to 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 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 Isotopes' technology is controlled for export by various agencies of the U.S. Government.  TerraPower Isotopes 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 Isotopes may not consider a foreign national from a country if it is impracticable to obtain timely Government export approval.

Job details

Salary Range: $117,922 - $176,833

*We typically place offers in the lower to middle portion of the range to maintain internal equity and allow room for growth. Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected individual’s qualifications 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/careers/