Fuel Development & Testing 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. 

Manager, Fuel Development & Testing

The Natrium Manager, Fuel Development & Testing reports directly to the Senior Manager, Fuel Development & Qualification. This position is focused on managing the development and qualification of Natrium fuel. In this role, you will manage a dedicated team of engineers developing fuel 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

• Manage the Fuel Development & Testing Team
• Work with the Senior Manager to develop and maintain project schedules
• Assure compliance to procedures, standards and regulatory criteria
• Perform technical approvals on team deliverables
• Establish best practices and or leverage best practices within the team
• Communicate the status of engineering and project priorities to the team, stakeholders and management
• Develop and deploy nuclear fuel performance tools for advanced metal fuel technology
• Identify and perform key testing activities to support validation of fuel performance tools and fuel qualification
• Inform and support the fuel licensing process
• Ability to work effectively within a highly collaborative environment
• Delivers project work within schedule and cost constraints
• Effectively communicates project expectations and assignments to project teams
• Provides clear and concise updates of project progress
• Leverages technical knowledge and experience combined with analytical thinking to execute work
• Uses problem solving skills and operational judgement to make decisions and solve project issues
• Coordinate with the Material Development and Qualification, Fuel Supply, and Core Design groups to develop fuel technologies supporting Natrium Demonstration and future commercial reactor concepts.
• Coordinate with National Laboratories and other vendors to perform testing activities.
• Work with Human Resources to recruit additional staff.
• Train and develop young engineers.
• Establish and enforce procedures to ensure a safe working environment.
• Implement quality assurance policy and requirements for the project.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• B.S. or higher in relevant engineering discipline from an accredited university and 8+ years of relevant experience
• Two years of previous supervisory or mentoring experience or equivalent people leadership experience is required
• Advanced knowledge and experience in nuclear quality programs, design control, and configuration management principles, practices, and tools are required
• Experience working to ASME NQA-1 is preferred
• Experience with 10 CFR 50 Appendix B control programs is preferred
• Candidate must be a self-starter and possess ability to perform both individually and as a team contributor; proven ability to direct small teams with minimal oversight is preferred
• 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
• Proven track record in planning, budgeting, and execution of testing or modeling activities
• Proven track record in successful management and leadership
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Nuclear Industry knowledge / experience
• Knowledge of fuel performance modeling and/or fuel irradiation testing
• Knowledge of metallic fuel and/or sodium fast reactor technologies strongly desired

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: $163,423.92  –  $217,898.56

*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.

Job Type:  Full-time

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/