Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting direct hire Senior FEA Analyst – Nuclear Fuel Behavior & Operations opportunity.
Job Responsibilities:
Multi-Physics Fuel Modeling: Develop and execute high-fidelity 2D and 3D finite element models to simulate the coupled thermo-mechanical behavior of fuel rods, pellets, and cladding under steady-state, transient, and accident scenarios (RIA/LOCA).
Interface & Interaction Analysis: Conduct detailed evaluations of Pellet-Cladding Mechanical Interactions (PCMI) and Pellet-Cladding Thermal Interactions (PCTI), capturing localized stress concentrations, mechanical locking, and cladding strain.
Microstructural Performance Integration: Simulate time- and burnup-dependent fuel phenomena, including fission gas release, fuel swelling, densification, thermal conductivity degradation, and cladding creep/hydriding.
V&V and Quality Assurance: Lead rigorous Verification and Validation (V&V) procedures for fuel performance models in strict compliance with ASME NQA-1 quality standards.
Regulatory Technical Support: Compile, review, and authorize formal technical reports and licensing topical reports to defend fuel safety margins before nuclear regulatory authorities (e.g., US NRC).
Job Qualifications:
Multi-Physics Fuel Modeling: Develop and execute high-fidelity 2D and 3D finite element models to simulate the coupled thermo-mechanical behavior of fuel rods, pellets, and cladding under steady-state, transient, and accident scenarios (RIA/LOCA).
Interface & Interaction Analysis: Conduct detailed evaluations of Pellet-Cladding Mechanical Interactions (PCMI) and Pellet-Cladding Thermal Interactions (PCTI), capturing localized stress concentrations, mechanical locking, and cladding strain.
Microstructural Performance Integration: Simulate time- and burnup-dependent fuel phenomena, including fission gas release, fuel swelling, densification, thermal conductivity degradation, and cladding creep/hydriding.
V&V and Quality Assurance: Lead rigorous Verification and Validation (V&V) procedures for fuel performance models in strict compliance with ASME NQA-1 quality standards.
Regulatory Technical Support: Compile, review, and authorize formal technical reports and licensing topical reports to defend fuel safety margins before nuclear regulatory authorities (e.g., US NRC).
Core Competencies:
Deep understanding of high-temperature material science, radiation effects on materials (swelling, creep), and fracture mechanics.
Proven capability in scripting and code customization (Python, C++, or Fortran) to automate workflows and implement custom material subroutines.
Familiarity working within rigid nuclear quality assurance frameworks (NQA-1).
Preferred Job Qualifications:
Experience modeling advanced technology fuels, such as Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) concepts, doped UO2, silicide fuels, or liquid metal/molten salt reactor fuel elements.
Strong track record of publishing peer-reviewed research or presenting technical findings to nuclear regulatory bodies.
Job Details:
Job Type: Direct Hire
Salary $120K-$125K
Location: Austin, TX (Onsite).
Active or Prior U.S. DOE Q-Level or DoD Secret security clearance.
Export control regulations require candidates to be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Legal Permanent Resident, or of a protected person status
About Protingent: Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation — from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.
Numbers & Facts
Location
Austin, TX
Salary
$120,000–$125,000 Per Year
Skills
3D Modelingunmatched
Aerospace and Defenseunmatched
Analysis Skillsunmatched
Artificial Intelligence (AI)unmatched
C++ Programming Languageunmatched
Clean Technologiesunmatched
Customer Support/Serviceunmatched
DOE-Q (Top Secret Restricted Data)unmatched
DoD Secret Clearanceunmatched
Finite Element Analysisunmatched
Fortran Programming Languageunmatched
Fracture Mechanicsunmatched
GNU Bisonunmatched
Information Technology & Information Systemsunmatched
Legalunmatched
Licensingunmatched
Material Scienceunmatched
Medical Equipmentunmatched
Performance Modelingunmatched
Physicsunmatched
Python Programming/Scripting Languageunmatched
Quality Assuranceunmatched
Quality Metricsunmatched
Regulationsunmatched
Rich Internet Application (RIA)unmatched
Scripting (Scripting Languages)unmatched
Security Clearanceunmatched
Technical Presentationunmatched
Technical Researchunmatched
Technical Supportunmatched
United States Citizenunmatched
Validation Testingunmatched
🎯
Be found by employers
5,500+ employers search our resume database daily. Add yours to get found by recruiters looking for candidates like you.
Level up your application
Professional resume templates
Browse dozens of recruiter approved resume templates, layouts and formats. Choose your favorite and make it your own in minutes.