Instrumentation & Controls Engineer
Navarro Research and Engineering
Cyber Security
Thermal-Hydraulics Engineer
Navarro Research and Engineering
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Office
Location: Idaho Falls • Idaho • 🇺🇸 United States
Visit company websiteJob Level
Mid-LevelSenior
Tech Stack
Python
About the role
- Apply nuclear and mechanical engineering principles to design, model, and evaluate thermal-fluid behavior in sodium-cooled reactor systems.
- Develop and maintain steady-state and transient models using RELAP5-3D, SAM, or similar codes to assess system performance under normal, off-normal, and accident conditions.
- Perform CFD simulations of subchannels and other reactor systems using ANSYS-FLUENT, CTF, STAR-CCM+, or equivalent CFD software.
- Support development of testing plans and analysis for the Aalo sodium test facility and component-level experiments.
- Collaborate across engineering disciplines to integrate thermal-hydraulic models into safety analyses, component design, control strategies, and system validation.
- Review applicable thermal-hydraulic codes, identify gaps in predictive capability, and recommend improvements aligned with industry advancements.
- Prepare technical documentation including analysis reports, test plans, and design review packages.
Requirements
- BS or higher in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field with a thermal-fluids focus.
- 3–10 years of experience in thermal-hydraulic modeling and simulation, preferably with sodium or other liquid metal reactors.
- Strong proficiency in RELAP5-3D, SAM, TRACE, or similar system codes.
- Experience with subchannel or CFD tools (e.g., CTF, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM).
- Familiarity with MOOSE-based applications (e.g., PRONGHORN, BISON) is a plus.
- Proficiency in scripting and data analysis (e.g., Python, MATLAB).
- Experience modeling liquid metal systems and other low Prandtl number systems.
- Strong familiarity with verification and validation requirements for nuclear applications.
- Effective communicator and technical problem solver.
- Comfortable working in fast-paced, multidisciplinary environments.
- Demonstrated ability to document results, lead technical efforts, and meet project milestones.
- U.S. citizenship is required.
Benefits
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan (401k)
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&AD)
- Paid Time Off (Vacation & Public Holidays)
- Short Term & Long Term Disability
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard skills
thermal-fluid behaviorthermal-hydraulic modelingCFD simulationssodium-cooled reactor systemsRELAP5-3DSAMANSYS-FLUENTCTFSTAR-CCM+scripting
Soft skills
effective communicatortechnical problem solvercollaborationdocumentationleadershipadaptabilityproject management