Manager, Core Thermal Hydraulic Methods and Analysis

TerraPower is a nuclear technology company based in Bellevue, Washington, working to raise living standards globally through affordable, secure, and environmentally friendly nuclear energy and innovations in medical isotopes. Founded in 2006 by Bill Gates and a group of visionaries, TerraPower aims to advance global energy deployment and improve human health. The company is a leader in new nuclear technologies, developing innovations in safety, economics, hybrid energy, and medical applications.

About the role

The Core Thermal Hydraulics Methods and Analysis Manager leads and develops a team responsible for creating, validating, and applying thermal-hydraulic methodologies to establish core flow, heat-transfer behavior, and reactor component thermal loads. This role involves developing analyses using tools like Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and subchannel solvers to support reactor design, safety, and performance. The manager reports to the Senior Manager of System Thermal Hydraulic Analysis and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Core Thermal Hydraulics Methods and Analysis team, including analysts and code developers.
• Participate in management discussions on strategy, risk, budget, goals, resources, and team performance.
• Ensure compliance with procedures, standards, and regulatory criteria for a safe working environment.
• Perform technical approvals on team deliverables, including thermal-hydraulic methods and analyses determining flow and heat-transfer performance within the core.
• Establish, reinforce, and leverage best practices within the team.
• Communicate engineering and project priorities to the team, stakeholders, and management.
• Own staffing plans, hiring decisions, performance reviews, compensation input, coaching, and succession planning for the team.
• Apply strong technical knowledge, analytical thinking, and engineering judgment to resolve issues.
• Provide technical insights, mentorship, and support high-quality, clear work packages.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary engineering teams to optimize nuclear component designs consistent with functional and quality requirements.
• Support development, verification, and validation of methodologies, including test planning and execution.
• Establish scope, review, approve, and maintain documentation of analysis results and design solutions.

Requirements

• B.S, M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical, Nuclear, or other relevant technical Engineering area from an accredited university.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in thermal hydraulic analysis with a B.S. degree, or 8+ years with an M.S. or Ph.D. degree, demonstrating high-quality work.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience coordinating technical teams with a proven ability to meet project goals.
• Experience managing personnel, including resource loading, work planning, and career development (preferred).
• Experience interfacing with other engineering disciplines, including design and test.
• Proficiency in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, thermal hydraulics methods, and commercial CFD tools, with emphasis on STAR-CCM+.
• Strong understanding of thermal hydraulic principles and heat transfer; knowledge of sodium fast reactor thermal hydraulics (preferred).
• Demonstrated experience in thermal hydraulic analysis using CFD or other tools.
• Experience working under stringent quality assurance requirements such as ASME NQA-1, MIL-Q-9858A, or ISO-9000.
• High degree of trust and integrity, with strong communication skills and a desire to foster teamwork.

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

Job Functions

• Motor Abilities: Sitting for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands).
• Physical Exertion: 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: 0-10%.

TerraPower's technology is controlled for export by U.S. Government agencies. Applicants who are foreign nationals (other than asylees, refugees, or lawful permanent residents) will be evaluated in accordance with U.S. export control requirements.

Pay

Salary Range: $153,862 - $205,149 (specific to Washington State). Any salary offered within this range is based on market data and commensurate with the selected candidate's qualifications and experience.

Schedule

Full-time.

Benefits

• Compensation: Competitive salary, eligible for discretionary short-term incentive payments.
• Medical and Wellness Benefits:
  • Medical, vision, and dental coverage.
  • Life and disability insurance.
  • Gender affirmation benefits.
  • Parental leave.
• Retirement: 401k Plan.
• Paid Time Off:
  • 21 days of annually accrued PTO.
  • 10 paid holidays.
• Additional Benefits:
  • Relocation assistance.
  • Professional and educational support opportunities.