Nuclear Engine Systems Engineer #ADV000AQV Position Available In Madison, Alabama

This position supports the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) project, a collaboration between DARPA and NASA aimed at developing and demonstrating nuclear thermal rocket engines (NTRE) in space. The engineer will work both independently at times and in an integrated team performing engine systems and system engineering-related activities to enable the design, test, and operation of the DRACO rocket engine.

Job Description:

As a key member of the DRACO team, primary duties will include:

Expertise in Nuclear Core Multiphysics (MP)

Modeling:

Experience with the physics involved in nuclear core dynamics, including heat transfer, fluid mechanics, structures, and nuclear engineering. Proficiency in at least one of these areas, with a strong focus on nuclear engineering, is essential.

Nuclear Reactor Operations:

Familiarity with nuclear reactor startup, shutdown, cooldown, testing, and controls is highly desired. Experience with simulating these operational phases is a plus.

Nuclear Reactor Core Materials:

Understanding of the materials and nuclear properties of nuclear reactor cores, particularly those used in nuclear thermal propulsion systems.

Simulation Software Proficiency:

Experience with simulation tools such as MCNP and OpenMC is highly desired. Familiarity with MOOSE is also valuable.

Nuclear Fuel Performance:

Solid understanding of nuclear fuel performance, including the ability to model the nuclear, chemical, and mechanical effects of fuel under varying operational conditions.

Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration:

Proven ability to interface successfully across multiple organizations and disciplines, ideally in a leadership or collaborative capacity.

Software Integration:

Strong ability to efficiently integrate disparate software systems and work comfortably in a networked environment, particularly on Linux systems and high-performance computing (HPC) platforms.

Modeling and Simulation Software Development:

Experience with MandS software development, including parallel processing and efficient solution algorithms, is highly desirable.

Coordinate, develop, and present technical materials related to engine system performance and testing in support of design milestone reviews and anomaly investigations.

Document and maintain test and data analysis processes in written work instructions.

Participate in relevant trade teams. Identify and pursue resolution of issues.

Identify and document customer objectives and product requirements.

Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

A degree in Aerospace Engineering, Nuclear Engineering or related field is required. A degree from an ABET accredited institution is preferred. Typically, educational requirements are the equivalent