TITLE: Materials Engineer - Materials Development and Qualification

LOCATION: Bellevue, WA, USA

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. In addition, as a federal contractor, TerraPower has instituted an Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) in an effort to proactively recruit, hire, and promote women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

Materials Engineer - Materials Development and Qualification

TerraPower, LLC is seeking a highly motivated Materials Engineer to support the engineering efforts of the Materials Development and Qualification team. This role will work as part of a high functioning team of engineers focused on materials processing, supply chain development and supplier qualification for next generation material and components for sodium cooled fast reactors. You will be responsible for a wide range of materials development activities ranging from fundamental laboratory testing to development of a manufacturing process for advanced reactor components. A primary function of this role will be to work with design teams to develop materials requirements and ensure components and equipment meet programmatic objectives for the Natrium reactor.

Responsibilities

• Interface with various project teams to ensure materials development and testing efforts meet programmatic objectives for a wide range of TerraPower initiatives including the Natrium reactor
• Use fundamental materials engineering principles to develop basic models of material performance and validate using laboratory testing
• Develop and oversee test programs for sodium fast reactor material performance (e.g., physical property measurement, ion and neutron irradiation, mechanical testing, corrosion, and tribology)
• External procurements of materials, equipment, and testing services, including authoring procurement requisitions and managing supplier performance to plan
• Perform scientific analysis on test data and generate technical reports to document new knowledge related to reactor design and qualification
• Apply key lessons learned in conjunction with external suppliers to develop material and component fabrication specifications for the Natrium reactor
• Provide materials engineering support for the procurement of engineered components and systems including leading technical development of suppliers to increase technology readiness level of key components
• Provide material selection guidance for TerraPower’s reactor development programs

Key Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum of 3 years of related experience with a B.S. degree; or an advanced degree with related experience, or equivalent experience. A degree in Materials Science/Engineering or a related technical discipline is desired.
• A thorough understanding of metallurgy of ferrous (e.g., ferritic-martensitic and austenitic steels) and nonferrous (e.g., nickel-base) alloys
• An understanding of degradation phenomena in sodium cooled fast reactor core materials
• Prior experience in materials development, testing, and characterization for a nuclear reactor environment is desirable
• Ability to work with minimum direction to solve challenging problems
• On-site arrangement is preferred, but remote work will be considered based on candidate assessment.
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly and display respect and a desire to foster teamwork.
• Military experience is a plus
• Actual position starting level and title will be determined based on assessment of qualifications.

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 and/or standing 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 hrs./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 Level 9: $91,745 - $137,617
Salary Range Level 10: $105,236 - $157,855

• Typically, our employee salaries are within .90 – 1.0 of the mid-point of the posted salary bands. Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications and 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
• 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
• Flexible Work Schedule

TerraPower Career and Benefits information: https://www.terrapower.com/contact-us/careers/

Please visit www.terrapower.com to apply