Nuclear Engine Systems Engineer

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 engineeringrelated activities to enable the design test and operation of the DRACO rocket engine.

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.
• CrossDisciplinary 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 highperformance computing (HPC) platforms.
• Modeling & Simulation Software Development: Experience with M&S software development including parallel processing and efficient solution algorithms is highly desirable.
• Coordinate develop and present technical materials related to engine systemperformance and testing in support of design milestone reviews andanomaly investigations.
• Document and maintain test and data analysis processes in written work instructions.
• Participate in relevant trade and pursue resolution of issues.
• Identify and document customer objectives and product requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions

Work Environment:

Office environment. Requires ability to provide clear concise accurate and timely communication both verbally and in writing 100. Requires ability to interact professionally with coworkers management and client 100. Requires travel in the domestic USA 10. Requires ability to work at a computer for long periods of time 100.

Physical Requirements:

Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers management and with our client at NASA facilities to discuss technical issues 10. Also requires sitting for extended periods of time at a desk to write reports and perform engineering tasks 80. Requires ability to use stairs or elevators for access between floors and multiple buildings at NASA and other facilities 10.

Equipment and Machines:

Requires ability to operate a personal computer a telephone fax machine copier calculator and other general office equipment 100.

Attendance:

Normal workday is from 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Minimal overtime may be required 10 to meet schedule milestones and to support technical demands of the job. Regular attendance is a necessity and adequate arrangements for delegating duties during absences are required.

Other Essential Functions:

The ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to make rational decisions and to exercise good judgment is essential 100. Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required.

Qualifications

Typically educational requirements are the equivalent of a minute of a Masters with at least 3 years of experience or BS with at least 5 years experience.

Qualifications include:

• A background in computer science or related fields is highly desired. Additionally the ability to translate engineering physics concepts into computational models and engage with the engineering community to implement these models is crucial.
• Computational Science Engagement: Proven ability to articulate the needs concerns and opportunities from a computational science perspective while collaborating with the engineering and physics communities.

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