Entry Level Nuclear Engineer and Physicist Nuclear

About the Role

The Future Development Programs (FDP) department at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is seeking a highly motivated entry-level nuclear engineer to contribute to next generation reactor core design. FDP is currently leading the conceptual development of a new reactor core for the Navy's fast attack submarine fleet.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to next generation reactor core design.
• Define future design spaces.
• Evaluate innovative technologies.
• Assess cost-performance trade-offs for advanced submarine propulsion concepts.
• Apply nuclear engineering education to evaluate neutronic behavior, thermal performance, shielding design, or overall primary plant performance.
• Assess how new design concepts can improve the performance, safety, and capability of future naval reactors.
• Develop a broad understanding of how multiple engineering disciplines integrate into reactor core design.
• Collaborate closely between nuclear design, thermal analysis, shielding, and reactor performance groups.
• Develop sophisticated analysis models.
• Execute comprehensive evaluations to ensure maximum capability and reactor safety.
• Interact frequently with multidisciplinary partners, including core manufacturing groups, materials performance groups, and reactor plant design organizations.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Strong desire to develop a broad understanding of how multiple engineering disciplines integrate into reactor core design.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to excel at working in a highly collaborative environment.
• Nuclear Engineering or Physics coursework.
• Coursework in thermal and nuclear design and analysis including neutronics, radiation transport, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, or finite element analysis.
• Experience in engineering analysis, including the use of coding to post-process results in MATLAB or Python.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with an ability to articulate technical ideas in a clear and concise manner.
• U.S. Citizens required.
• Must be able to pass a Federal background investigation.
• Must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter.
• Must be able to pass a drug test.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Nuclear Engineering or Physics; OR
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Nuclear Engineering or Physics.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Cumulative GPA 3.2 or higher.