TerraPower.

TerraPower.

Principal Engineer, Safety Methods

Bellevue, Washington, United States · Principal

Sponsorship not specified$168k-$252kDetected 21 hours ago
PythonMATLABSASResearchCommunicationProblem Solving

About the role

  • 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.

Responsibilities

  • Develop plant‑scale thermal‑hydraulic analysis methods, including modeling strategies, numerical approaches, and closure models.
  • Perform steady-state and transient system‑level analyses to characterize model behavior, assess method performance, and define method fidelity requirements.
  • Develop and maintain method qualification plans, including numerical verification, applicability envelopes, and performance characterization.
  • Identify modeling gaps and drive method enhancement priorities using Phenomena Identification and Ranking Table (PIRT), sensitivity studies, and multi-physics needs.
  • Develop automated workflows and tools for model setup, execution, post‑processing, and repeatable method application.
  • Collaborate with test engineering to define data needs that inform method development (not for validation purposes, but to guide model formulation and closure development).
  • Document modeling methodologies, assumptions, method applicability, and numerical performance for design processes and licensing‑support activities.
  • Work across disciplines to ensure thermal‑hydraulic methods integrate effectively with plant design, safety analysis, and coupled simulation workflows.
  • Demonstrated experience in developing or improving analysis methods, including numerical scheme development, closure model formulation, and stability/accuracy optimization strategies.
  • Strong foundation in thermal‑fluids and reactor system behavior, including complex thermal‑hydraulic phenomena relevant to advanced reactor designs.

Requirements

  • Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 25 pounds.
  • These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation.
  • Travel required 0-10%
  • Degree in Mechanical, Nuclear, Chemical Engineering, or similar field, with 12+ years of experience in system‑level thermal‑hydraulic modeling and method development for nuclear or complex energy systems.

Compensation

  • Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected candidate's qualifications and experience.
  • $168,316 - $252,475
  • Salary, eligible to participate in discretionary short-term incentive payments

Benefits

  • Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits
  • Life and Disability
  • Gender Affirmation Benefits
  • Parental Leave
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • 21 days of annually accrued PTO
  • Generous Holiday Schedule
  • Professional and Educational Support Opportunities
  • TerraPower Career and Benefits information: https://www.terrapower.com/contact-us/careers/
  • Candidates must meet the minimum education and experience criteria applicable to the role, including relevant nuclear industry experience where required.

Company info

  • Verification of data will be part of the hiring process.
  • To facilitate TerraPower's export control reviews, you will be asked as part of the

Visa & Work Authorization

  • Government export control requirements

This listing is sourced directly from TerraPower.'s careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.