We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Neutronics Engineer with deep expertise in Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) systems to lead advanced neutronics modeling, reactor core design, and safety analysis efforts. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in the development of next-generation fast reactor technology, ensuring technical excellence, regulatory compliance (AERB), and innovation in core performance and safety.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design, optimization, and multidisciplinary integration of SFR (Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor) cores—balancing breeding ratio, power distribution, cycle length, and safety margins.
- Perform high-fidelity neutronics simulations including criticality, shielding, burnup, and reactivity coefficient analyses using Monte Carlo (e.g., OpenMC, Serpent) and deterministic codes (e.g., ERANOS, DIF3D).
- Conduct fuel cycle and core performance optimization studies to support advanced fuel strategies and sustainability goals.
- Collaborate closely with fuel behavior, thermal-hydraulics, and structural mechanics teams to enable coupled multidisciplinary design and safety assessments.
- Prepare and submit technical safety documentation for AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board) licensing, including neutronics-based safety analysis reports (SARs) and justifications.
- Develop, calibrate, and validate high-accuracy neutronics models against experimental benchmarks, criticality experiments, and operational data.
- Lead or contribute to code verification & validation (V&V) programs for neutronics solvers, ensuring compliance with ASME NQA-1, IEEE, and IAEA standards.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to internal knowledge sharing and technical training programs.
Required Skills & Technical Competencies
Proficiency in the following tools, methods, and domain-specific areas is essential:
- SFR (Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor) neutronics, core physics, and system integration
- Monte Carlo neutron transport (e.g., OpenMC, Serpent)
- Deterministic transport & diffusion codes (e.g., ERANOS, DIF3D, PARTISN)
- Criticality and shielding analysis for fast systems
- Burnup and depletion modeling (e.g., ORIGEN coupling, depletion chains)
- Reactivity coefficient calculations (Doppler, coolant void, temperature feedback)
- Breeding ratio optimization and fuel management strategies
- Nuclear fuel cycle analysis (once-through, closed, hybrid)
- Nuclear safety analysis and regulatory compliance (AERB guidelines, ICRP/IAEA safety standards)
- Experience with multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) and system-level safety integration
- Familiarity with ASME NQA-1, IEEE standards, and IAEA safety reports
Qualifications & Experience
- Master’s (M.Tech/M.S.) or Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics, or a closely related field.
- 10+ years of hands-on experience in fast reactor neutronics, with specific focus on SFR systems.
- Proven track record in leading reactor core design projects and delivering neutronics analyses for licensing or regulatory review.
- Extensive experience with Monte Carlo and deterministic neutronics codes (e.g., Serpent, OpenMC, ERANOS, DIF3D).
- Direct involvement in AERB licensing support, including preparation of safety analysis reports (SARs), technical justifications, and response to regulatory queries.
- Strong communication skills to present complex technical analyses to multidisciplinary teams and regulatory bodies.
- Commitment to rigorous code validation, uncertainty quantification, and quality assurance practices.