Fuel Mechanical Engineer I OR Fuel Mechanical Engineer II

Fuel Mechanical Performance is part of the Nuclear Fuels Engineering Division (NFE) centralized at Duke Energy’s General Office in Charlotte. The Fuel Mechanical Performance (FMP) group is responsible for several overlapping areas of responsibility: fuel mechanical and thermal analyses, plant support of nuclear fuel related issues, and nuclear fuel fabrication/manufacturing engineering oversight and quality assurance.

This position requires highly motivated individuals to solve complex analytical problems and plant support issues. Due to the diversity of assignments within the Fuel Mechanical Performance group, a continuous learning aptitude is required along with the willingness to assume various roles to levelize resources; specifically, to learn and fill roles on the analysis and plant support sides of FMP achieving proficiency and versatility in both. This position also requires performance within a team-oriented environment that is very supplier and customer focused thus placing a premium on well-developed communication and collaboration skills.

Group Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide engineering/technical expertise and guidance in the identification, analysis and resolution of routine problems in area of fuel mechanical performance
• Assist in the accomplishment of business goals and objectives through effective planning, organizing, estimating, scheduling, and monitoring of work activities with the collaboration of higher-level employees or management
• Prepare thorough and accurate technical reports, correspondence, documentation, calculations and sketches associated with the resolution of routine technical problems
• Support the company's goals and represent the company positively and professionally
• Perform a variety of complex fuel rod mechanical analyses (rod internal pressure, fuel melt, cladding corrosion, etc.) using NRC approved methodologies
• Perform crud and corrosion risk analyses using industry standard methods, tools, and software
• Plan and support new and irradiated fuel examinations and characterization
• Review fuel design and manufacturing process changes and approve/reject
• Develop fuel and core component design specifications
• Perform core component management and lifetime analyses and tracking
• Ensure high quality, conforming, fuel and components are delivered to the plants on time, within specifications, while holding the manufacturers to the requisite rigor in processes and procedures
• Accommodate emergent work and effectively multi-task while keeping management informed and in agreement with shifting priorities
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other groups within NFE, Plant Engineering, Operations, and vendors and sub-suppliers
• Participate in technical training activities such as attending technical seminars, computer code training, group specific training classes, and industry technical/strategic meetings

Basic / Required Qualifications

The incumbent must meet the minimum ANSI requirements for this position identified within the scope of Nuclear Operating Fleet Administrative Procedure AD-LS-ALL-0011, Confirmation of Regulatory Guide 1.8 Personnel Qualifications

Note: This posting is for one open position. Dependent on relative experience, the level to which a candidate is aligned is outlined below.

Nuclear Engineer I

This is the entry level of the Engineering classification hierarchy. Employees at this entry level solve problems in engineering areas of the Fuel Mechanical group with close supervision. Incumbents are expected to develop skills, and the ability to work with greater independence as they acquire increasing knowledge of fundamental concepts, processes, and procedures.

• Bachelor of Science in Nuclear or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited program
• In lieu of degree listed above, a Master's degree in Mechanical or Nuclear Engineering with a Bachelor of Science Engineering degree in another discipline from an ABET accredited program will also be considered
• 0-2 years of engineering experience

Nuclear Engineer II Employees at this level solve problems in engineering areas of the Fuel Mechanical group with variable supervision depending on the incumbent’s demonstrated proficiency with a given task and the task complexity and risks. Incumbents have developed the skills and ability to work with greater independence as they continue acquiring increasing knowledge of fuel performance concepts, processes, and procedures.

• Bachelor of Science in Nuclear or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited program
• In lieu of degree listed above, a Master's degree in Mechanical or Nuclear Engineering with a Bachelor of Science Engineering degree in another discipline from an ABET accredited program will also be considered
• Minimum of 2 years of engineering experience
• Minimum of 1 year of nuclear experience

Desired Qualifications

• Fundamentals of Engineering Certificate and/or Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Unix and/or Linux workstation experience
• Computer programming experience (FORTRAN/Python/VBA/etc.)
• Knowledge in thermal hydraulic calculations – heat transfer, flow modeling, nuclear fuel component materials, fuel composition, etc.
• Experience in running fuel performance software tools that may be available in the academic environment
• Good written and oral communication skills

Working Conditions

• Hybrid Mobility Classification – Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees must live within a reasonable commute to their designated Duke Energy facility, not greater than 50 miles one way. Employees are expected to report to their assigned Duke Energy facility as required and directed by their manager, on average 3 full workdays per regular workweek.
• Primarily general office, secondarily plant environments
• Additional hours expected as workload dictates.
• Flexible work schedule - typically four 10-hour days, 2 in office and 2 remote
• Some travel to other Duke sites, industry sites, and industry conferences/meetings
• Occasional off-hour emergent work required
• Must live within one hour of a nuclear site
• Potential travel: 5-20%

Specific Requirements

• A selected candidate will be subject to the oversight and written approval authority of a designated qualified individual until the selected candidate becomes fully qualified – typically about 1 year depending on whether previous training can be credited
• Able to obtain nuclear site Unescorted Access/Security clearance
• This position may be required to have Emergency Response Organization (ERO) responsibilities which could