Senior FEA Analyst – Nuclear Fuel Behavior & Operations

Job description

About the role We are seeking a highly specialized Senior FEA Analyst to lead the high-fidelity computational modeling and safety evaluation of nuclear fuel assemblies and core components at Aalo. In this role, you will focus on the extreme multi-physics environment of the reactor core, analyzing thermo-mechanical fuel rod behavior, fuel-cladding evolution, and long-term degradation mechanisms. You will act as the primary technical authority bridging fuel performance engineering with rigorous regulatory safety margins, directly influencing fuel design optimization for operational reliability and accident tolerance. What you'll do Multi-Physics Fuel Modeling: Develop and execute high-fidelity 2D and 3D finite element models to simulate the coupled thermo-mechanical behavior of fuel rods, pellets, and cladding under steady-state, transient, and accident scenarios (RIA/LOCA). Interface & Interaction Analysis: Conduct detailed evaluations of Pellet-Cladding Mechanical Interactions (PCMI) and Pellet-Cladding Thermal Interactions (PCTI), capturing localized stress concentrations, mechanical locking, and cladding strain. Microstructural Performance Integration: Simulate time- and burnup-dependent fuel phenomena, including fission gas release, fuel swelling, densification, thermal conductivity degradation, and cladding creep/hydriding. Code Application & Customization: Utilize and adapt state-of-the-art nuclear fuel performance codes (e.g., BISON, FRAPCON/FRAPTRAN, ENIGMA) alongside commercial solvers to predict fuel life-cycle behavior. V&V and Quality Assurance: Lead rigorous Verification and Validation (V&V) procedures for fuel performance models in strict compliance with ASME NQA-1 quality standards. Regulatory Technical Support: Compile, review, and authorize formal technical reports and licensing topical reports to defend fuel safety margins before nuclear regulatory authorities (e.g., US NRC). Qualifications Education: Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a highly relevant engineering discipline. Experience: Minimum of 5–8+ years of experience in computational mechanics, with at least 3 years dedicated specifically to nuclear fuel performance modeling or core materials evaluation. Software & Code Expertise: Advanced proficiency with nuclear fuel burnup and performance codes (specifically BISON or FRAPCON), paired with commercial implicit solvers (Abaqus or ANSYS Mechanical). Core Competencies: Deep understanding of high-temperature material science, radiation effects on materials (swelling, creep), and fracture mechanics. Proven capability in scripting and code customization (Python, C++, or Fortran) to automate workflows and implement custom material subroutines. Familiarity working within rigid nuclear quality assurance frameworks (NQA-1). Preferred Qualifications Experience modeling advanced technology fuels, such as Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) concepts, doped UO2, silicide fuels, or liquid metal/molten salt reactor fuel elements. Active or prior U.S. DOE Q-Level or DoD Secret security clearance. Strong track record of publishing peer-reviewed research or presenting technical findings to nuclear regulatory bodies. Requirements: Based in the United States Willing to work on-site in Austin, TX What We Offer Competitive salary based on technical level Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Paid Time Off Corporate Gym Membership Candidates only. No recruiters or agencies, please. Additional Information: Aalo Atomics provides a collaborative and supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, intellectually challenging careers, and competitive compensation. Aalo Atomics is an equal opportunity employer and considers all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Persons in compliance with 10 CFR Part 810 and may not hold non-compliant foreign citizenships. Direct applicants only. No recruiters or staffing agencies, please. About Aalo Atomics Aalo Atomics is pioneering a new era in clean energy with factory-fabricated microreactors designed to deliver affordable, scalable, and reliable nuclear power. Our mission is to make nuclear energy globally accessible, starting with the Aalo-1, a 10 MWe reactor leveraging cutting-edge safety, modularity, and efficiency. Based in Austin, TX, we’re rapidly growing as we work to deploy the world’s first fleet of advanced microreactors. Join us and help revolutionize energy for a sustainable future.