Senior FEA Analyst – Nuclear Fuel Behavior & Operations
Aalo· Engineering
Austin, TXFull-timePosted 4mo ago
About the role
Senior FEA Analyst responsible for high-fidelity multi-physics modeling and safety evaluation of nuclear fuel assemblies and core components, bridging fuel performance engineering with regulatory safety margins to optimize fuel design and reliability.
Responsibilities
- Multi-Physics Fuel Modeling: Develop and execute high-fidelity 2D and 3D finite element models to simulate coupled thermo-mechanical behavior of fuel rods, pellets, and cladding under steady-state, transient, and accident scenarios (RIA/LOCA).
- Interface & Interaction Analysis: Evaluate Pellet-Cladding Mechanical Interactions (PCMI) and Pellet-Cladding Thermal Interactions (PCTI) with attention to stress concentrations and cladding strain.
- Microstructural Performance Integration: Simulate time- and burnup-dependent fuel phenomena (fission gas release, fuel swelling, densification, thermal conductivity degradation, cladding creep/hydriding).
- Code Application & Customization: Use and adapt nuclear fuel performance codes (BISON, FRAPCON/FRAPTRAN, ENIGMA) and commercial solvers to predict fuel life-cycle behavior.
- V&V and Quality Assurance: Lead Verification and Validation procedures for fuel performance models in compliance with ASME NQA-1 standards.
- Regulatory Technical Support: Compile and authorize technical reports and licensing topical reports to defend fuel safety margins before regulatory authorities (e.g., US NRC).
Qualifications
- Master’s or Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
Skills
Required:Finite Element ModelingPCMI/PCTI AnalysisNuclear Fuel Phenomena ModelingNuclear Codes & ToolsVerification & ValidationRegulatory Reporting
Nice to have:Scripting & Code Customization
Benefits
- Competitive salary based on technical level
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Corporate Gym Membership
Last updated Sep 10, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
About Aalo
Welcome to the dawn of a Second Atomic Age
Creating abundant and dependable clean energy to power humanity for generations.
nuclearclean energyreactorspower plants
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