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Senior/Principal Finite Element Analyst - Thermomechanical & Structural Mechanics

Aalo· Engineering
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Austin, TXfull-timePosted 3mo ago

About the role

Senior/Principal Finite Element Analyst leading thermomechanical and structural analysis for sodium-cooled reactor systems, owning high-consequence finite element analysis and providing defensible engineering decisions for nuclear-quality design and review.

Responsibilities

  • Develop, execute, and maintain finite element models for reactor components, structures, and mechanical systems subject to coupled thermal and mechanical loading
  • Perform linear and nonlinear structural analysis, thermal stress analysis, fatigue evaluation, buckling assessment, modal/dynamic analysis, and seismic response analysis
  • Evaluate high-temperature components and structures against applicable nuclear design codes and standards, including ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III
  • Use NASTRAN and other commercial solvers to analyze complex load cases, boundary conditions, interfaces, and transient operating conditions
  • Support sodium-cooled reactor design by evaluating thermal gradients, pressure loads, mechanical loads, restraint loads, seismic loads, radiation effects, startup/shutdown transients, and off-normal events
  • Collaborate with thermal-hydraulics and reactor systems teams on fluid-structure interaction problems, flow-induced vibration, thermal striping, and coupled structural response
  • Translate analysis results into clear design recommendations, safety margins, test requirements, and engineering tradeoffs
  • Prepare high-quality technical reports, calculation packages, and analysis documentation for internal design reviews, licensing support, and quality-controlled engineering work
  • Establish modeling standards, verification practices, analysis templates, and review expectations for structural and thermomechanical analysis at Aalo
  • Mentor engineers and analysts; serve as a technical authority for finite element methods, structural mechanics, and thermomechanical design evaluation

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related discipline
  • 10+ years of professional finite element analysis experience in nuclear, aerospace, energy, pressure systems, defense, or another high-consequence engineering environment
  • Deep understanding of structural mechanics, thermomechanics, heat transfer, stress analysis, and finite element methods
  • Strong experience with NASTRAN for structural, thermal, modal, dynamic, or coupled analysis
  • Experience evaluating pressure-retaining components, reactor internals, piping, support structures, heat exchangers, high-temperature equipment, or similar safety-critical hardware
  • Working knowledge of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III
  • Demonstrated ability to define load cases, boundary conditions, contacts/interfaces, mesh strategies, convergence checks, and model verification approaches
  • Strong engineering judgment and ability to determine whether analysis results are physically reasonable
  • Proven ability to write clear technical documentation and defend assumptions, methods, results, and conclusions in rigorous design reviews

Skills

Required:Finite element analysisNASTRANASME Code knowledge

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.

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