Material Engineer – Failure Analysis & Characterization

TITLE:Materials Engineer – Failure Analysis & Characterization

LOCATION:Everett, WA

TerraPower is a nuclear technology company based in Bellevue, Washington. At its core, the company is working to raise living standards globally through a more affordable, secure and environmentally friendly form of nuclear energy along with innovations in medical isotopes to improve human health. In 2006, TerraPower originated with Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who evaluated the fundamental challenges to raising living standards around the world. They recognized energy access was crucial to the health and economic well-being of communities and decided that the private sector needed to take action and create energy sources that would advance global energy deployment. TerraPower’s mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field. As a result, the company’s activities in the fields of nuclear energy and related sciences are yielding significant innovations in the safety and economics of nuclear power, hybrid energy and medical applications – all for significant human health benefits.

TerraPower is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced nuclear reactor research and development and influencing change within the nuclear power landscape and bringing forward the critical production of medical isotopes.TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, as a federal contractor, TerraPower has instituted an Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) in an effort to proactively recruit, hire, and promote women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

Materials Engineer – Failure Analysis & Characterization

TerraPower, LLC is seeking a highly motivated Materials Engineer to support the engineering efforts of the Materials Testing team. This role will work as part of a high functioning team of engineers focused on testing, characterization, and qualification of next generation material and components for sodium cooled fast reactors. You will be responsible for developing and leading the internal root cause and failure analysis swim lane including developing an understanding of liquid sodium related degradation mechanisms. This role also includes characterization in support of materials related projects and testing.

Responsibilities

• Conduct hands-on failure analysis and material characterization in a laboratory environment
• Develop and lead the failure analysis swim lane within the materials testing team
• Develop an understanding of sodium related failure mechanisms and characterization techniques
• Assist with the design, fabrication, and operation of custom and off the shelf laboratory experiments and equipment
• Act as the custodian and expert operator of laboratory equipment including developing procedures and training users to the procedures
• Perform material characterization including SEM-EDS for various materials in a laboratory environment
• Perform scientific analysis and generate test reports related to failure analysis, root cause analysis, and materials characterization
• Provide materials engineering support for the procurement of engineered components and systems
• External procurements of materials, equipment, and testing services, including authoring procurement requisitions
  
  

Key Qualifications And Skills

• Bachelor’s degree with minimum 6 years of related experience; or a Master’s degree with a minimum of 3 years of experience. A degree in Materials Science/Engineering or a related technical discipline is required
• Proficiency in root cause and failure analysis techniques and methods is required
• Proficiency in experimental techniques for materials characterization and analysis is required
• Demonstrated hands-on laboratory experience is required
• Prior experience in materials testing and characterization for nuclear research or related industrial applications is highly desired
• A thorough understanding of metallurgy including ferrous (e.g., ferritic-martensitic steels) alloys is preferred
• Lab management experience (e.g., maintaining spaces and/or equipment and training users) is preferred but not required
• Proficiency in writing and producing technical documentation including test reports
• Experience working to quality standards such as ASME NQA-1 is preferred
• Ability to work with minimum direction to solve challenging problems
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly and display respect and a desire to foster teamwork
  
  

Job Functions

Job Functions are physical actions and/or working conditions associated with the position.These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation.Information provided below is to help describe the job so that the applicant has a reasonable understanding of the job duties/expectations.An applicant's ability to perform and/or tolerate these actions and conditions will be discussed and workplace accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis following an individualized assessment of the applicant and other considerations, including but not limited to any governing safety standards.

• Motor Abilities: Sitting and standing for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands).
• Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 25 pounds.
• Repetitive work: Prolonged.
• Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work and ability to perform role in personal protective equipment.
• Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hrs./day.
  
  

TerraPower’s technology is controlled for export by various agencies of the U.S. Government.TerraPower must evaluate applicants who are foreign nationals (other than asylees, refugees, or lawful permanent residents) in accordance with U.S. Government export control requirements.To facilitate TerraPower’s export control reviews, you will be asked as part of the application process to identify whether you are a U.S. Citizen or national, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.Government export authorization approval times vary.Based on the business needs for a particular position, TerraPower may not consider a foreign national from a country if it is impracticable to obtain timely Government export approval.

Job details

Salary Range Level 10: $113,605 - $170,408

Salary Range Level 11: $125,257 - $208,762

• Typically, our employee salaries are within .90 – 1.0 of the mid-point of the posted salary bands.Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.This range is specific to Washington State.
  
  

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation
• Salary, eligible to participate in discretionary short-term incentive payments
• Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits Medical
  
  

oVision

oDental

oLife

oLife and Disability

oGender Affirmation Benefits

oParental Leave

• 401k Plan
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
  
  

o21 days of annually accrued PTO

• Generous Holiday Schedule
  
  

o10 paid holidays

• Relocation Assistance
• Professional and Educational Support Opportunities
• Flexible Work Schedule
  
  

TerraPower Career and Benefits information:https://www.terrapower.com/contact-us/careers/