Nuclear Fuel Analyst

• Fuel Performance Lead
• We anticipate offering a salary between £48,000 – £63,000
• Warrington OR Derby OR Manchester – Hybrid working options available

We are Rolls-Royce SMR and we’re doing something that’s never been done before. We’re revolutionising an industry. That’s a once-in-a-career opportunity for those excited by such a challenge. This is more than just a job; this is a legacy.

We are now recruiting for the exciting role of Fuel Performance Lead to be involved in an industry leading, cutting-edge project for a new type of power station.

Job Purpose:

The Performance Lead will be responsible for, developing fuel performance criteria for RR SMR; PCI limits, Fission gas pressure, FIV and other fuel related limits including Fault analysis (eg RAPFE, PCMI, LOCA fuel integrity). The Performance Lead will have knowledge of Fuel mechanical design including, FA structure, top and bottom nozzle, mixing grids, RCCAs. The applicant will work closely with the core analysis teams, predominantly using the results of core and fuel performance analysis to inform and develop the Fuel design. You will ensure that the tools and methods used are fit for purpose and sufficiently validated for use in their domain. You will support regulator engagement, enabling the demonstration that safety targets are met.

Key Results & What Can Be Achieved in The Role:

• Responsible for the development of Fuel Performance analysis during normal and faulted conditions to support the substantiation of a nuclear power station design that meet all SMR project requirements.
• Apply technical expertise to direct the Fuel Performance analysis programme
• Apply rigorous quality assurance processes consistent with nuclear industry requirements to the development of analysis methodologies, models and tools. Establish verification, validation and uncertainty quantification requirements.
• Technically represent SMR in interactions with ONR for assigned areas of responsibility, and lead in some areas the ongoing licensing process including coordination of responses to RQs/Ros.
• Develop robust work plans to ensure on time delivery, cost and quality is achieved for all project deliverables. Provide guidance to the overall Fuel and Core program
• Understand the nature of the risks applicable to Fuel performance analysis and make decisions in accordance with this understanding and the programme risk profile. Clearly articulate the risks and manage as appropriate with the Core Design Management Team.
• Ensure that quality is maintained throughout the SMR project lifecycle by progressing through appropriate technical reviews and providing the required inputs to the main project technical review gates.
• Manage interfaces with other technical functions on the SMR project (for example Power Station Design and Operations, Performance Analysis) to ensure that a coherent technical solution is achieved.
• Work with due regard to Health, Safety and Environment. Comply with corporate, business and legislative requirements. Champion company values, including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The Key Selection Criteria:

Criteria 1: Fuel performance Analysis Methods:

• Experience of using numerical tools and software, ideally in Fuel performance applications. Experience in performing Fuel performance analysis and Knowledge of the Fuel performance fundamentals.
• Knowledge of Fuel Cladding related phenomena, including: Clad stress analysis, materials and chemical interactions eg hydriding, under cooling related effects, Irradiation effects and Creep induced collapse.
• Knowledge of Fuel Pellet related phenomena, dimension stability, chemical behaviour, Fission gas release and thermal and irradiation stability, Pellet densification and irradiation effects.
• Knowledge of Fuel rod related phenomena, Pellet and Clad temperature profiles, Pellet Clad Interaction (PCI), power cycling and fatigue and fuel duty assessments.
• Knowledge of Fuel mechanical design including, Fuel Pins, Fuel assembly structure, top and bottom nozzle, mixing grids, RCCAs, Rod and Assembly bow, Vibration, wear and Fretting.

Criteria 2: Nuclear Safety Analysis and Safety Cases:

• Experience of Design basis fault assessment methods and UK Safety Case and Regulatory practises

Criteria 3: Nuclear industry domain knowledge including:

• Experience of dealing with Fuel Vendors. Understanding of Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) design, plant and behaviour including Fault/Accident systems, phenomena and chemistry.
• Environmental, Safety, Security and Safeguarding (E3S) regulations and principals (including application of As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) and Best Available Technique (BAT) principals).

Criteria 4: Technical task delivery, including:

• Definition of a project/programme of work. Delivery of programme milestones in line with agreed plans and budgets.
• Experience of Management of complex risks. Monitoring of progress and project management. Technical writing and communication.

Qualifications and Training:

• Qualified to degree level or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer/Physicist with design experience including responsibility for technically leading complex thermal hydraulic analysis programmes.
• Experience delivering severe accident consequence analysis for a nuclear site.
• Sound knowledge of nuclear reactor systems design, operations, etc. including sound knowledge of relevant design codes, including systems engineering.
• Experience in the interpretation of customer specifications and defining and managing engineering requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively with any audience, quickly establishing credibility and buy-in.

Pay and Benefits

We anticipate paying a salary of between £48,000 – £63,000 plus:-

• Bonus – Performance related bonus of up to 12.5%
• Benefits Allowance – £2200, enabling you to create a bespoke package
• Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
• Holidays – 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) and the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover health care
• Life Assurance – 6x pensionable pay
• £250 – One-off payment for new starters for home office purchases

We are Rolls-Royce SMR

Each Rolls-Royce SMR power station will have the capacity to generate 470MW of low carbon energy, equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes. It will provide consistent baseload generation for at least 60 years, helping to support the roll out of renewable generation and overcome intermittency issues.

Our Application Process:

The recruitment process for this vacancy is being handled by Advanced Resource Managers, an official recruitment partner to Rolls Royce SMR.

RR SMR have a 2-stage interview process and they can be online or in-person. Please do let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made.

Our Screening Process

Due to the safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to participate in following additional screening:-

• Obtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance
• Satisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check