Thermal Hydraulics Engineer

Job Introduction

This is where your skills play a critical role in keeping everyone safe. Working in Safety, Security & Safeguards gives you the chance to make your mark on some hugely interesting projects. NNL does work that nobody else in the sector is doing, and this means we need experts like you to make it possible, whilst keeping everyone safe. We’re committed to using nuclear science to benefit society for years to come. This means that you can build a long and successful career here whilst playing a meaningful role in delivering cleaner energy, reducing waste and keeping colleagues and the public out of harm’s way.

It is estimated that UK electricity demand is likely to double by 2050 as energy demand switches to low carbon electricity. NNL are embracing the net zero challenges and clearly understand that thermal hydraulics is crucial to safe and predictable operation of nuclear plant. Therefore, this vacancy has arisen in the Thermal and Structural Modelling team for a high calibre, motivated individual with a strong understanding of the fundamentals of Thermal Hydraulics. Also, have a keen interest in nuclear new build, Small Modular and Advanced modular Reactors and CFD modelling.

Role Responsibility

Main Responsibilities for Thermal Hydraulics Engineer: 

• Understands and delivers NNL’s EHSS&Q and Assurance Objectives.
• To deliver designated work to standards of safety, quality, cost, and time.
• Adheres to all relevant process and procedures and comply with team’s robust Quality Assurance standards.
• Motivated to develop the skills and abilities that can benefit the team and company.
• Where required support the technical leads in producing project estimates.
• Maintain good communication with internal and external customers.
• Take responsibility and be pro-active in the development of technical knowledge under guidance of technical leads.
• Work collaboratively to achieve mutually beneficial goals. 

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Criteria for Thermal Hydraulics Engineer: 

• A minimum 2.1 degree in Engineering, Maths or Physics and a strong understanding of fundamental engineering principles.
• Knowledge and application of Computational Fluid Dynamics and Thermal Hydraulics principles.
• Experience performing simulations using ANSYS, Fluent, STAR CCM+ or equivalent.
• Knowledge of programming (C++ and/or Python or other relevant codes) with some practical experience.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to interface on a technical level with client engineers and stakeholders.
• Ability to achieve SC level clearance. 

Desirable Criteria for Thermal Hydraulics Engineer: 

• Post-graduate qualification (MSc or PhD) in a relevant field is highly desirable.
• Familiarity of working with Advanced Nuclear Technologies and/or New build projects preferable.
• Familiarity with performing thermal assessments using finite element codes.
• Experience in using Thermal-hydraulics code – e.g. COBRA, RELAP and/or TRACE.
• Chartered Physicist, Engineer or Scientist or actively working towards Chartership. 
• Member of a professional institution.

About the Company

Grounded in robust science and decades of experience, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is the authoritative voice in the UK and beyond for technological development within the nuclear power sector.

Our unparalleled understanding of the science, challenges and opportunities makes us an unrivalled authority and partner in the field, providing experts, technologies, and access to cutting-edge facilities to organisations around the world.

Harnessing potential technologies and translating them into to industry-ready solutions means our pioneering approach spearheads international improvement and technological progress.

We work on projects as small as drilling a hole to analyse underground wastes with our integrated micro drilling technology, or as large as developing state-of-the-art power systems for spacecraft, based on radioactive materials

NNL has a vision for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) where NNL aims to be an inclusive workplace that attracts diverse talent through transparent and equal policies and procedures. We want you and the diverse mix of people that we employ, customers that we service and stakeholders that we influence to feel valued. We encourage a workplace culture where everyone can thrive with a sense of belonging.

Recruitment Agency Notice

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List (PSL) for the provision of recruitment services. Only agencies on our PSL may provide CVs and only when the role is released to them by our recruitment team. We will not accept unsolicited CVs from suppliers not currently on our PSL. We explicitly reserve the right to add candidate details from unsolicited CVs from non-PSL agencies into our own candidate database and to pursue/hire such candidate(s) without any obligation, financial or otherwise, to the agency concerned.

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory