Fuel Handling Systems Engineer

Senior Fuel Handling System Design Engineer – Contract

Location: Bellevue, WA (Onsite – TerraPower)
Contract Length: 12 months with potential extension
Employment Type: W-2 with full benefits (health, dental, vision, life, 401k, PTO, holidays)

Thomas Thor is seeking a Senior Fuel Handling System Design Engineer to support the mechanical design of advanced fuel handling systems operating inside the reactor vessel for an next-generation nuclear project. This is a unique opportunity to work on high-performance, in-vessel mechanical systems in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced mechanical systems engineer with expertise in complex nuclear or industrial systems, regulatory compliance, and system-level integration.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the mechanical design of in-vessel fuel handling systems from concept through final design

• Develop and manage System, Structure, and Component (SSC) requirements, ensuring traceability and verification

• Apply design codes such as ASME BPVC, ANS 57.1, NML-1, NUM-1, and BTH-1 to ensure compliance and safety

• Coordinate with internal teams and suppliers to produce and review technical deliverables

• Support drawing package creation (e.g., P&IDs, interface diagrams) and review CAD models

• Originate and maintain key documentation including System Design Descriptions, Engineering Design Specs, and Interface Control Documents

• Interface with Supplier Project Engineers and perform technical oversight of vendor deliverables

• Support internal and external design reviews throughout project phases

Required Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related STEM field (M.S./Ph.D. may count for 2-4 years of experience)

• 8+ years of experience designing complex mechanical systems, structures, and components

• Prior experience in nuclear technology, especially with fuel handling systems or reactor internals, strongly preferred

• Familiarity with 2D/3D CAD tools, preferably SolidWorks

• Knowledge of ASME BPVC Section III or VIII design codes is desirable

• Strong technical writing and communication skills

• Experience working under quality standards such as ASME NQA-1 or ISO 9001 is preferred

• Proven ability to collaborate across teams, manage evolving project requirements, and deliver technical excellence independently

Why Join Us?

Be part of a transformative project shaping the future of nuclear energy. At Thomas Thor, we support impactful projects by connecting top engineering talent with innovative clients like TerraPower. You’ll work alongside world-class engineers and contribute to the development of clean, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions.

Thomas Thor is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Octavia Osborne