Principal/Senior Mechanical Engineer (Fuel Assembly Design) - Remote
At Lightbridge, we’re pioneering advanced nuclear fuel technology that’s designed to make reactors safer, more efficient, and more responsive to global energy needs. Our mission is bold—and we’re looking for equally bold thinkers to help us bring it to life. If you’re inspired to apply your engineering expertise to make real-world impact, this is your opportunity to help shape the future of clean energy.
About the Role: Mechanical Engineer – Fuel Assembly Design
As a Principal or Senior Mechanical Engineer, you’ll drive CAD-based mechanical design and perform finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate mechanical performance under a range of operating and accident scenarios. Your work will directly support fuel fabrication, regulatory readiness, and the advancement of clean energy technology.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Developing Lightbridge Fuel assembly and component designs and drawings, using CAD tools, for various reactor types.
- Performing (FEA) structural analysis of the fuel assemblies and components for various conditions (transport, storage, operation, seismic, etc.) in support of fabrication, operations and licensing.
- Developing designs and drawings tooling and other components used in fabrication and transport of Lightbridge Fuel.
- Performing or assisting in performing calculations or assessments of mechanical properties relevant for fabrication of Lightbridge Fuel.
- Performing FEA simulations of Lightbridge Fuel fabrication operations to assist in development and optimization of Lightbridge Fuel fabrication processes.
- Support procurement of software, hardware, and services supporting mechanical design and analysis, as needed.
- Communicating mechanical analysis outcomes to fuel engineering team within Lightbridge.
- Performing design, calculations, and simulations, as necessary, to inform design, execution, performance, and analysis of in-pile and out-of-pile experiments and other analyses.
- Performing independent reviews of fuel performance and finite element method (FEM) simulations and analyses performed by other Lightbridge staff or partner organizations, as necessary.
- Working collaboratively with other Lightbridge staff to determine engineering approach to simulations/analyses necessary to support development and licensing of Lightbridge Fuel.
- Documenting simulations and analysis in engineering reports.
- Reporting results of selected simulations/analyses in peer-reviewed or popular publications.
- Contributing to reports to support regulatory submittals of Lightbridge Fuel.
Who You Are
- Principle Mechanical Engineer: BS in Mechanical Engineering + 14 years of relevant experience, or MS + 12 years, or PhD + 10 years of relevant experience
- Senior Mechanical Engineer: BS in Mechanical Engineering + 5 years of relevant experience, or MS + 4 years, or PhD + 3 years of relevant experience
- Proven experience in CAD modeling and simulation for nuclear fuel assemblies and components for PWR and BWR reactors
- Proficiency with codes and frameworks such as ABAQUS, ANSYS, DEFORM, SOLIDWORKS, AUTODESK
- Skilled in both implicit and explicit FEM codes; multiple frameworks is preferred
- Strong background in thermal-mechanical simulation supporting fuel design and analysis
- Working knowledge of how fuel assembly and component mechanical design impacts and is impacted by neutronics/core design, thermal hydraulics, and in-reactor fuel performance
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary and performance bonuses including cash and equity awards
- Remote work culture with potential travel
- 100% company-paid health, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k) with 100% company match
- Generous Time Off and Family Care
- Up to 32 hours per years of professional development course fees covered
Ready to help license the next generation of nuclear fuel? Join Lightbridge and be part of something extraordinary.
Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your qualifications, experience, and salary expectations to careers@ltbridge.com.
Resumes from third-party vendors will not be accepted.
About Lightbridge:
Lightbridge is developing Lightbridge Fuel™, an advanced metallic nuclear fuel for use in water-cooled reactors, including in the existing fleet of Nuclear Power Plants and in future water-cooled Small Modular Reactors.
Lightbridge Fuel consists of a metallic uranium-zirconium alloy fuel core and zirconium-alloy cladding which are co-extruded to form monolithic metallic fuel rods with a multi-lobed and helically twisted geometry. The design of Lightbridge Fuel gives it inherently superior technical performance in several key areas as compared to conventional commercial nuclear fuel, including lower fuel operating temperatures, enhanced coolability, and a more robust mechanical design. Lightbridge Fuel simultaneously offers improvements in safety, fuel performance, operational flexibility, power plant economics, and proliferation resistance.
Lightbridge has entered into two long-term framework agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance LLC, the United States Department of Energy’s operating contractor for Idaho National Laboratory, the United States' lead nuclear energy research and development laboratory. DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear program has twice awarded Lightbridge to support the development of Lightbridge Fuel over the past several years. Lightbridge is participating in two university-led studies through the DOE Nuclear Energy University Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University. An extensive worldwide patent portfolio backs Lightbridge’s innovative fuel technology.
Lightbridge Corporation is a publicly traded company headquartered in Reston, Virginia, and is included in the Russell 2000® Index and the Russell 3000® Index. For more information, please visit www.ltbridge.com.
Lightbridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
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