Nuclear Fuels Specialist

Nuclear Fuels Specialist (PMC – EPC Oversight Role)

 
Role Overview

 
As part of a Project Management Consultancy (PMC) team, the Nuclear Fuels Specialist serves as the subject matter authority for all aspects of nuclear fuel cycle engineering within the bid/tender evaluation, design review, and execution oversight of EPC contractors.


The role ensures that EPC bidders deliver safe, compliant, technically robust, and lifecycle‑optimized nuclear fuel solutions aligned with project requirements, regulatory standards, and long‑term fuel management strategies.


Key Responsibilities (PMC‑Focused)

Technical Oversight of EPC Fuel Cycle Proposals

• Review, challenge, and validate EPC contractor designs, methodologies, and assumptions across the full nuclear fuel cycle.
• Ensure proposed fuel strategies meet owner’s requirements, safety objectives, lifecycle cost targets, and regulatory expectations.

Reactor Core Design & Fuel Strategy Assessment

• Evaluate EPC bidders’ core design models, fuel loading patterns, burnup strategies, and reactivity management approaches.
• Assess proposed control rod strategies, cycle length assumptions, and energy output predictions for technical robustness.

 
Compliance, Licensing & Regulatory Assurance

• Confirm EPC contractor deliverables meet national and international nuclear standards and regulatory frameworks.
• Support the owner/operator during licensing submissions and regulatory reviews by providing expert technical input on fuel‑related topics.

Performance, Safety & Risk Assessment

• Conduct independent assessments of predicted in‑core fuel behavior, cladding performance, thermal margins, and irradiation effects.
• Evaluate the integrity and safety margins of fuel design choices under normal, transient, and accident conditions.

 
Refueling & Fuel Handling Strategy Review

• Review EPC proposals for refueling systems, fuel handling procedures, outage logistics, and sequence strategies.
• Ensure that safety, operability, and maintainability requirements are appropriately addressed.

Spent Fuel & Waste Management Oversight

• Assess EPC contractor plans for spent fuel storage, transport logistics, and long‑term waste management solutions.
• Verify compliance with regulatory expectations and ALARA principles.

Technical Activities (PMC Context)

• Design Review & Verification: Perform detailed reviews of EPC technical documents, safety cases, analytical models, and fuel cycle reports.
• Independent Modelling & Analysis: Conduct simplified simulations or independent checks to validate contractor assumptions.
• Technical Risk Identification: Highlight fuel‑related risks, uncertainties, and interfaces affecting schedule, cost, or licensing.
• Documentation & Evaluation: Develop evaluation reports, scoring matrices, and technical clarifications for tender processes.
• Interface Coordination: Collaborate with reactor physics, safety, operations, and waste management SMEs across the PMC team.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Education: Master’s or PhD in Nuclear Engineering, Reactor Physics, Materials Science, or related field.
• Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of reactor physics, fuel behavior, irradiation effects, and nuclear materials performance.
• Regulatory Awareness: Familiarity with nuclear licensing requirements (e.g., ONR, NRC, IAEA standards).
• Analytical Ability: Experience reviewing or developing core models, fuel performance simulations, and safety evaluations.
• Communication & Reporting: Ability to produce high‑quality technical assessments and engage effectively with EPC bidders, regulators, and internal stakeholders.
• Oversight Mindset: Skilled at identifying gaps, risks, and areas for improvement in external contractor deliverables.

Work Environment (PMC Perspective)

• Office / Remote Analysis: Reviewing EPC tender documentation, technical submissions, and modelling reports.
• Client / Stakeholder Meetings: Participating in design review workshops, clarification meetings, and regulatory interfaces.
• Site Visits: Occasional visits to EPC facilities, fuel fabrication suppliers, or nuclear plant sites for inspections or audits.

The NRL Group connect global companies with the right people to bring engineering projects to life. Supporting contracting companies with energy transition plans and working with our clients to create a cleaner, greener future.
 
We welcome applications from every walk of life and are committed to diversity within the industries we support, as a certified Inclusive Recruiter and Armed Forces friendly employer. You can ensure you stay safe when job searching online by visiting the JobsAware website.