Nuclear Engineering Data Scientist
Lynchburg, VA, US
At BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), we are People Strong, Innovation Driven. A U.S.-based company, BWXT is a Fortune 1000 and Defense News Top 100 manufacturing and engineering innovator that provides safe and effective nuclear solutions for global security, clean energy, environmental restoration, nuclear medicine and space exploration. With more than 7,800 employees, BWXT has 14 major operating sites in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers. Our company supplies precision manufactured components, services and fuel for the commercial nuclear power industry across four continents. Our joint ventures provide environmental restoration and operations management at a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities. BWXT’s technology is driving advances in medical radioisotope production in North America and microreactors for various defense and space applications. For more information, visit www.bwxt.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.
Welcome to BWXT
We believe in empowering our employees and cultivating a dynamic workplace that fosters growth and collaboration. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting your career, you'll find opportunities to challenge yourself, learn from seasoned experts, and contribute to nuclear innovation. We required a diverse range of skills to support our work in the markets that drive our business and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and life stages who are passionate about making a difference.
BWXT is People Strong, Innovation Driven - be part of BWXT’s innovation hub. BWXT’s Advanced Technologies (AT) group researches, designs, and develops innovative new nuclear reactors, nuclear rocket propulsion systems, and radioisotope production systems for both internal and external customers.
If you are looking for a career where your experience is valued, innovative thinking is fostered, and barrier-free teamwork is embraced every day, then this opportunity is for you.
Position Overview:
As our Nuclear Engineering Data Scientist, you will leverage advanced machine learning techniques, hybrid modeling approaches, and uncertainty quantification to tackle complex problems in nuclear engineering and related domains. This role is perfect for someone with a strong research background, experience in integrating machine learning models into engineering workflows, and a passion for applying cutting-edge AI technologies to real-world challenges in the nuclear industry.
Location:
This position is based on-site in Lynchburg, VA at the Advanced Technologies Office.
Your Day to Day as a Nuclear Engineering Data Scientist:
- Develop and deploy machine learning models, including deep neural networks (DNNs), convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and Bayesian neural networks (BNNs), to solve nuclear engineering problems.
- Design hybrid modeling frameworks that combine physics-based and data-driven approaches for applications such as critical heat flux prediction and reactor physics simulations.
- Implement uncertainty quantification techniques, such as ensembling and Bayesian methods, to ensure robust and reliable predictions in nuclear systems.
- Optimize nuclear engineering processes using advanced AI methodologies, including transfer learning and generative models.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate ML models into existing nuclear engineering tools.
- Lead efforts in data augmentation, synthetic data generation, and domain adaptation to enhance model performance in data-scarce scenarios.
Required Qualifications:
- A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, with a strong focus on machine learning and artificial intelligence.
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- A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience is required.
- Must have proven expertise in deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch.
- Must be proficient in programming languages and tools, including Python, C++, and MATLAB.
- Must have experience with nuclear codes such as MCNP, Serpent, OpenMC, and CTF.
- Must have demonstrated ability to develop and validate hybrid modeling techniques in nuclear engineering contexts.
- Must be familiar with uncertainty quantification methods and transfer learning techniques.
- Must have strong publication record in reputable journals and conferences, showcasing contributions to AI and nuclear engineering.
- Must be excellent communication skills and ability to present complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
Preferred Qualifications:
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- Ph.D. or M.Sc. in Nuclear Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field is highly desired.
- Strong publication record in reputable journals and conferences, showcasing contributions to AI and nuclear engineering is highly desired.
- Experience integrating machine learning capabilities into established nuclear engineering workflows.
- Knowledge of optimization methods and their applications in reactor design and fuel cycle analysis.
- Familiarity with generative models, such as conditional variational autoencoders (CVAE), for synthetic data generation.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary and benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans.
- Flexible work schedules and paid time off to promote a healthy work-life balance.
- Professional development opportunities, including mentorship programs and sponsorship for continuing education.
- An inclusive atmosphere that celebrates new perspectives and supports collaboration between different generations.
- The chance to be part of a mission-driven organization making a positive impact on the future of energy.
- Opportunities for continuous learning and training to grow throughout your career!
Pay: $86,000.00 - $136,000.00
The base salary range for this position in Virginia (US-VA) at the start of employment is expected to be between $86,000.00 and $136,000.00 per year. However, the base salary offered is based on local job market factors, and may vary further depending on factors specific to the selected job candidate, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to these considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as an annual cash incentive in addition to a full range of medical, retirement, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided at such time the selected job candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, the selected job candidate will be employed 'at-will,’ unless employed at a location and in a position subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The company further reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment, compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and other market factors.
As a federal government contractor, BWX Technologies, Inc. and any subsidiaries, affiliates and related entities (“BWXT” or the “Company”) complies with all federal, state, and local laws and customer requirements regarding health and safety protocols. As such, all BWXT new hires will be required to adhere to applicable Company health and safety requirements within the workplace as a condition of employment.
All candidates must be U.S. citizens. Selected applicants are required to successfully complete a pre-employment check and drug screening. In addition, the position may require the ability to obtain and maintain applicable federal eligibility requirements for access to classified/sensitive information or matter which involves an extensive criminal and financial background investigation, drug test, previous employment, and reference verifications.
BWXT is committed to the concept of Equal Employment Opportunity. We have established procedures to ensure that all personnel actions such as recruitment, compensation, career development, benefits, company-sponsored training and social recreational programs are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, protected veteran or other protected status.
BWX Technologies, Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (BWXT) is not responsible for and does not accept any liability for fees or other costs associated with resumes or candidates presented by recruiters or employment agencies, unless a binding, written recruitment agreement between BWXT and the recruiter or agency exists prior to the presentation of candidates or resumes to BWXT and includes the specific services, job openings, and fees to be paid (“Agreement”). BWXT may consider any candidate for whom a recruiter or agency has submitted an unsolicited resume and explicitly reserves the right to hire such candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency unless an Agreement is in place prior to presentation and such Agreement explicitly encompasses the job opening for which such fees or costs are sought. An email, verbal or other informal contact with any person within BWXT will not create a binding agreement. Agencies or recruiters without an Agreement are directed not to contact any hiring managers of BWXT with recruiting inquiries or resumes. Recruiters and agencies interested in partnering with BWXT may contact BWXT’s Talent Acquisition team at talent_acquisition@bwxt.com.
Nearest Major Market: Lynchburg
Nearest Secondary Market: Virginia
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Nuclear Physics, Nuclear, Nuclear Engineering, Recruiting, Research Scientist, Science, Energy, Engineering, Human Resources