R&D Nuclear Engineer - Computational Materials

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 an R&D Nuclear Engineer specializing in Computational Materials, you’ll serve as a senior technical authority focused on advancing high‑fidelity, multiphysics simulations that underpin the design, qualification, and optimization of nuclear fuel systems. This role integrates deep expertise in materials science, thermomechanical behavior, chemical interaction modeling, and nuclear fuel phenomena with sophisticated computational model development. The engineer will lead the creation, improvement, and application of fuel performance models within BWXT’s fuel performance code suites and other high‑fidelity simulation tools. Core responsibilities include designing robust computational workflows, developing physics‑based material models, enhancing code capabilities, and driving innovation to support next‑generation nuclear fuel concepts.

Location:

Remote or on-site at the BWXT Innovation Campus site in Lynchburg, VA. 

Your Day to Day as a R&D Nuclear Engineer - Computational Materials:

• Lead development and application of advanced multiphysics models for nuclear fuel performance, including thermal, mechanical, chemical, and irradiation-driven phenomena.
• Develop and implement constitutive models describing fuel material behavior, microstructural evolution, degradation mechanisms, and coupled thermo‑mechanical‑chemical interactions.
• Conduct high‑fidelity analyses of nuclear fuel systems under normal operating, transient, and off‑normal conditions.
• Guide verification, validation, benchmarking, and uncertainty quantification for modeling tools, with emphasis on fuel performance predictions.
• Build and refine scalable computational methodologies suitable for high‑performance computing environments.
• Collaborate with materials scientists, fuel performance engineers, and software developers to integrate modeling capabilities across simulation workflows.
• Prepare rigorous technical documentation, research reports, and contributions to regulatory, customer, and R&D deliverables.
• Mentor junior staff and provide strategic input on long‑term modeling and simulation initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Physics is required.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience is required; an advanced degree may be considered in lieu of experience.
• Demonstrated experience with multiphysics modeling, finite element analysis, or computational materials science tools.
• In depth experience and understanding of nuclear fuel materials behavior, including thermo‑mechanical response, irradiation effects, and chemical interactions.
• Proficiency in scientific programming languages and engineering computation (FORTRAN, Python, C, C++, or similar).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a history of impactful technical contributions.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) or Department of Defense (DOD) security clearance, whichever is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Thorough experience using MOOSE/BISON or similar multiphysics nuclear fuel performance codes.
• In depth experience with oxide, nitride, carbide (UO₂, UN, UC), metallic (U‑Zr, U-Pu-Zr, U‑Mo), and advanced fuel concepts (TRISO, ATF coatings, SiC cladding, composite systems).
• Direct experience developing within the MOOSE framework and customizing BISON-based applications.
• Experience leading software development projects in scientific or multiphysics environments.
• Experience with HPC environments, parallel computing, and performance optimization.
• Ability to design and execute R&D experiments or modeling campaigns to test new fuel concepts or material behaviors.
• Experience with verification, validation, sensitivity studies and uncertainty quantification method development associated with fuel qualification.

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: $99,410.00 - $157,000.00

The base salary range for this position in Virginia (US-VA) at the start of employment is expected to be between $99,410.00 and $157,000.00 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.