TITLE:             Mechanical Design Intern

LOCATION:    Bellevue, WA, USA

TerraPower is a nuclear technology company based in Bellevue, Washington. At its core, the company is working to raise living standards globally through a more affordable, secure and environmentally friendly form of nuclear energy along with innovations in medical isotopes to improve human health. In 2006, TerraPower originated with Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who evaluated the fundamental challenges to raising living standards around the world. They recognized energy access was crucial to the health and economic well-being of communities and decided that the private sector needed to take action and create energy sources that would advance global energy deployment. TerraPower’s mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field. As a result, the company’s activities in the fields of nuclear energy and related sciences are yielding significant innovations in the safety and economics of nuclear power, hybrid energy and medical applications – all for significant human health benefits.

TerraPower is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced nuclear reactor research and development and influencing change within the nuclear power landscape and bringing forward the critical production of medical isotopes.  TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, as a federal contractor, TerraPower has instituted an Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) in an effort to proactively recruit, hire, and promote women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

Mechanical Design Intern

Project Title

On the Structural Integrity Assessment of Cladded Components

Project Description

In Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) operating at elevated temperatures, ensuring corrosion resistance presents one of the most significant challenges, compounded by additional issues such as irradiation-induced embrittlement, reductions in material strength, and complexities related to mass transfer within the molten salt medium. To address the challenges, the use of corrosion-resistant cladding layer provides an immediately viable approach. While the current ASME standards offer established analysis procedures for monolithic components subjected to elevated temperatures, methods for creep-fatigue lifing in cladded components remain under development and are not yet incorporated within Section III, Division 5 of the ASME Code.

In view of the above, this project proposes to develop an analytical methodology aligned with the ASME’s existing elastic analysis framework for monolithic components, tailored to assess the performance of a basic cladded structure. This study aims to identify critical gaps and limitations within the existing methodologies in published literature. Additionally, the results will provide a foundational basis for developing a Code Case proposal to incorporate cladded component analysis within the ASME Code, advancing material options and safety protocols for high-temperature reactor applications.

Responsibilities

•         Perform a literature survey for existing methodologies on creep-fatigue assessment for cladded components.

•         Learn and apply current ASME Section III, Division 5 provisions, particularly on high-temperature monolithic component analysis.

•         Perform mechanical analyses using finite element method with commercial codes such as ANSYS/ ABAQUS. This includes the development of the cladded component model, material selection, and loading application.

•         Conduct post-processing analyses to evaluate creep and fatigue behavior under defined loading conditions.

•         Validate results against available experimental or benchmark data if available.

•         Outline requirements and challenges for developing a Code Case for cladded components.

•         Document the results in a technical report or paper.

Key Qualifications and Skills

•         The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly and display respect and a desire to foster teamwork.

•         Currently enrolled in senior standing in an undergraduate program or graduate students with the focus on Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or other related disciplines.

•         Academic proficiency with finite element stress analysis, mechanical analysis methods and commercial mechanical stress analysis modeling tools preferably with ANSYS and/or ABAQUS Standard.

•         Academic proficiency with computer code development and knowledgeable in modern programming tools on personal computers and code development such as Fortran / APDL / Python.

•         Experience or course work in mechanics of materials, and/or finite element analysis a plus.

•         Knowledge of optimization algorithm and tools is an advantage.

•         Strong analytical / problem solving skills, creative thinker.

•         Excellent verbal and communication.

•         Ability to contribute on a multi-disciplinary team with demonstrated results.

Job Functions

Job Functions are physical actions and/or working conditions associated with the position.  These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation.  Information provided below is to help describe the job so that the applicant has a reasonable understanding of the job duties/expectations.  An applicant's ability to perform and/or tolerate these actions and conditions will be discussed and workplace accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis following an individualized assessment of the applicant and other considerations, including but not limited to any governing safety standards.

•         Motor Abilities: Sitting and/or standing for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands)

•         Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 25 pounds

•         Repetitive work: Prolonged

•         Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work

•         Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hrs./day

•         Travel required: 0-5%

TerraPower’s technology is controlled for export by various agencies of the U.S. Government.  TerraPower must evaluate applicants who are foreign nationals (other than asylees, refugees, or lawful permanent residents) in accordance with U.S. Government export control requirements.  To facilitate TerraPower’s export control reviews, you will be asked as part of the application process to identify whether you are a U.S. Citizen or national, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.  Government export authorization approval times vary.  Based on the business needs for a particular position, TerraPower may not consider a foreign national from a country if it is impracticable to obtain timely Government export approval.  

Job details

Hourly rate range*

Undergrad: $21.80 - $28.55

Graduate: $38.93 - $42.04

Job Type:  Intern

Benefits:

•         Competitive Compensation

•         Hourly pay rate

•         Weekly stipend for out of area Interns

•         Weekly commuter stipend for local area Interns

•         Paid Time Off (PTO)

•         Interns accrue 1 hour of PTO for every 40 hours worked

•         Holiday Schedule

•         Paid holidays commensurate with Internship period and TerraPower Holiday Schedule

•         Relocation Assistance for out of area Interns

•         **Intern pay rate will be commensurate with degree path and academic year completed at start of Internship.

Please visit www.terrapower.com to apply