Modeling Simulation EngineerWho We Are: TechSource, a Salas O'Brien company and a previous DOE Small Business of the Year recipient and ten-time Inc. 5000 winner, is a nationally recognized engineering and scientific company specializing in the management and technical delivery of large-scale nuclear and high-technology projects with numerous federal agencies, helping to advance missions of national importance for government programs, national laboratories, national security facilities, nuclear operations, and complex projects nationwide. We provide direct access to hundreds of experts and industry leaders in the nuclear sciences, non-proliferation technologies, accelerator physics, and systems engineering arenas with offices in Washington DC, SC, TX, TN, and NM. Our outstanding technical service has earned the company a client retention rate of over 95 percent. As part of Salas O'Brien, we work to attract and retain the best talent because the best talent delivers the best results for our clients.
Job Summary: We are hiring a part-time Modeling Simulation Engineer to provide senior technical analysis in radiation transport, shielding analysis, and nuclear modeling and simulation. The immediate assignment supports shielding optimization for a high-energy X-ray inspection facility using an electron linear accelerator (LINAC) to inspect large aerospace components. The engineer will develop conservative bounding analyses from incomplete design information, refine computational models as equipment and facility data mature, and recommend practical shielding configurations that meet radiation-protection objectives while reducing unnecessary concrete volume, footprint, and cost. The role works directly with architects, engineers, radiation-protection specialists, clients, and regulatory stakeholders to define data needs, evaluate alternatives, document assumptions and uncertainties, and translate technical results into defensible design recommendations. The engineer may also support other accelerator, nuclear facility, national security, and advanced modeling assignments.
Responsibilities: - Lead or support advanced radiation transport, shielding, and dose analyses for accelerator, X-ray, nuclear facility, and other complex radiological applications.
- Serve as a recognized technical expert, providing practical direction and defensible solutions to unusually complex modeling, shielding, and radiation-protection challenges.
- Develop conservative bounding analyses when source-term, equipment, operating, or facility information is incomplete, and refine the analysis as design data mature.
- Construct, execute, review, and document Monte Carlo radiation transport models using MCNP, MCNPX, MCNP6, or comparable tools.
- Evaluate photon, electron, and neutron transport, including secondary particle production, activation, and other effects where applicable to the source energy and materials.
- Assess LINAC beam energy, current or power, duty cycle, workload, beam orientation, target characteristics, leakage, scatter, operating modes, and credible bounding conditions.
- Evaluate primary and secondary barriers, roofs, mazes, doors, joints, ducts, cable penetrations, and other streaming paths using facility drawings and equipment information.
- Compare conventional concrete, high-density concrete, steel, and layered or advanced shielding systems to reduce facility footprint and material volume while meeting dose objectives.
- Plan and execute shielding trade studies, sensitivity studies, and uncertainty analyses that clearly compare performance, constructability, cost, risk, and design margin.
- Apply appropriate verification, validation, peer-review, and quality-assurance practices to computational models, input data, calculations, and reported results.
- Define required client and vendor inputs, identify data gaps early, and communicate the effect of assumptions and uncertainties on recommended shielding configurations.
- Coordinate with architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, systems, safety, and radiation-protection personnel to integrate shielding recommendations into the facility design.
- Prepare calculation packages, technical memoranda, reports, presentations, and review responses suitable for clients, independent reviewers, qualified experts, and regulatory authorities.
Qualifications and Experience: - Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in nuclear engineering, physics, health physics, engineering, mathematics, or a related technical discipline with 12 to 15 years of relevant experience; or a master's degree with 10 to 13 years of relevant experience.
- Recognized expertise in radiation transport, radiation shielding, nuclear modeling and simulation, health physics, nuclear engineering, or a closely related technical area.
- Demonstrated experience developing, applying, or independently reviewing models using MCNP, MCNPX, MCNP6, or another comparable Monte Carlo radiation transport code.
- Experience producing or reviewing defensible shielding, dose, or radiation-transport calculations for accelerators, radiation-generating equipment, nuclear facilities, or comparable complex radiological systems.
- Working knowledge of photon, electron, and neutron transport; source-term development; material definitions; attenuation and scattering; radiation streaming; and dose assessment.
- Ability to independently define objectives, select appropriate analytical methods, establish conservative assumptions, and solve complex problems when information is incomplete or evolving.
- Experience with model verification and validation, sensitivity or uncertainty analysis, technical peer review, and documentation of model limitations and design margin.
- Strong technical writing, presentation, and collaboration skills, including the ability to explain complex results to multidisciplinary engineering teams, clients, and reviewers.
Preferred Qualifications: - Advanced degree in nuclear engineering, physics, health physics, or a closely related discipline.
- Direct experience with high-energy electron LINACs, industrial radiography, accelerator shielding, or X-ray inspection facility design.
- Experience optimizing shielding systems that use concrete, high-density concrete, steel, layered barriers, penetrations, or other space-efficient shielding materials and configurations.
- Familiarity with applicable NCRP, ANSI/HPS, DOE, and state radiation-protection guidance; experience supporting national laboratories, DOE/NNSA programs, national security missions, or regulatory design reviews.
Compensation & Benefits: The expected base salary range for this role will be established based on the work location and contract requirements. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement TechSource provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. TechSource will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.
Third-Party Agency Notice TechSource does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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