Principal Nuclear Fuel Mechanical Design Engineer

Job purpose

Lead core and fuel design and activities across BNPP units, implementing established methodologies and contributing to the development of alternative solutions to support alignment with core safety requirements, design standards, and plant operational needs.

Key activities, responsibility & accountability

Lead core design and reload analysis activities

Responsibilities and accountabilities:

• Lead and oversee calculations and assessments to support Barakah NPP fleet activities in accordance with ENEC procedures, industry standards, and FANR regulations.
• Lead the preparation, review, and updates of FSAR chapters (including chapters 4, 6, and 15), technical specifications, and licensing documents.
• Lead the development of design methodology, calculations, and licensing documents to be used for establishing ENEC capabilities. These may include first-of-a-kind activities.

Lead product performance and change evaluation

Responsibilities and accountabilities:

• Oversee the incorporation of fuel and design changes to ensure safe and flexible operation.
• Lead plant operation requests from ENEC operations, assisting in the resolution of fuel performance issues, transient scenarios, and first-of-a-kind (FOAK) operational challenges under the guidance of experienced engineers.
• Lead and review investigations, assessments, evaluations of fuel failure conditions, post-irradiation and poolside examinations to ensure safe operation and proper stakeholder management. This may include FOAK issues.

Lead strategic projects

Responsibilities and accountabilities:

• Lead and support strategic projects that advance department objectives, ensuring alignment with operational, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide support in projects related to fuel design evolution, qualification of new fuel vendors, and integration of advanced methodologies.
• Lead initiatives aimed at developing vendor-independent design capabilities to support the UAE’s long-term nuclear self-sufficiency goals.
• Lead discussions with internal and external stakeholders to ensure project outcomes are delivered with high quality, on schedule, and aligned with strategic priorities.

Lead stakeholder communication and knowledge sharing

Responsibilities and accountabilities:

• Lead stakeholder engagement efforts, representing the organization in high-level technical discussions and conferences.
• Communicate complex engineering concepts clearly to diverse audiences, including non-technical stakeholders.
• Drive knowledge transfer strategies to build internal capabilities and ensure consistent performance across the team.
• Provide structured mentorship and support the development of training programs, including on-the-job training (OJT).

Professional certifications

Qualifications

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in nuclear or mechanical engineering.
• Preferred: Master’s degree in nuclear or mechanical engineering.

Experience

• Minimum: 6 to 7 years of relevant experience.
• Preferred: 8+ years of relevant experience.