Senior Analytical Chemist

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. 

Senior Analytical Chemist

TerraPower, LLC is committed to delivering transformative nuclear technologies that provide safe, cost-effective, and carbon-free energy solutions, supporting global decarbonization goals. The Natrium program is a cornerstone of this effort, and we are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Analytical Chemist to join our team.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the analytical foundation of the Natrium advanced reactor program. As a member of the Natrium Central Chemistry team, you will be directly responsible for advancing the chemical understanding of Natrium systems and processes and for developing robust analytical and experimental capabilities that support the characterization and chemistry control of sodium, solar salt, fuel/material-related samples, cover gas, and other Natrium process streams.

Reporting to the Natrium Central Chemistry Discipline Senior Manager, you will serve as both a technical leader and hands-on contributor, designing experiments, developing robust analytical methodologies, setting up and operating laboratory equipment, analyzing and interpreting experimental data, and providing critical data that underpins reactor safety, materials performance, chemistry control, and operational readiness. The position requires deep technical expertise, strong experimental judgment, and a strong collaborative spirit to interface effectively with colleagues across design, operations, materials, fuel, safety, testing, and safeguards teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of robust analytical methods and procedures for Natrium sample characterization, including ICP-MS, ICP-OES, gamma spectroscopy where applicable, and other relevant techniques
• Lead and perform thermophysical and thermal characterization activities using techniques such as DSC and TGA, including experimental planning, data collection, analysis, and interpretation
• Perform and interpret thermodynamic calculations using FactSage, Thermochimica, or similar tools to support sodium, solar salt, cover gas, fuel/material, and impurity chemistry evaluations
• Design, set up, execute, and document laboratory experiments supporting Natrium chemistry, materials, and process-development needs
• Develop experimental approaches to address technical questions involving sodium, salts, cover gas, corrosion products, impurities, materials, and other Natrium-relevant systems
• Develop, generate, and review the generation and review of technical work products such as certificates of analysis/conformance, research reports, procedures, and publications
• Manage analytical scope related to measuring purity, and performing mass balance evaluations of Natrium-relevant materials and analysis of in-process samples for quality control
• Lead the development and implementation of robust chemical and analytical separation processes needed to produce high quality data from high-salt-matrix and other challenging Natrium samples
• Lead and support installation, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of Natrium analytical instruments and equipment
• Take ownership of laboratory equipment and experimental systems, including development of operating procedures, maintenance strategies, calibration requirements, and troubleshooting
• Analyze experimental data, evaluate data quality and uncertainty, identify trends and anomalies, and translate results into actionable technical conclusions and recommendations for Natrium engineering teams
• Ensure laboratory procedures are developed, maintained, and continuously improved
• Maintain high standards of organization, housekeeping, and operational effectiveness in Natrium analytical and chemistry facilities
• Ensure strict adherence to site safety, chemical safety, and, where applicable, radiation protection and regulatory guidelines, working closely with health physicists, authorized users, and the RSO as required
• Promote a culture of safety in all experimental and operational activities
• Drive continuous improvement in analytical capabilities, safety practices, and team effectiveness
• Perform other general duties associated with position as member of the Natrium Central Chemistry team to ensure ongoing effectiveness and continuous improvement of TerraPower efforts

Key Qualifications:

• Master’s or Ph.D degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, physical science, or a related technical field required; (Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience with a Master’s, or a Ph.D.)
• Experience with thermodynamic modeling using FactSage, Thermochimica, or similar software is desirable
• Hands-on experience with analytical characterization techniques such as ICP-MS, ICP-OES, gamma spectroscopy, or related elemental/isotopic analytical methods. Expertise in multiple techniques is preferred but experience with every listed technique is not required
• Hands-on experience with DSC, TGA, or other thermophysical/thermal characterization techniques is highly desirable
• Proven track record in analytical method development using relevant analytical or materials-characterization techniques
• Demonstrated experience designing, setting up, executing, and troubleshooting laboratory experiments and experimental systems including equipment installation, commissioning, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting is highly desirable
• Experience handling sodium metal or other air- or moisture-sensitive/reactive materials desired
• Experience working in gloveboxes, inert-atmosphere systems, or controlled-environment experimental systems is desirable
• Experience with chemical and radiochemical separations (e.g., column separations, liquid-liquid extractions) is desirable
• Experience with quantitative data analysis, statistical analysis, Python, chemometrics, or machine-learning approaches is desirable
• Experience with gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, gas analysis, Raman spectroscopy, or other complementary analytical techniques is a plus
• Experience supporting materials testing, corrosion studies, fuel/material compatibility studies, or high-temperature chemistry experiments is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan and execute technical work while collaborating effectively with scientists and engineers from multiple disciplines
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to convey complex technical information clearly to diverse stakeholders
• Proven ability to work collaboratively, build trust, and foster teamwork across multidisciplinary teams
• High degree of professional integrity, openness, and respect in interactions with colleagues and external partners

This position is subject to qualification requirements in accordance with ANSI/ANS 3.1. Candidates must meet the minimum education and experience criteria applicable to the role, including relevant nuclear industry experience where required. Verification of data will be part of the hiring process.

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 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 hours/day
• Travel required 0-10%

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

Salary Range: $124,115 – $161,188

Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. This range is specific to Washington State.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation
• Salary, eligible to participate in discretionary short-term incentive payments
• Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits
  • Medical
  • Vision
  • Dental
  • Life and Disability
  • Gender Affirmation Benefits
• Parental Leave
• 401k Plan
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • 21 days of annually accrued PTO
• Generous Holiday Schedule
  • 10 paid holidays
• Relocation Assistance
• Professional and Educational Support Opportunities

TerraPower Career and Benefits information:  https://www.terrapower.com/contact-us/careers/