Tritium Process Engineer

About Tritium Fuel Cycle (TFC) While deuterium can be extracted from seawater, tritium is a tightly controlled radioactive isotope with an extremely limited global supply. Therefore, both GID-170 and GIGA must utilise closed tritium fuel cycle infrastructure, to ensure that unburnt tritium is fully recycled back to the stellarator and not released to the environment. Meanwhile, the tritium consumed by the fusion reaction must be replenished using tritium breeding blankets (TBB). A first-of-a-kind dedicated tritium fuel cycle (TFC) facility, suitable for continuously supporting a stellarator device, must be designed, built and commissioned. It will adopt a multi-loop process architecture, each loop comprising many deeply integrated subsystems. Developing such a facility presents unique engineering challenges: the supply chain is still emerging, commercial process simulation tools lack dedicated TFC libraries, suitable off-the-shelf equipment is not always available, and some technologies have relatively low technology readiness levels (TRLs). A conceptual design is currently under development, with the project then progressing into pre-front-end engineering design (pre-FEED) in 2028, followed by front-end engineering design (FEED) and design for manufacturing phases. Completion of the overall design phase (for GID-170) must be achieved by 2032. About the role GFG is looking for several Tritium Process Engineers to join the TFC department and develop the GID-170 and GIGA TFC facilities. The roles will contribute to the continued development and optimisation of the overall fuel cycle architecture and its subsystems. Activities will include managing design requirements; developing process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), heat and mass balances (HMBs) and the Basis of Design (BoD); selecting technologies; sizing and arranging equipment; and contributing to safety-related design. The roles may also involve supporting equipment prototype development and testing with technology developers and research partners. We welcome candidates with complementary strengths in process design and process modelling and simulation, with systems engineering experience also desirable. These specialisations sit within the same engineering function, and candidates are not expected to have equal expertise across all areas. The number of appointments and balance of responsibilities will reflect the successful candidates’ experience and technical strengths. Drawing on their specialist expertise, successful candidates will work collaboratively on design development, modelling, analysis and optimisation to assess design alternatives and inform robust, well-documented design decisions. The TFC comprises a wide range of technologies and subsystems, requiring the department to manage multiple sub-projects and work packages in parallel. Each engineer will contribute across several activities and will be expected to take ownership of specific tasks or subsystems, or lead work packages, depending on their experience. The roles will involve close collaboration with engineers from the same and other disciplines at national and international partner organisations, research institutions and suppliers, as well as with colleagues across disciplines and departments within GFG. Given the specific challenges associated with tritium, close collaboration with Nuclear Safety and Export Control specialists will also be essential. During conceptual design, successful candidates will work closely with the Head of Tritium Fuel Cycle to address the strong interdependencies between subsystems and develop a coherent, integrated design. As the project moves into pre-FEED, they will be expected to take greater day-to-day ownership of their assigned areas and drive design development through pre-FEED and FEED, while maintaining close coordination across subsystem interfaces. As the project progresses, the roles will evolve to support design for manufacture, procurement and commissioning of the GID-170 TFC systems, followed by further development and refinement of the TFC design for GIGA. Main responsibilities Process definition and systems engineering Identify, define and manage system requirements and interfaces across TFC subsystems and the overall plant architecture. Develop and optimise the fuel cycle architecture, assessing alternative subsystem technologies, their respective advantages and disadvantages, technology readiness levels (TRLs), and potential system configurations. Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs) for individual TFC subsystem blocks and the overall plant architecture. Participate in the development of piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), identification and sizing of key components, and equipment layout. Develop and maintain representative heat and mass balances to support process definition, system integration and design decisions. Process modelling and simulation Develop, apply and improve process simulation models for individual TFC subsystem blocks and the overall plant architecture, using tools such as Aspen Plus, Aspen Custom Modeler, Python and dedicated proprietary software, as appropriate. Support the development and integration of custom models and, where appropriate, contribute to the development of dedicated simulation tools. Use modelling and simulation to assess system performance, compare technology options and operating configurations, support component sizing, and inform process optimisation and design decisions. Documentation of assumptions, uncertainty and applicability limits, and perform model validation when suitable data becomes available. Work collaboratively with internal and external modelling specialists to ensure consistency between simulation results, engineering requirements and the evolving plant design. Cost, safety and risk management Identify and manage design risks, developing effective risk-reduction strategies and action plans. Identify applicable standards, regulations and codes, and ensure that these are considered throughout the design process. Participate in hazard, safety and accident analyses, including hazard identification (HAZID) and hazard and operability (HAZOP) studies, and contribute to the definition of safety functions and development of the safety case. Contribute to capital and operational expenditure (CAPEX/OPEX) estimates. Design development and delivery Develop design documentation and specifications, including contributions to the Basis of Design and design philosophies. Document design studies, verification and assessment activities, engineering assumptions and design decisions. Support the design development, procurement and testing of prototypes for key components, in collaboration with technology developers, suppliers and research partners. Provide engineering support for R&D activities conducted in-house and with external partners and collaborators. Project coordination and collaboration Lead specific technical tasks or work packages assigned by the Head of TFC, in line with experience and expertise. Take ownership of specific subsystems throughout the pre-FEED and FEED studies, as assigned by the Head of TFC, in line with experience and expertise. Participate in technical meetings with partners, suppliers, research institutions and other collaborators. Collaborate closely with other engineering disciplines and contribute to the integration of TFC systems within the wider fusion plant. As required, undertake other relevant duties in support of project objectives. GID-170 delivery (in the 2030s) Support the procurement and installation activities of the GID-170 TFC facilities. Develop commissioning plans and operating instructions. The balance between process design, systems engineering, and process modelling and simulation will depend on each candidate’s background and area of expertise. All engineers are expected to work collaboratively across these areas, ensuring that modelling activities inform engineering decisions and that process design is supported by robust analysis. Qualification and educational requirements Required qualifications: Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in chemical engineering, process engineering, nuclear engineering, or a closely related discipline*. *In the case of a closely related discipline, the degree should be supported by relevant chemical engineering experience. Additional desirable qualifications relevant to process modelling and simulation : A PhD or EngD in Chemical or Process Engineering or a closely related field. Competences and preferred skills 1. Common skills Essential All applicants should demonstrate: In-depth knowledge of chemical engineering principles, including thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, process dynamics, and relevant transport phenomena. Experience in the development of industrial-scale process engineering installations in complex environments requiring regulatory approval (ideally nuclear projects or similar). Experience in the development of processes involving different fluids and conditions (cryogenic, vacuum, atmospheric pressure gas, high-pressure gas (up to 100 bara), liquid, etc.). Experience in the design and development of integrated treatment unit operations (purification, separation, conditioning, etc.), ideally in the gas phase, and in the hydrogen or nuclear sectors. Proficiency in at least one established process simulation tool, such as Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, UniSim, gPROMS, ProMax, CHEMCAD or equivalent. Experience in requirements capture, documentation and management. Experience working alongside multiple other engineering disciplines, such as mechanical, electrical, control, thermal and nuclear engineers. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams of engineers, technologists and physicists. A proactive and self-motivated approach, with strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills. Professional working proficiency in English. Desirable All applicants would benefit from demonstrating: Knowledge of tritium fuel cycle technologies and/or hydrogen isotope separation. Hands-on experience working with tritium would be an advantage. Experience with the design or analysis of pumping technologies, heat exchangers or other key process equipment. Familiarity with magnetic fusion systems and/or nuclear power plant systems. Familiarity with environmental, nuclear safety and other relevant regulatory requirements. Knowledge of systems engineering and an understanding of configuration management and risk management. Understanding of equipment qualification, manufacture, testing, inspection and pragmatic usability. Knowledge of German or other European languages. 2. Specialist Skills Candidates are expected to demonstrate strengths in one or more of the following areas, depending on their background and specialisation. Process design and systems engineering Experience in developing process architectures, heat and mass balances, PFDs and P&IDs, and in supporting equipment selection, sizing and integration. Experience in developing Basis of Design (BoD) documentation, design philosophies, specifications, design descriptions and justifications. Ability to assess alternative process technologies and configurations, considering performance, safety, technical maturity and operational requirements. Experience in translating system requirements and process analysis into engineering specifications and design decisions. Familiarity with process safety codes, standards and regulations, as well as safety-by-design principles, including the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) approach. Experience in engaging with potential technology suppliers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Process modelling and simulation Proficiency in process modelling tools such as Aspen Custom Modeler, gPROMS custom modelling or equivalent. Proficiency in at least one programming or scientific computing language, such as Python, Julia, MATLAB, Octave or C++. Strong understanding of numerical methods applied to chemical engineering, including ordinary and partial differential equations (ODEs and PDEs), differential-algebraic equations (DAEs), discretisation techniques and numerical convergence. Knowledge of numerical optimisation methods and their implementation, with the ability to apply them to process analysis and design optimisation. Experience developing custom process models, integrating subsystem models or analysing dynamic process behaviour, along with model automation and analysis, to assess system performance, compare design options and support process optimisation is an advantage. We are recruiting engineers with complementary technical strengths. Applicants who meet the common essential criteria and have relevant capability in one specialist profile are encouraged to apply; experience in every technology or software package listed is not expected. The balance of responsibilities and the level of technical ownership will be agreed according to each successful candidate’s experience and the needs of the programme, with opportunities for candidates to grow and develop into greater technical ownership.