Shikha Kumar
Nuclear Engineer
Dallas,TX
Summary
Nuclear engineer skilled in shield design and dose consequence analysis. High proficiency in Attila4MC, SolidWorks, NX, and RSAC 7.2. Proficient in Python for automating workflows. Experience with multidisciplinary teams driving towards product development under high pressure and fast paced schedules. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy and positivity. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Shielding Nuclear Engineer
TerraPower, LLC
05.2025 - Current
- Used deterministic transport solver with Attila to determine dose in a Molten Chloride Fast Spectrum reactor reactor system
- Developed Python scripts to automate user interface with Attila that significantly reduced human errors and calculation setup time
- Trained, reviewed, and wrote reports based on quality controlled procedures
Nuclear Engineer
Radiant Industries, Inc
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Utilized Attila4MC, Cottonwood (variance reduction), MCNP 6.2, SCALE 6.2, SolidWorks, and Siemens NX, to execute iterative design and optimization process to improve reactor shield effectiveness for a High Temperature Gas Micro Reactor
- Used RSAC 7.2 and hand calculated plume models to determine dose consequences to remote workers and the public for postulated accident scenarios with calculated mechanistic source terms
- Worked with mechanical engineering and regulatory teams to design prevention and containment strategies for radiological effluent releases to meet regulatory dose limits at facility boundaries
- Leveraged Python for automating workflows that significantly reduced simulation setup time and human errors
- Coordinated heavily with interdisciplinary teams to drive product development with goal alignment and agreement on deliverables
Nuclear Engineer
NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes LLC
02.2022 - 04.2023
- Developed test procedures for radioactive material handling and inspections
- Directed diverse project teams to achieve objectives within tight schedules
- Collaborated with team to design storage solutions for radioactive materials using Solidworks and RayXpert
- Performed isotope production and decay simulations in MATLAB
Risk Engineer
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
10.2020 - 02.2022
- Reviewed license applications for compliance with technical requirements of nuclear transportation packages and storage casks
- Completed SCALE training and used it for confirmatory analysis
- Received training in PRA (probabilistic risk analysis), including FMEA (failure effects mode analysis), and assisted in integrated safety analysis (ISA) reviews
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Oregon State University
06.2019 - 07.2020
- Researched and evaluated suitable instrumentation for pebble-bed high temperature gas reactor separate effects test (SET) facility
- Collaborated with vendors to secure instrumentation aligned with SET requirements
- Prepared specification and instrument verification reports that was part of published research report
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nuclear Engineering
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 09.2017 - 06.2020
Associate of Arts - Oregon Transfer Degree
Portland Community College
Portland, OR 09.2014 - 06.2017
Skills
Attila4MC - MCNP - Cottonwood
SCALE/ORIGEN
SolidWorks - NX
Python - Matlab
RSAC 72
Relevant Experience
Determined dose consequences to the public and the collocated worker for design based accidents and postulated accident scenarios for a portable high temperature gas micro reactor. Calculated mechanistic source terms with expected radionuclide transport (diffusion) rates to coolants, system leak rates, and natural phenomena dust settling coefficients like plate out. Used Gaussian plume models to transport mechanistic source terms to relevant distances and evaluated resulting dose against regulatory and system dose limits. Worked with interdisciplinary teams to determine prevention and containment strategies based on said dose consequences.
Timeline
Shielding Nuclear Engineer
TerraPower, LLC
05.2025 - Current
Nuclear Engineer
Radiant Industries, Inc
08.2023 - 05.2024
Nuclear Engineer
NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes LLC
02.2022 - 04.2023
Risk Engineer
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
10.2020 - 02.2022
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Oregon State University
06.2019 - 07.2020
Bachelor of Science - Nuclear Engineering
Oregon State University
09.2017 - 06.2020
Associate of Arts - Oregon Transfer Degree
Portland Community College
09.2014 - 06.2017