Deploy the next generation of energy infrastructure with Applied Atomics 

Applied Atomics delivers firm, clean electricity with proven technology. We design, build, and operate nuclear plants directly alongside the facilities they power. With no reactor science or new fuel to invent, we have no reason to stall. We are the first fully integrated nuclear power provider built to deploy now. Founded by a team of engineers and operators who built the launch sites, test complexes, and factories behind SpaceX, designed and commercialized nuclear reactors, and ran billion-dollar asset portfolios, the team is now focused on clean power deployment. Applied Atomics is backed by Alpaca VC, Transition, and Morpheus Ventures.

About the role:

Applied Atomics is seeking an Infrastructure Engineer to lead and execute the civil, structural, and site development engineering required for our first-of-a-kind (FOAK) nuclear power plant, as well as for new comp any facilities including our HQ, factory, integration areas, and test sites.  

This role is responsible for the engineering strategy, design oversight, and technical execution of all ground, site, civil, and structural infrastructure needed to build and operate our plant. You will work across the entire company, from nuclear engineering to balance-of-plant to high-voltage systems to the construction team, to develop infrastructure that is safe, constructible, cost-effective, and built for rapid deployment. This role is ideal for engineers with deep experience designing and delivering large-scale, heavy industrial infrastructure, including those from aerospace, energy, oil & gas, amusement parks, mining, chemical plants, and large EPC environments. 

Why we need you

We are transitioning nuclear energy from a theoretical science into a practical reality, and that requires practical problem-solvers. We need engineers who are eager to take direct responsibility for their work and see it through to completion. Your role will be critical in transforming complex designs into safe, reliable, and operational power plants that will operate for decades to come. 

What you will do

Key Responsibilities 

• Develop, own, and drive overall site engineering & build strategy for all major infrastructure systems, including:  
  • Nuclear island & containment structures. 
  • Turbine island & BOP support structures. 
  • Air-cooled condenser (ACC) yard. 
  • High-voltage yard and switchyard interfaces. 
  • Site-wide drainage, grading, water systems, and utilities. 
  • Tank farms, equipment foundations, and mechanical rooms.  
  • Access roads, laydown areas, and construction staging. 
• Translate plant architecture, equipment loads and operating requirements into civil and structural engineering solutions.  
• Coordinate closely with nuclear engineering, BOP engineering, high-power, I&C, systems engineering, and construction management.  
• Develop, own, and maintain scope development, build sequence strategy, schedule planning, and budget across plant, HQ, factory, and test site infrastructure and concisely communicate site status with executive leadership.  
• Develop and maintain interface requirements and performance requirements for heavy civil structures in coordination with construction management, civil, nuclear and balance-of-plant (BOP) engineering, high-power, and instrumentation & control. 
• Provide oversight and direction for all civil-structural design work, including:  
  • Deep foundations, piles, caissons. 
  • Reinforced concrete structures. 
  • Structural steel design. 
  • Earthwork, mass excavation, dewatering, stabilization.  
  • Seismic design considerations (nuclear or high-performance structures). 
• Continuously maintain and improve the design configuration and physical configuration of infrastructure throughout ongoing operations and maintenance.  
• Develop system schedules, budgets, and resource plans with company leadership.  
• Manage external engineering contractors or design partners as needed. 
• Apply and enforce relevant engineering standards (ASCE, IBC, AISC, ACI, AWS, NFPA, ASTM, ASME, etc.). 
• Support seismic, wind, flood, and extreme load analysis requirements per regulatory and industrial codes.  
• Develop civil/structural analysis models using ETABS, SAP2000, STAAD, ANSYS, etc. 

Additional Responsibilities 

• Take end-to-end responsibility for your projects, from initial concepts through to deployment and ongoing operations
• Partner closely with our multidisciplinary team of experienced engineers to tackle complex, cross-functional challenges
• Deliver high-quality work steadily and safely, ensuring every solution meets our rigorous quality standards while also for solving scalability issues in the future
• Continually improve our internal engineering processes, documentation, and tools to support the team as we scale

What you bring to the table

Need to haves: 

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or similar field. 
• 6+ years of experience in a related role working engineering, build, and management of critical infrastructure projects in energy, aerospace, or similar high-performance application (amusement park, oil & gas, heavy equipment, etc.). 
• Practical and theoretical knowledge of heavy-civil structural design, engineering and construction, including experience with structural steel, reinforced concrete structures, deep foundations, mass excavations, dewatering, and/or mass earthwork. 
• Demonstrated experience in project management fundamentals including scope definition, schedule & budget ownership, procurement, contracts, construction management, and field execution.  
• Demonstrated experience executing large capital improvement projects while driving economical and expediate solutions.  
• Excellent understanding of engineering construction drawings and construction means & methods.  
• Proven ability to lead teams, work autonomously, receive and incorporate constructive feedback, and work well on a high performing team.  
• Proven ability to effectively lead external designers, vendors, and contractors while driving projects to completion quickly and efficiently.  
• Experience with applicable engineering standards including ASCE 07, ASCE 341, IBC, AISC 360, ACI 318, AWS D1.1/D1.4, NFPA, ASTM, & ASME.  
• Experience developing civil-structural analysis models utilizing ETABS, SAP2000, ANSYS, and/or STAAD. 
• Innate ability to prioritize and execute. 
• Ability to operate across multiple cross-functional teams.  
• Strong technical communication and documentation skills.  
• Self-starter, ownership mentality, and ability to drive tasks from concept to completion. 

Nice-to-haves:

• Master’s degree in engineering, engineering management, construction management, or related field.  
• 12+ years of experience in a related role engineering, building, and leading critical infrastructure projects in aerospace or similar high-performance applications. 
• Experience in nuclear power, fossil power, oil & gas, aerospace ground systems, or large industrial plant design.  
• Understanding and experience of the nuclear regulatory process related to civil and structural designs.  
• Experience with ASCE 4/43, ACI 349, and AISC N690. 
• Prior FOAK (first-of-a-kind), reactor development, or first-of-a-kind industrial project experience.  
• Professional Engineering (P.E.) license. 

BENEFITS & PERKS FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES 

• Substantial incentive stock plan for all full-time employees.  
• Medical / Vision / Dental (details forthcoming). 
• Flexible PTO policy. 
• Hybrid and remote work options depending on role.  
• Other benefits to be announced at offer stage.  

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time. This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls.  Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.