Senior Technical Nuclear Expert

The Nuclear Company is the fastest growing startup in the nuclear and energy space creating a never before seen fleet-scale approach to building nuclear reactors. Through its design-once, build-many approach and coalition building across communities, regulators, and financial stakeholders, The Nuclear Company is committed to delivering safe and reliable electricity at the lowest cost, while catalyzing the nuclear industry toward rapid development in America and globally.

Senior Technical Nuclear Expert

Position Overview

The Senior Technical Nuclear Expert is a highly specialized technical leadership role responsible for providing deep nuclear engineering expertise across reactor systems, safety analysis, regulatory compliance, and nuclear facility design and operations. This position requires extensive knowledge of nuclear physics, reactor theory, safety systems, and NRC regulations to support TNC's fleet-scale nuclear deployment. You'll serve as a subject matter expert and technical authority on nuclear engineering matters, ensuring that all aspects of nuclear facility design, construction, and operations meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Nuclear Technical Leadership & Expertise

• Serve as subject matter expert on nuclear reactor systems, safety analysis, and nuclear engineering principles
• Provide advanced technical expertise on nuclear regulatory requirements including 10 CFR Part 50, 10 CFR Part 52, 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, and ASME NQA-1 standards  
• Lead technical reviews of design and construction processes associated with nuclear facilities
• Coordinate technical reviews of facility nuclear safety features
• Demonstrate deep knowledge of nuclear technology, reactor operations, and large-scale engineering systems
• Provide technical guidance to engineering teams on nuclear safety systems and reactor design

Reactor Systems & Safety Analysis

• Perform safety evaluations to verify that nuclear systems meet requirements and will perform as needed to afford reasonable assurance of plant safety
• Analyze nuclear safety systems including reactor protection, emergency core cooling, and containment systems
• Conduct reactor physics analyses including criticality, neutron flux distribution, and fuel burnup calculations
• Evaluate reactor control systems and instrumentation for safety-related functions
• Perform thermal-hydraulic analysis of reactor core and cooling systems
• Assess accident scenarios and develop mitigation strategies
• Review passive and active safety systems for defense-in-depth capability

Regulatory Compliance & Licensing

• Support NRC licensing activities including design certification, combined license (COL), and operating license applications
• Lead ITAAC (Inspections, Tests, Analyses, and Acceptance Criteria) development and closure to demonstrate compliance with design commitments
• Prepare and review safety analysis reports (SAR/FSAR) for NRC submission
• Support NRC inspections and respond to regulatory questions and requests for additional information (RAIs)
• Ensure compliance with 10 CFR 52.103(g) requirements for fuel load authorization
• Coordinate with NRC staff on technical issues and regulatory positions
• Track and implement regulatory guidance including Standard Review Plans (NUREG-0800), Regulatory Guides, and industry standards

Nuclear Design & Engineering

• Review and approve nuclear system designs for safety, reliability, and performance
• Evaluate equipment qualification for nuclear service including seismic, environmental, and radiation qualification
• Assess nuclear fuel design including enrichment, burnup, and reload strategies
• Review reactor core design including fuel assembly configuration and control rod patterns
• Evaluate radiation protection and shielding design for personnel safety
• Support nuclear island layout and arrangement optimization
• Review nuclear-grade component specifications and procurement requirements

Quality Assurance & Standards

• Ensure compliance with ASME NQA-1 quality assurance requirements for nuclear facilities
• Review quality assurance programs for design, procurement, construction, and operations
• Support 10 CFR 50 Appendix B implementation and compliance verification
• Evaluate supplier quality programs for nuclear-grade components
• Review inspection and test procedures for nuclear systems and components
• Ensure traceability of nuclear safety-related items throughout the supply chain
• Support corrective action programs for nuclear quality issues

Technical Documentation & Analysis

• Prepare technical reports and white papers on nuclear engineering topics
• Develop design basis documents and technical specifications
• Review and approve calculations, analyses, and technical evaluations
• Create technical training materials for nuclear engineering staff
• Document lessons learned from nuclear projects and operations
• Maintain technical basis documents for design decisions and regulatory commitments

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Interface with NRC staff on technical and regulatory matters
• Collaborate with reactor vendors and nuclear steam supply system (NSSS) suppliers
• Engage with industry organizations (NEI, EPRI, ANS) on nuclear standards and best practices
• Present technical information to executives, board members, and external stakeholders
• Support public outreach on nuclear safety and technology
• Mentor junior engineers and technical staff on nuclear engineering principles

Nuclear OS Integration

• Provide nuclear technical expertise to Nuclear OS development teams
• Ensure Nuclear OS features align with nuclear safety requirements and regulatory expectations
• Review AI/ML applications for nuclear safety implications
• Support digital twin development with nuclear system modeling expertise
• Validate automated compliance tracking for nuclear regulatory requirements
• Ensure technical accuracy of nuclear engineering data in Nuclear OS

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering (Master's or Ph.D. strongly preferred)
• 15+ years of experience in nuclear engineering, reactor design, or nuclear operations
• 10+ years working with commercial nuclear power plants or advanced reactor designs
• 5+ years in technical leadership or subject matter expert roles
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred

Nuclear Technical Expertise

• Expert knowledge of nuclear reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics, and safety analysis
• Deep understanding of reactor systems including primary coolant, emergency core cooling, containment, and auxiliary systems
• Proficiency in nuclear safety analysis codes (RELAP, TRACE, PARCS, MCNP, or similar)
• Strong knowledge of reactor core design, fuel management, and criticality safety
• Experience with probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) and deterministic safety analysis
• Understanding of radiation protection, shielding design, and ALARA principles
• Knowledge of nuclear materials, corrosion, and aging management

Regulatory & Standards Knowledge

• Expert knowledge of NRC regulations (10 CFR Parts 50, 52, 100) and regulatory processes
• Strong understanding of ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Section III (nuclear components)
• Familiarity with IEEE standards for nuclear power plant instrumentation and control
• Knowledge of ANSI/ANS standards for nuclear facilities
• Experience with NRC licensing processes including design certification and COL
• Understanding of ITAAC development, performance, and closure processes

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in nuclear analysis software and computational tools
• Strong analytical skills with ability to solve complex technical problems
• Experience with technical writing and preparation of regulatory documents
• Knowledge of engineering design processes and configuration management
• Understanding of digital instrumentation and control systems for nuclear applications
• Familiarity with quality assurance and quality control principles

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication skills with ability to explain complex nuclear concepts to diverse audiences
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities
• Strategic thinking with focus on safety and regulatory compliance
• Attention to detail for safety-critical applications
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams
• Problem-solving mindset with systematic approach to technical challenges

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering or related field
• Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) license or equivalent operational experience
• Experience with advanced reactor designs (SMRs, Gen IV reactors)
• Background in nuclear construction or commissioning
• Experience with digital I&C systems and software-based safety systems
• Knowledge of international nuclear standards (IAEA, WENRA)
• Publications in peer-reviewed nuclear engineering journals
• Active participation in ANS, ASME, or other professional societies
• Experience with NRC or international regulatory agencies
• Background in nuclear fuel cycle or waste management

Work Environment

• Office-based with occasional site visits to nuclear construction sites and operating plants
• Collaboration with engineering teams, regulatory agencies, and industry partners
• Travel to NRC headquarters, industry conferences, and project sites (20-30%)
• Interaction with senior leadership and external stakeholders
• May require security clearance for certain projects

Why This Role Matters

As TNC pursues fleet-scale nuclear deployment, the Senior Technical Nuclear Expert provides the critical nuclear engineering expertise needed to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient design, construction, and operation of nuclear facilities. Your deep knowledge of nuclear systems, safety analysis, and regulatory requirements will be essential to achieving NRC licensing, maintaining the highest safety standards, and building confidence with regulators and stakeholders. This role is fundamental to TNC's mission of accelerating clean, carbon-free nuclear energy deployment while maintaining uncompromising commitment to nuclear safety.

This position offers the opportunity to apply world-class nuclear engineering expertise to transform the nuclear industry and accelerate the deployment of clean energy infrastructure at fleet scale.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation packages
• 401k with company match
• Medical, dental, vision plans
• Generous vacation policy, plus holidays

Estimated Starting Salary Range
The estimated starting salary range for this role is $170000 - $200000 annually less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. The actual salary offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined in the Company’s discretion, which may include experience, qualifications, tenure, skill set, availability of qualified candidates, geographic location, certifications held, and other criteria deemed pertinent to the particular role. 

EEO Statement
The Nuclear Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an environment of inclusion in the workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, and termination.