What are the responsibilities and job description for the Probabilistic Risk Assessment Engineer position at newcleo?
About newcleo
newcleo is an innovative nuclear energy company developing AMRs cooled by liquid lead, and nuclear fuel from recycled nuclear waste, with the goal of delivering abundant, competitive, low-carbon energy.
The Company was founded by physicist-entrepreneur Stefano Buono following the USD 3.9 billion sale of his previous venture – Nasdaq-listed nuclear medicine company Advanced Accelerator Applications – to Novartis.
With over $80 million in revenue, other income, and financial income in 2024 including from its operating companies, approximately $780 million in private funding, and more than 900 highly skilled employees across Europe and the United States, the Company has built a network of over 100 industry partnerships and supports its growth through the targeted acquisition and vertical integration of key companies in the nuclear supply chain.
On May 27, 2026, newcleo announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination with NewHold Investment Corp. III (NASDAQ: NHIC) in a transaction that, upon closing, would result in newcleo becoming a U.S.-listed public company. The combined company is expected to be listed on the Nasdaq exchange under the ticker symbol “NWCL” following an anticipated transaction close in the second half of 2026, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
For more information visit www.newcleo.com/investors.
Position Summary
The Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) Engineer will support the development, maintenance, application, and refinement of the integrated Level 1 and Level 2 Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) for newcleo’s LFR-AS-200 advanced nuclear reactor in the United States.
The role will focus on probabilistic safety analysis, including Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Event Tree Analysis (ETA), Human Reliability Analysis (HRA), Common Cause Failure (CCF) analysis, reliability data analysis, and uncertainty and sensitivity evaluations.
The PRA Engineer will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including Nuclear Safety, Systems Engineering, Reactor Design, Operations, and Licensing teams, to support risk-informed design decisions, safety case development, and U.S. regulatory and licensing activities.
This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to the development of PRA methodologies for a first-of-a-kind Generation IV reactor and to support the application of the NRC’s risk-informed, performance-based framework to an advanced reactor technology.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, maintain, and quantify Level 1 and Level 2 PRA models for the LFR-AS-200 reactor, covering internal events, external hazards, and low-power/shutdown conditions.
- Perform Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Event Tree Analysis (ETA), Human Reliability Analysis (HRA), and Common Cause Failure (CCF) analyses.
- Evaluate initiating events, accident sequences, system dependencies, and risk-significant Structures, Systems, and Components (SSCs).
- Perform uncertainty, sensitivity, and importance measure analyses to support risk-informed decision-making.
- Support the identification and categorization of initiating events and Licensing Basis Events (LBEs) in accordance with the Licensing Modernization Project (LMP) methodology and applicable U.S. regulatory guidance.
- Support risk-informed SSC classification and the integration of probabilistic insights into nuclear safety assessments.
- Contribute to risk-informed design and licensing evaluations, including the assessment of design and operational changes.
- Prepare technical reports, PRA model documentation, and regulatory support documents.
- Participate in PRA peer reviews, focused-scope reviews, and model upgrades in accordance with applicable ASME/ANS PRA standards and industry guidance.
- Present and defend analytical methods, assumptions, and results to multidisciplinary project teams, customers, and regulatory stakeholders.
- Coordinate technical interfaces with system design engineers, safety analysts, operations personnel, licensing specialists, and other engineering disciplines.
- Support the integration of PRA results with deterministic safety analyses and the overall safety case.
- Ensure PRA activities are technically robust, traceable, and performed in accordance with applicable engineering, quality, and regulatory requirements.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
- 1–3 years of professional experience in nuclear Probabilistic Risk Assessment, reliability engineering, nuclear safety analysis, or a closely related field.
- Experience with industry-standard PRA software such as RiskSpectrum, CAFTA, SAPHIRE, or equivalent tools.
- Good understanding of Level 1 PRA methodologies, including Fault Tree and Event Tree Analysis.
- Working knowledge of Human Reliability Analysis, Common Cause Failure analysis, and reliability data analysis.
- Familiarity with Level 2 PRA concepts and severe accident progression analysis.
- Understanding of applicable PRA standards and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulatory guidance.
- Strong analytical, technical writing, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering and safety teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with PRA applications for advanced reactor technologies or non-LWR nuclear systems.
- Familiarity with ASME/ANS RA-S-1.4 and applicable PRA standards for advanced non-LWR plants.
- Familiarity with the Licensing Modernization Project (LMP) methodology, including NEI 18-04 and related NRC guidance.
- Experience supporting risk-informed licensing, design evaluations, or regulatory activities.
- Experience with Level 2 PRA development or severe accident analysis.
- Knowledge of external hazard PRA, including seismic, fire, or flooding hazards.
- Experience working in a nuclear safety, licensing, or highly regulated engineering environment.
- Experience working on international engineering projects and within multicultural teams.
- Familiarity with advanced reactor technologies, Generation IV systems, or liquid lead-cooled fast reactor technology is considered an asset.
- Willingness to travel occasionally internationally, including to France and Italy.
What We Offer
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, as well as a 401(k) plan with 4% company match.
• Generous paid time off, starting at 20 days per year and increasing to 25 days after 3 years of service.
• A mission-driven environment focused on delivering scalable, low-carbon energy solutions to meet growing global energy demand.
• A collaborative and international culture that values technical excellence, transparency, innovation, and cross-functional teamwork.