Nuclear Fuels Lead Engineer

About Zap Energy

Zap is advancing the next generation of nuclear power technology across fusion, fission and hybrid applications. Built on an integrated platform of high-energy-density physics and pulsed power, liquid metals and advanced materials, and compact, modular systems, Zap is building the foundational technologies needed to deploy the energy sources of the future.

About The Opportunity

Zap Energy is seeking a Nuclear Fuels Team Lead to support the Zap Micro Reactor (ZMR) program. In this role, you will lead an integrated product team to deliver a liquid metal cooled fission reactor in support of Zap’s integrated nuclear mission. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in analysis, testing, qualification, and fabrication of nuclear fuels. Technical expertise in fuel performance, thermal-mechanics, and materials science is required. A firm understanding of the NRC licensing process and fuel qualification is also necessary. This role requires identifying and solving ill-defined first-of-a-kind problems. Being a team player is foundational to success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership: Plan, organize and lead the Nuclear Fuels team within an NQA-1 program that includes:

• Design and analysis of fuel pins and assemblies, including swelling, creep, and fission gas release.
  
  

• Identify needs and develop test matrices for material testing.
  
  

• Supplier engagement throughout the fuel procurement process, including enrichment and fabrication.
  
  

• Develop a fuel qualification plan and execute testing.
  
  

• Drive NRC engagement, including authorship of white papers, topical reports, and licensing documentation.
• Line Manager: Build out Nuclear Fuels team. Act as line manager for your team. Own your team’s technical performance, delivery of scope, and their professional development.
• Individual Contribution: Develop strategic plans and see those plans to completion, including materials testing and fuel qualification. Perform fuel performance modeling and simulation to inform design decisions and support the design and/or safety basis. Plan and assign work packages to meet schedule milestones. Review and approve engineering deliverables, including supplier submittals. Be the primary point of contact for the ZMR fuel.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with design, testing, and integration teams to ensure the design basis and safety basis are in-sync. Identify and evaluate engineering trade-offs for design basis and safety-basis, especially when in conflict. Identify key testing activities to simplify or gain confidence in the design. Actively identify areas for engineering and process improvement, including implementation of solutions.
• Supplier Collaboration: Act as a technical representative for supplier collaborations.
• Quality Assurance: Perform work within a graded quality assurance program. Identify and implement right-sized solutions to increase efficiency in execution, especially for cross-organizational functions related to quality assurance.
  
  

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science/Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related field from an ABET-accredited program is required.
• Technical Experience: At least 8 years of experience in materials science and engineering, including execution of test campaigns. At least 5 years working on design, qualification, and/or modeling of nuclear fuels.
• Technical Skills: Expert in nuclear fuel performance modeling and simulation, including tools like BISON. Proficiency with high-temperature material applications and unique considerations. Proficiency with nuclear safety analysis and regulatory requirements. Knowledge of modern software engineering practices and programming languages, such as Python.
• Managerial Experience: At least 2 years of experience managing a team of three or more direct reports.
• Communication: Excellent technical writing skills and the ability to clearly present complex information to both internal and external stakeholders, including regulators.
  
  

Personal Attributes And Skills

• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and ethical standards in engineering, including the ability to infuse this commitment throughout the organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Self-starter and can-do attitude.
• Familiarity and competence with basic program management processes and tools.
• Outside the box thinking, grounded in practical engineering solutions.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
• The ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Adaptability, resilience, and commitment to continuous learning.
  
  

Employment may be conditioned upon the ability to obtain export authorization. Estimated salary range: $150,000-210,000 annually. Candidates may be considered for other positions at Zap Energy and actual salary will be based on relevant education, experience, and other qualifications. Range is published in accordance with Washington Equal Pay and Opportunity Act.

Zap Energy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.