Reactor Core Design 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 Core Design Engineer to support the Zap Micro Reactor (ZMR) program. In this role, you will be a part of 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 fission reactor core design and analysis methods. Technical expertise in neutronics, reactivity control, thermal hydraulics, and fuel performance is key. Proficiency in industry-standard analysis tools (MCNP, SCALE, PROTEUS, ORIGEN, SAS4A, GOTHIC, BISON) is required. 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 a product team and/or core design efforts within an NQA-1 program that includes:

• Propose and scope novel reactor core design concepts.
  
  

• Recommend and defend practical core design solutions that consider manufacturing, quality, and licensing constraints.
  
  

• Recommend software tools and methods to adopt, while always keeping quality assurance in view.
  
  

• Develop detailed work plans and effort estimates to complete major core design activities.
  
  

• Plan and perform work with NRC guides and licensing process in view.
• Line Manager: Dependent on experience level. If applicable, build out product team. Act as line manager for your team. Own your team’s technical performance, delivery of scope, and their professional development.
• Individual Contribution: Identify design concepts and integrated solutions for the core design, including nuclear fuels, coolant, moderator, reflector, and reactivity control. Perform engineering analysis in support of Reactor Core development. Write high quality documentation with rigor commensurate with the stage of the project and required quality level. Plan and assign work packages to meet schedule milestones.
• 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 Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related field from an ABET-accredited program is required.
• Technical Experience: At least 5 years of experience in fission reactor core design, with a preference to non-water reactors, including liquid-metal cooled and molten salt reactors.
• Technical Skills: Expert in nuclear reactor core design and analysis. Proficiency with various reactor analysis methods and tools, such as MCNP, SCALE, PROTEUS, ORIGEN, SAS4A, GOTHIC, BISON. Knowledge of modern software engineering practices and programming languages, such as Python.
• Managerial Experience: None Required
• Communication: Excellent technical writing skills and the ability to clearly present complex information to both internal and external stakeholders, including regulators.
• Licenses/Certifications: None
  
  

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.