Position Title: Nuclear Engineer III/IV Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Lead

Location: Madison, WI

Company: Fissionaire

About Us: As an emerging leader in nuclear engineering, our startup is developing revolutionary reactor technology to secure safe and abundant energy for future generations. We are seeking a highly skilled Lead Instrumentation & Control Engineer to join our dynamic team and contribute to the design and development of next-generation nuclear reactors.

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Lead Instrumentation and Control Engineer to play a pivotal role in the development of a proliferation resistant Thermal-Spectrum Molten Salt Breeder Reactor (TS-MSBR). This is a senior-level position with significant technical leadership responsibilities in a cutting-edge advanced nuclear reactor project. The successful candidate will own the design, selection, and implementation of I&C systems, ensuring they meet stringent nuclear safety, performance, and reliability requirements in the unique high-temperature, corrosive, and radioactive environment of a molten salt reactor.

The position is expected to evolve into leadership of a growing I&C team. The Lead I&C Engineer will collaborate closely with reactor physics, mechanical, materials, and systems engineering teams in developing the reactor design.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop I&C roadmaps and budgets for both demonstration/test and commercial systems.
• Develop I&C Architecture for reactor, fuel salt processing and power conversion systems.
• Oversee the selection of the primary and secondary monitor and control platforms.
• Lead the specification, selection, qualification, and procurement of instrumentation hardware suitable for molten salt environments (high-temperature sensors, flow meters, redox monitors, level detectors, neutron flux monitors, pressure transducers, corrosion-resistant probe designs, Beryllium monitoring, etc.).
• Lead the development of control logic and human-machine interfaces (HMI) for reactor operations.
• Ensure functional requirements, safety requirements, and system architectures are in compliance with nuclear standards.
• Perform or oversee hazard analyses, failure modes and effects analyses and safety classification of I&C components and software.
• Ensure cybersecurity compliance for digital I&C systems.
• Oversee the selection and implementation of safeguards monitoring instruments.
• Support integration testing, commissioning planning, and eventual operational readiness of the reactor control systems.
• Interface with regulatory bodies during licensing, develop technical reports in support of licensing activities and ensure systems meet regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate on development, simulation, and modeling of control systems.
• Develop and build system test beds to validate and test system operations.
• Hire and mentor a team of junior and mid-level engineers specializing in hardware, software.
• Support and manage relationships with key I&C vendors and partners.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or a closely related field. Master’s degree or PhD preferred.
• Minimum 8–10 years of hands-on experience in instrumentation and control system design, with at least 5 years in the nuclear industry
• Deep expertise in:
• Nuclear I&C requirements and safety principles.
• Control system architectures and platforms
• Programming industrial control systems
• Industrial communication protocols and real-time data transfer.
• Selection and application of instrumentation in harsh environments
• Demonstrated experience leading technical efforts and eventually building/managing engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of nuclear quality assurance and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance if required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience with molten salt reactors or advanced reactors.
• Experience with instrumentation for molten salt systems
• Development of safety critical FPGA based systems
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent certification.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and equity options
• Comprehensive benefits, holiday and PTO schedule
• Opportunity to work with a ground breaking, advanced nuclear startup

If you are passionate about the energy that impacts our day-to-day lives and want to work with talented and dedicated people across the globe, apply today! 

www.fissionaire.com 

Fissionaire is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, family or relationship structure, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Fissionaire’s management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $150,000.00 - $185,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Relocation assistance

Application Question(s):

• Are you familiar with nuclear I&C requirements and safety principles?
• Do you have a strong understanding of nuclear quality assurance and regulatory frameworks?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Location:

• Madison, WI 53719 (Required)

Work Location: In person