Lead Nuclear Propulsion Engineer (M-NTR)

AlgoForge Aerospace; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

AlgoForge Aerospace in Bengaluru (India) seeks a Lead Nuclear Propulsion Engineer to spearhead development of their Monolithic CERMET Nuclear Thermal Rocket (M-NTR). You will architect high-temperature reactor cores, run neutronics simulations, and drive thermal-hydraulic optimization for LH2 through exotic channels at extreme temperatures.

This is a hands-on, physics-driven leadership role in a cutting-edge space propulsion program.

Job description

Mission Overview

At AlgoForge Aerospace, chemical propulsion only gets us to orbit. To conquer the solar system and enable rapid interplanetary logistics, we must look to fission. As the Lead Nuclear Propulsion Engineer, you will spearhead the development of our Monolithic CERMET Nuclear Thermal Rocket (M-NTR).

This is not theoretical paper-pushing. You will architect high-temperature reactor cores, executing complex neutronics simulations while pushing liquid hydrogen (LH2) through extreme-heat channels to double the specific impulse (Isp) of traditional chemical engines.

Operational Objectives

Take cradle-to-grave ownership of the M-NTR reactor core, balancing critically, thermal margins, and structural integrity under immense thermal stress.

Drive high-fidelity neutronics modeling (MCNP, SERPENT) to establish control drum reactivity worth, power distributions, and radiation shielding efficacy.

Execute extreme thermal-hydraulic simulations to optimize liquid hydrogen flow through monolithic Ceramic-Metal (CERMET) composite channels at >2500K.

Pioneer manufacturing integration, working with metallurgists to process and test surrogate materials (e.g., Tungsten-Depleted Uranium) prior to live HALEU fuel runs.

Architect the roadmap for hardware-rich, non-nuclear blowdown testing, culminating in live-reactor hot-fire operations at secure remote ranges.

Mission Prerequisites

MS or PhD in Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Plasma Physics with a heavy focus on reactor design or thermal-hydraulics.

Extensive, verifiable experience utilizing advanced neutron transport codes (MCNP6, SERPENT, or equivalent) for complex reactor geometries.

Deep mastery of high-temperature material science, specifically refractory metals (Tungsten, Molybdenum) and Ceramic-Metal (CERMET) composites.

Proven track record in handling deep cryogenic propellants (LH2) and modeling highly transient multi-phase thermodynamic states.

Eligibility to obtain and maintain necessary national security and nuclear regulatory clearances due to the handling of Special Nuclear Material (SNM).

Deployment Benefits

Interplanetary Impact

Build the propulsion system that cuts transit time to Mars in half.

Atomic Authority

Lead the charge in commercializing high-thrust fission for space.

Hardware-Rich

Move rapidly from digital MCNP models to physical surrogate testing.

Elite Roster

Execute alongside veterans from national labs and tier-one defense programs.