Director of Nuclear Engineering

Fusion Energy Base; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 190,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Flexible paid time off

Job summary

Fusion Energy Base in Denver, Colorado is seeking a Director of Nuclear Engineering to lead the Nuclear Engineering Department. This role requires seasoned professionals with at least 15 years of experience in nuclear engineering, who can guide a team focused on innovative fusion energy solutions.

Compensation is competitive, ranging from $190,000 to $220,000 annually, with additional benefits including comprehensive health coverage, paid leave, and a 401(k) plan with matching.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in nuclear engineering, including leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience in building and leading technical teams.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or valid permanent resident.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the Nuclear Engineering Department.
• Establish and maintain nuclear engineering standards and practices.
• Collaborate to develop mitigation strategies for engineering risks.

Skills

Experience in nuclear engineering

Strong foundation in radiation physics

Excellent communication skills

Education

Advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering or related field

Tools

MCNP

OpenMC

Job description

Director of Nuclear Engineering

Denver, CO - Engineering – Nuclear Engineering / Full-Time / On Site

Overview

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture. Our mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by leading investors, Xcimer is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. Join us in powering a better world with inertial fusion.

Responsibilities

• Build, lead, and grow the Nuclear Engineering Department, including hiring, onboarding, mentoring, and performance development of engineering staff.
• Develop career paths and technical leadership pipelines for nuclear engineers while fostering a culture of technical rigor, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Establish, document, and maintain nuclear engineering standards, methods, and best practices across concept development, design, testing, and operations.
• Define and maintain the nuclear design basis for Xcimer facilities and programs, ensuring assumptions, analyses, and requirements support performance, safety, and regulatory objectives.
• Partner with Program Directors and Managers to ensure nuclear engineering activities are appropriately scoped, resourced, prioritized, and scheduled.
• Identify nuclear engineering risks early and collaborate cross-functionally to develop and implement mitigation strategies.
• Ensure disciplined execution of core nuclear engineering activities, including radiation transport and shielding analysis, activation analysis, source term definition, uncertainty analysis, and support for radiological safety and hazards analysis.
• Collaborate closely with Systems Engineering, Facilities, Test, Operations, ES&H, and peer engineering departments to integrate nuclear engineering considerations into system architectures, facility designs, and operational procedures.
• Define and execute a long-term roadmap for nuclear engineering capability growth, including external partnerships with national laboratories, academic institutions, and industry collaborators.
• Represent Xcimer in technical forums and within the broader nuclear engineering community to build technical credibility and attract top-tier talent.

Qualifications

• Education: Advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering or closely related technical field; PhD strongly preferred.
• Experience: 15+ years of experience in nuclear engineering, including senior technical leadership responsibilities. Demonstrated experience building, mentoring, and leading high-performing technical teams.
• Strong foundation in radiation physics, nuclear engineering fundamentals, and analytical methods.
• Experience with deterministic and Monte Carlo neutron/photon transport methods.
• Experience using nuclear engineering analysis tools such as MCNP, OpenMC, or equivalent software.
• Experience planning and managing technical work, including schedules, budgets, and performance metrics.
• Experience operating effectively within matrix organizations and multidisciplinary technical environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
• Desired: Experience within fusion energy, high-radiation facilities, or other advanced energy systems. Experience collaborating with national laboratories, universities, or large multi-institution technical programs. Experience establishing engineering standards and improving technical rigor across organizations. Publication record or recognized technical leadership within the nuclear engineering community.

Compensation

$190,000 - $220,000 a year. Candidates may be considered for other positions at Xcimer Energy, and our actual base salary will be determined on an individual basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The range is published in accordance with Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and California Equal Pay Act.

EEO Statement

Xcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated workforce. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption; 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%; equity; flexible paid time off (ATO) approach; paid sick time; 13 company-paid holidays; annual paid company shutdown. Eligible employees also receive equitable benefits varying by role.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Location

Denver, Colorado, USA. Relocation assistance may be discussed during the interview process.