Head of Engine Systems (Nuclear)

First Principle; California (MO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

First Principle seeks a senior engineer/scientist to lead the design and development of core energy conversion systems—engine systems—for a first-of-a-kind fusion power plant. The role reports to the executive team and defines system architecture, leads the R&D program, and builds the team to execute from concept through prototype to commercial scale.

The challenges involve extreme materials, high-radiation, high-heat-flux environments, exotic coolant systems, and a design that must operate

Qualifications

• For this senior role, candidates should have led first-of-a-kind energy systems from concept to production.
• Experience with high-radiation, high-heat-flux environments is highly valued.
• Ability to engage peers and national labs in design reviews and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Define system architecture for core energy conversion 'engine systems'.
• Lead R&D program and build a high-performing engineering team.
• Translate concept designs into prototypes and scalable delivery.

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

Nuclear core design

Program leadership

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Prototype to production delivery

Peer-review with scientists

Education

Advanced engineering degree

Tools

Finite element analysis

Thermal-fluid modeling

Job description

First Principle has been retained on a highly specialized assignment to hire an engineer/scientist to lead the design and development of core energy conversion systems - which we have termed the ‘engine systems’ - in a first-of-a-kind fusion power plant.

No equivalent to these systems has ever been built before. This is a true clean-sheet design program, the likes of which are extremely rare. The role will report directly into the executive team and will be responsible for defining the system architecture, leading the R&D program, and building the team to execute. Everything from conceptual design through to prototype and commercial scale delivery.

The systems in scope span the perimeter/shell of the fusion chamber, because of the sensitive nature of this technology, we can’t share too much detail, but the design challenges will be extreme: novel materials in high-radiation, high-heat-flux environments, exotic coolant systems, and a requirement for the whole to operate reliably at a repetition rate and scale that has never been attempted.

Success Criteria

• You have led the design of a nuclear core, primary system, or equivalent energy conversion system from first principles in fission or fusion. Outside of the nuclear world, you may have built and delivered large, complex, first-of-a-kind systems operating in extreme thermal or radiation environments, including space systems, directed energy, advanced propulsion, etc.
• Backgrounds of particular interest include advanced fission reactor startups, particularly molten salt, sodium fast, or high-temperature gas reactor programs, and national laboratory engineering programs with serious hardware delivery.
• Senior/Executive-level engineering leadership experience with direct ownership of system-level design decisions across a complex, interdisciplinary hardware program is essential. With a track record of taking a first-of-a-kind system from conceptual design through to production.
• You must have the technical depth to engage at peer-review level with world-class scientists and national laboratory partners, and the leadership capability to build and run a high-performing engineering team.
• Comfort operating in an early-stage environment where engineering leaders are expected to combine strategic design thinking with hands‑on problem solving.
• US person status is required due to the nature of the technology involved. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

For the right person, the appeal is obvious. Total design freedom, world‑class scientific and engineering collaborators, serious long-term financial backing, and a mission that needs no embellishment.