Instrumentation and Control Architect

Nano Nuclear Energy, Inc.; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 145,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

NANO Nuclear Energy is seeking a Lead Instrumentation and Control Architect to establish and lead the design basis for I&C topology across our next‑gen reactor technologies. This role defines top-level architecture, safety boundaries, and interfaces while ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory frameworks.

You will provide technical direction to I&C engineers, drive architectural decisions, and oversee safety analyses, vendor selections, and long‑term roadmaps to deliver reliable, secure

Qualifications

• Experience designing system-level instrumentation and control architecture for safety-critical systems.
• Strong knowledge of industry codes and standards (IEEE, ISA, NRC) applicable to I&C.
• Proven technical leadership and decision-making in complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the top-level I&C architecture for reactor and plant systems.
• Establish principles for independence, redundancy, diversity, and defense-in-depth.
• Select and govern I&C platforms, technologies, and communication frameworks.
• Establish and maintain I&C design basis and system requirements for safety and licensing.
• Maintain requirements traceability and architectural consistency.
• Lead system-level safety and reliability evaluations (FMEA, common‑cause, independence, single‑failure).

Skills

I&C architecture

Control logic design

Cybersecurity practices

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering or Nuclear Engineering

Tools

IEEE standards

NRC standards

ISA standards

FPGA platforms

Job description

About NANO Nuclear Energy

NANO Nuclear Energy is an advanced nuclear technology company developing next-generation microreactor systems that will help transform the future of clean, reliable, and resilient energy. Through the development of its KRONOS MMR™ Energy System, LOKI MMR™ Energy System, and ZEUS™ Solid Core Battery Reactor—advanced high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) technologies designed for applications including data centers, industrial operations, remote communities, and critical infrastructure, the company is advancing innovative nuclear solutions for a rapidly evolving energy landscape. NANO Nuclear has also submitted a Construction Permit Application (CPA) to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to support the planned deployment of the KRONOS MMR at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), representing a significant milestone toward the commercialization of advanced nuclear technology.

Joining NANO Nuclear means contributing to pioneering technologies with the potential to redefine the nuclear industry while working alongside experts in engineering, science, and innovation. Our team operates in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where employees are encouraged to solve challenging technical problems and advance the materials technologies needed for next-generation energy systems.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Lead Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Architect to establish, to lead and maintain the design basis for the overarching instrumentation, control, protection, monitoring and automation architecture for our advanced nuclear reactor technologies. This role is responsible for defining the top-level system I&C topology and platform, design principles, safety class separation and boundaries, functional allocation, independence and redundancy strategies, and interfaces between I&C systems and other plant systems, while ensuring compliance with stringent nuclear regulatory frameworks. This position will provide technical direction to I&C systems and controls engineers and will establish the architectural framework within which detailed I&C system, subsystem, software, hardware, and instrumentation design are developed.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the top‑level I&C architecture for reactor and supporting plant systems.
• Establish architectural principles for independence, redundancy, diversity, and defense‑in‑depth.
• Select and govern I&C platforms, technologies, and communication frameworks.
• Establish and maintain the I&C design basis and system requirements aligned with safety and licensing needs.
• Maintain requirements traceability and architectural consistency across systems and components.
• Lead system‑level safety and reliability evaluations (FMEA, common‑cause, independence, single‑failure).
• Provide architectural and technical leadership in the design, resolution of cross‑disciplinary architectural issues, management of technical risks, and support licensing and long‑term roadmap development and implementation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years (or M.Sc. and 8+ years) of experience in system-level I&C architecture design, preferably in nuclear, energy, or aerospace.
• Experience with safety-critical or highly regulated control systems.
• Strong knowledge of industry codes and standards related to I&C systems (e.g., IEEE, ISA, NRC) and engineering practices.
• Deep technical expertise in control logic design, network protocols, and cybersecurity practices for nuclear or safety-critical I&C.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and decision-making capability.

Preferred Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience.
• Experience with nuclear safety-related digital I&C.
• Advanced reactor experience.
• FPGA-based protection/control systems.
• A collaborative engineering culture focused on innovation and technical excellence.
• Opportunities for mentorship, professional growth, and technical leadership.
• The opportunity to contribute to a cleaner, more reliable energy future.
• Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance with generous company contributions.
• Company 401(k) plan with 5% match.
• Unlimited PTO policy with company holidays and paid parental leave.

What We Offer

• A collaborative engineering culture focused on innovation and technical excellence.
• Opportunities for mentorship, professional growth, and technical leadership.
• The opportunity to contribute to a cleaner, more reliable energy future.
• Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance with generous company contributions.
• Company 401(k) plan with 5% match.
• Unlimited PTO policy with company holidays and paid parental leave.

Salary range and levels for this role:

• Level IV: Typically, ten years of experience in an engineering role required.
• Level V: Typically, fifteen years of experience in an engineering role required.
• Level VI: Typically, twenty years of experience in an engineering role required.

Level IV: $145,000- 170,000; Level V: $170,000- $195,000; Level VI: $185,000- $215,000

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the role and may encompass responsibilities across multiple functions or levels within the organization. The scope of the position, title, responsibilities and compensation will be determined based on the specific needs of the business, as well as the candidate's experience, qualifications and level of expertise. The salary range provided, where applicable, is intentionally broad is not indicative of a single level or final compensation offer. Actual compensation will be determined based on relevant experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity and other applicable factors.

Equal Opportunity Statement

NANO Nuclear Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.