Lead Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Engineer Engineering Madison, WI

Fissionaire; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Benefits & PTO

Groundbreaking startup work

Job summary

Fissionaire in Madison, Wisconsin is actively seeking a highly skilled Lead Instrumentation and Control Engineer to own the design, selection, and implementation of I&C systems for a next-generation molten salt reactor. This senior role requires technical leadership across architecture, hardware, software, safety analyses, and regulatory interfaces in a high-temperature, corrosive, radioactive environment.

You'll collaborate with reactor physics, mechanical, materials, and systems teams, develop

Responsibilities

• Develop I&C roadmaps and budgets for demonstration/test and commercial systems.
• Develop I&C architecture for reactor, fuel salt processing and power conversion systems.
• Oversee the selection of primary and secondary monitor and control platforms.
• Lead the specification, qualification, and procurement of instrumentation hardware for molten salt environments.
• Lead the development of control logic and human-machine interfaces (HMI).
• Ensure functional and safety requirements and architectures comply with nuclear standards.
• Perform hazard analyses, FMEA and safety classification of I&C components and software.
• Ensure cybersecurity compliance for digital I&C systems.
• Oversee safeguards monitoring instrument selection and implementation.
• Support integration testing, commissioning planning, and operational readiness of reactor control systems.
• Interface with regulatory bodies during licensing and prepare technical reports.

Job description

Lead Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Engineer

About Us

We’re pioneering the next generation of nuclear technology to deliver safe, scalable, and sustainable energy. Our team is small, fast-moving, and mission-driven - combining deep technical expertise with a startup’s sense of urgency. As we grow, we’re designing the systems that will redefine what nuclear power can do for the world.

Lead Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Engineer

Job Summary

Madison, WI

Full-Time

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.

What we offer

• Competitive salary with equity options
• Comprehensive benefits, holiday and PTO schedule
• Opportunity to shape foundational operations in a groundbreaking nuclear startup

Fissionaire’s technology is subject to U.S. export control regulations, which require the company to review applicants’ eligibility based on their citizenship or residency status. As part of the application process, candidates will be asked to indicate whether they are a U.S. citizen, green card, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee resident to support this review. Because government authorization timelines can vary, Fissionaire is unable to consider alternate resident statuses where required approvals may not be obtainable within a timeframe that meets business needs.

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.