Lead Nuclear Engineer – Microreactor Systems

Antares; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Antares is seeking a highly skilled nuclear engineer to own critical components of the reactor design, lead neutronics modeling, and coordinate cross‑disciplinary activities across thermal, mechanical, and materials engineering. You will mentor junior engineers and interface with regulatory bodies to advance licensing and safety milestones.

The role emphasizes hands‑on design work, prototype campaigns, and rigorous verification across coupled multiphysics domains, with opportunities to

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or related field
• Deep experience with and understanding of MCNP, Serpent, or SCALE
• Experience with Multiphysics simulations and methods (thermal‑hydraulics, structural, heat transfer), reactor kinetics, safety analysis, or integrated systems modeling
• Advanced programming proficiency (Python, C++, or similar)
• Experience designing or developing high temperature gas reactors, heat pipe cooled reactors, microreactors, TRISO fuel, or other advanced reactors
• Strong leadership and mentorship skills
• Demonstrated success in regulatory processes (DOE, NRC, DoD)
• Previous experience at dynamic tech companies or startups
• Experience with advanced reactor transient and systems analysis tools such as SAM, AGREE, PARCS, or equivalent nuclear systems codes
• Experience with reactor commissioning, startup testing, power ascension testing, and operational readiness activities for nuclear systems
• Deep understanding of reactor shielding design, radiation transport analysis, and variance reduction methodologies, including experience with ADVANTG, MAVRIC, Attila4MC, or equivalent tools
• Experience performing integrated nuclear‑thermal‑mechanical analyses for reactor structures and components, including structural graphite, high‑temperature steels, and other advanced reactor materials
• Demonstrated ability to maintain design margins and performance requirements across coupled neutronic, thermal, mechanical, materials, and operational domains
• Strong systems engineering mindset with the ability to work effectively across disciplinary interfaces and identify data needs for validation, verification, qualification, and licensing activities
• Experience planning and executing experimental programs to generate qualification data, including leveraging commissioning and power ascension campaigns to supplement analytical and modeling efforts
• Understanding of fuel and materials irradiation effects, in‑pile testing methodologies, and qualification approaches for advanced reactor systems and components
• Experience developing qualification strategies for reactor components, fuels, and materials through a combination of analysis, testing, irradiation campaigns, and operational data collection

Responsibilities

• Lead complex neutronics modeling and Multiphysics analysis
• Responsible nuclear engineer for design and integration of components as assigned
• Mentor junior engineers
• Develop and implement modeling and simulation methods and tools
• Coordinate validation and verification activities
• Interface directly with regulatory bodies for licensing and compliance
• Spearhead prototype testing and experimental campaigns
• Lead cross‑disciplinary integration efforts across neutronics, thermal‑hydraulics, structural mechanics, materials, and reactor operations to ensure design margins are maintained across all Figures of Merit (FOMs) and safety‑critical performance metrics
• Identify and define validation, verification, qualification, and testing requirements across engineering disciplines, including opportunities to leverage startup, commissioning, and power ascension testing data for model development and design maturation

Skills

Multiphysics simulations

Python

C++

Leadership

Regulatory experience

Startup experience

Nuclear engineering concepts

Nuclear safety analysis

Reactor kinetics

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or related field

Tools

MCNP

Serpent

SCALE

SAM

AGREE

PARCS

ADVANTG

MAVRIC

Attila4MC

Job description

Antares is seeking a highly skilled nuclear engineer to own critical components of the reactor design, lead neutronics modeling, and coordinate cross‑disciplinary activities across thermal, mechanical, and materials engineering. You will mentor junior engineers and interface with regulatory bodies to advance licensing and safety milestones.

The role emphasizes hands‑on design work, prototype campaigns, and rigorous verification across coupled multiphysics domains, with opportunities to