Lead Nuclear Hardening Engineer – Aerospace Electronics

Southwest Research Institute; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute seeks a senior-level engineer to lead nuclear hardening efforts for aerospace electronics. You will define requirements, roadmaps, design guidance, and verification strategies for mission-critical systems, translating threat environments into practical hardening solutions.

You will provide senior technical leadership across bomber, missile, strategic deterrence, and classified programs, mentoring teams and conducting design reviews to close safety and survivability

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s in Electrical/Nuclear Engineering or related field with senior-level radiation hardening experience.
• Radiation/EMP hardening training and/or certifications preferred.
• 5-12 years: aerospace experience developing nuclear hardening requirements, roadmaps, analysis, testing, shielding, and survivability strategies for electronics.
• 5+ years: experience supporting B-52, B-1, B-2, ICBM, or other strategic DoD platforms involving nuclear effects, hardening, survivability, or mission assurance.
• 5+ years: lead technical teams, create requirements, conduct design reviews, interpret test/analysis data, and communicate complex hardening issues clearly.
• 5+ years: present to upper management direction on nuclear efforts.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop, review, and maintain nuclear hardening requirements, design criteria, verification plans, and technical roadmaps for aerospace electronic systems.
• Evaluate electronic hardware, circuit card assemblies, LRUs, cables, enclosures, and shielding concepts for radiation hardness, survivability, and integration risks.
• Lead technical reviews with systems, electrical, mechanical, test, cyber, and program teams to assess hardening approaches and resolve design or verification issues.
• Support trade studies, test planning, analysis reviews, and customer briefings related to nuclear effects, shielding, component selection, and mission survivability.
• Provide mentoring, technical guidance, and subject matter expertise to engineering teams supporting bomber, missile, strategic deterrence, and classified aerospace programs.

Skills

Leadership

Radiation hardening expertise

Design reviews

Management communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s in Electrical/Nuclear Engineering or related field

Job description

Southwest Research Institute seeks a senior-level engineer to lead nuclear hardening efforts for aerospace electronics. You will define requirements, roadmaps, design guidance, and verification strategies for mission-critical systems, translating threat environments into practical hardening solutions.

You will provide senior technical leadership across bomber, missile, strategic deterrence, and classified programs, mentoring teams and conducting design reviews to close safety and survivability