Micro Reactor Lead Engineer

Zap Energy Inc.; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Zap Energy is seeking a Reactor Team Lead to guide the ZMR program through design, testing, fabrication, commissioning and build of a liquid metal cooled fission reactor.

You will lead an integrated product team under an NQA-1 program, own the design basis, manage a team, perform engineering analysis, and collaborate across design, testing and safety groups to ensure robust reactor delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Nuclear Engineering or related field from an ABET-accredited program is required.
• At least 8 years of experience engineering and delivering complex systems including nuclear reactors, flight vehicles, and industrial plants (preference for non-water cooled reactors).
• Proficiency in mechanical design/analysis per ASME Codes & Standards; strong reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, and transient behavior knowledge; experience with reactor analysis tools and report writing; familiarity with Python and modern software practices.
• At least 2 years of experience managing a team of three or more direct reports.
• Excellent technical writing and ability to present complex information to regulators.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Lead reactor engineering and hardware delivery within an NQA-1 program across Reactor Core, Nuclear Fuel, Internals, Vessel, and Safety Systems.
• Act as Line Manager for the Reactor team; develop metrics and drive performance and professional development.
• Perform engineering analysis; produce high-quality design and calculation documentation; assign work packages to meet milestones.
• Review and approve supplier submittals; be the primary contact for the ZMR Reactor design basis.
• Collaborate with design, testing, and safety teams to align design and safety bases; identify design trade-offs.
• Represent the team in supplier collaborations and ensure quality assurance processes are right-sized for efficiency.

Skills

Nuclear engineering

Leadership

Mechanical design

ASME Codes

Python

Communication

Quality assurance

Education

ABET-accredited Mechanical/Aerospace/Nuclear Engineering degree

Tools

Reactor Analysis Tools

Job description

Zap is advancing the next generation of nuclear power technology across fusion, fission and hybrid applications. Built on an integrated platform of high-energy-density physics and pulsed power, liquid metals and advanced materials, and compact, modular systems, Zap is building the foundational technologies needed to deploy the energy sources of the future.

About the Opportunity

Zap Energy is seeking aReactor Team Leadto support theZap Micro Reactor (ZMR) program.In this role, you willleadan integratedproductteamthrough the full product lifecycle (design, testing, fabrication, commissioning, build)to deliver a liquid metalcooledfission reactor in support of Zap’s integrated nuclear mission.The ideal candidatehas extensiveexperience inmechanical engineering, including industry codes and standards(ASME BPVC), and familiarity with nuclear reactor design analysis methods and tools.This role requiresidentifyingand solvingill-defined first-of-a-kind problems.Being a team player is foundational to success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership :Plan, organize and leadreactor engineering and hardware delivery,within an NQA-1 program,including:
• Reactor Core
• Nuclear Fuel
• Reactor Internals
• Reactor Vessel
• Reactivity Control System
• Software V&V
• Integration of Design,Testing, and Safety CaseActivities
• Development ofDesign BasisDocumentation
• LineManager: Build out theReactorteam, includingexpertisein nuclear reactor analysis, fuel design and qualification, and high-temperature vessel design.Act as line manager for your team.Develop and monitor metrics to assess and improve team performance.Own your team’s technical performance, delivery of scope, and their professional development.
• Individual Contribution: Perform engineering analysis in support ofReactordevelopment. Write high quality documentation with rigorcommensuratewith the stage of the project andrequiredquality level.Plan and assign work packages to meet schedule milestones.Review and approve engineeringdeliverables, including supplier submittals.Be the primary point of contact for theZMRReactor design basis.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with design, testing, and integration teams to ensure design basis and safety basis are in-sync.Identifyand evaluate engineering trade-offs for design basisand safety-basis, especially when in conflict.Identifykey testing activities to simplify orgain confidence in the design.Activelyidentifyareas for engineering and process improvement, including implementation of solutions.
• Supplier Collaboration: Act as the technical representative for supplier collaborations.
• Quality Assurance: Perform work within a graded quality assurance program.Identifyand implement right-sized solutions to increase efficiency in execution, especially for cross-organizational functions related to quality assurance.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree inMechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering,Nuclear Engineeringor related field from an ABET-accredited program isrequired.
• Technical Experience: At least8years of experience inengineering and delivery of complex systems,including nuclear reactors, flight vehicles, and industrial plants. Preference toward advanced non-water-cooled nuclear reactors.
• Technical Skills: Proficiencyin mechanical design and analysis according to ASME Codes & Standard.Proficiencyin nuclear reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, and transient behavior. Experience using reactor analysis tools and software, including writing design and calculation reports.Knowledge of modern software engineering practices and programming languages, such as Python.
• Managerial Experience: At least 2 years of experience managing a team of three or more direct reports.
• Communication: Excellent technical writing skills and the ability to clearly present complex information to both internal and external stakeholders, including regulators.
• Licenses/Certifications: A Professional Engineer (PE) license is a bonus.

Personal Attributes and Skills

• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and ethical standards in engineering, including the ability to infuse this commitment throughout the organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Self-starterandcan-do attitude.
• Familiarity and competence with basic program management processes and tools.
• Outside the box thinking, grounded in practical engineering solutions.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
• The ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Adaptability, resilience, and commitment to continuous learning.

Employment may be conditioned upon the ability to obtain export authorization. Estimated salary range: $150,000-210,000 annually. Candidates may be considered for other positions at Zap Energy and actual salary will be based on relevant education, experience, and other qualifications. Range is published in accordance with Washington Equal Pay and Opportunity Act.

Zap Energy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.