Nuclear Controls Engineer

Last Energy; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A nuclear technology company is seeking a Nuclear Controls Engineer in Austin, TX, to lead the development of control requirements for pilot reactor systems. The ideal candidate will possess over 3 years of experience in nuclear controls and a deep understanding of reactor dynamics. Responsibilities include guiding controls engineers, determining startup conditions, and ensuring safety and performance compliance for the control systems. The role requires a Bachelor's in nuclear or controls engineering, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative approach.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in nuclear controls or related engineering fields.
• Strong understanding of reactor startup and instrumentation.
• Excellent documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead determination of startup conditions and instrumentation requirements.
• Guide controls engineers on operator control needs.
• Evaluate reactor time constants to meet safety requirements.
• Collaborate with teams to align controls with reactor performance.

Skills

Nuclear controls expertise

Reactor physics knowledge

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering

Job description

Last Energy seeks a Nuclear Controls Engineer to lead the development of control requirements for our pilot reactor systems. This role will guide instrumentation and operator interface design, ensuring safe, reliable, and responsive control performance.

The ideal candidate combines a deep understanding of reactor dynamics with practical controls engineering expertise. They'll also be capable of defining requirements, evaluating alternatives, and coordinating across technical disciplines.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead determination of reactor startup conditions, source location, and excore instrumentation requirements
• Provide direct guidance to controls engineers on operator control needs and translate these into programming requirements
• Evaluate reactor time constants and response speeds to ensure control systems meet safety and performance needs
• Suggest and validate alternative control options where appropriate
• Collaborate with reactor physics, safety, and operations teams to align controls with overall reactor performance and safety objectives
• Support documentation and regulatory submissions related to control system design

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in nuclear controls, reactor physics, or related engineering fields
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in nuclear engineering, controls engineering, or related discipline
• Strong understanding of reactor startup, source location, and excore instrumentation
• Experience defining operator control requirements and translating them into engineering or programming specifications
• Knowledge of reactor time constants, control system responsiveness, and alternative control strategies
• Excellent technical communication and documentation skills
• Based in Austin, TX (or willing to relocate)