Nuclear Design Engineer

Lightbridge Corporation; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first culture

Health coverage

401(k) match

Bonuses and equity

Professional development

Job summary

Lightbridge Corporation is seeking a Nuclear Design Engineer (Junior or Senior) to support core design and neutronics methodology for Lightbridge Fuel in water-cooled reactors. The role spans modeling, licensing support, and cross-functional collaboration with an emphasis on innovative approaches and regulatory readiness.

The position offers a remote-first work culture with opportunities for travel and a comprehensive benefits program.

Qualifications

• BS in Nuclear Engineering or a closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Perform neutronics and core design analyses for licensing qualification and commercialization of Lightbridge Fuel for water-cooled reactors.
• Develop, document, and maintain lattice physics and full-core neutronics models using deterministic and Monte Carlo methods.
• Integrate neutronics results with thermal-hydraulics and fuel-performance analyses.
• Develop workflows and tools, including Python-based scripting, to automate analyses and post-process results.
• Explore AI and data-driven techniques to enhance fuel design and optimization.
• Prepare technical calculations, reports, and licensing support documentation per quality/regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with internal teams and stakeholders to meet technical, schedule, and quality objectives.
• Senior level: lead complex analyses, review technical work, and interface with regulators and utilities.
• Senior level: mentor and provide guidance to junior engineers.

Skills

Neutronics analysis

Python scripting

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Technical communication

Mentoring (senior level)

Education

BS in Nuclear Engineering

MS or PhD (advantage)

Tools

CasMO/SIMULATE

HELIOS/PRESTO

SCALE/PARCS

MCNP

KENO

SERPENT

Python

Job description

At Lightbridge, we’re pioneering advanced nuclear fuel technology that’s designed to make reactors safer, more efficient, and more responsive to global energy needs. Our mission is bold and we’re looking for equally bold thinkers to help us bring it to life. If you thrive at the intersection of engineering and regulatory strategy, this is your opportunity to help shape the future of clean energy.

Overview

The Nuclear Design Engineer (Junior or Senior) supports the core design and neutronics methodology development and analysis of Lightbridge Fuel for various water‑cooled reactor applications. This role contributes to fuel design, analysis, licensing qualification, and commercialization through neutronics modeling, technical documentation, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. The scope of responsibility, technical ownership, and leadership increases with experience level.

Responsibilities

• Perform neutronics and core design analyses in support of the licensing qualification and commercialization of Lightbridge Fuel for water‑cooled reactors.
• Develop, document, and maintain lattice physics and full‑core neutronics models using deterministic and Monte Carlo analysis tools.
• Integrate neutronics results with thermal‑hydraulics and fuel performance analyses.
• Develop and utilize software tools and workflows, including Python‑based scripting, to automate analyses, post‑process results, and improve efficiency.
• Explore or apply AI and data‑driven techniques (e.g., machine learning, surrogate models, automated optimization) to enhance fuel design, modeling efficiency, or decision‑making.
• Prepare technical calculations, reports, and licensing support documentation in compliance with quality and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with internal project teams, leadership, and stakeholders to meet technical, schedule, and quality objectives.
• Senior level: Lead complex analyses, resolve advanced technical challenges, review and approve technical work products, and interface with regulatory agencies, utilities, vendors, and partners.
• Senior level: Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and support engineering best practices.

Required Experience

• BS in Nuclear Engineering or a closely related field.
• 2–3 years of relevant experience in reactor analysis, core design, neutronics, or nuclear engineering.
• Familiarity with neutronics concepts and lattice physics modeling through coursework or professional experience.
• Exposure to deterministic and/or Monte Carlo neutronics codes.
• Introductory experience with Python programming for analysis or data processing.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to access U.S. National Laboratories and pass required background checks and screenings.
• BS in Nuclear Engineering or a closely related field plus 5+ years of relevant experience, or MS + 4+ years, or PhD + 3+ years (equivalent experience considered).
• Proven experience performing and leading neutronics and core design analyses.
• Proficiency with industry‑standard deterministic and Monte Carlo neutronics codes.
• Working knowledge of neutronics, thermal‑hydraulics, and fuel performance, with experience integrating results across disciplines.
• Experience developing and maintaining analysis methodologies and technical models.
• Strong technical judgment, problem‑solving ability, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to access U.S. National Laboratories and pass required background checks and screenings.

Preferred Qualification

• Experience with lattice physics and core design software, including:
  • CASMO/SIMULATE
  • HELIOS/PRESTO
  • SCALE/PARCS
• Experience with Monte Carlo neutronics codes such as:
  • MCNP
  • KENO
  • SERPENT
• Proficiency in Python for workflow automation, data analysis, or tool development.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in applying AI or machine learning methods to engineering analysis, optimization, or large‑scale data interpretation.
• Experience developing scopes of work for neutronics analysis supporting fuel qualification, benchmarking, or core reloads.
• Experience with metallic nuclear fuels, particularly U‑Zr.
• Familiarity with ASME Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA‑1) requirements.
• Experience supporting nuclear fuel licensing activities.
• Experience collaborating with utilities, national laboratories, or nuclear regulators.
• Senior level: Prior experience mentoring or training junior engineers.

Lightbridge is committed to supporting the people who power our mission. We offer a comprehensive, competitive benefits program designed to promote well‑being, flexibility, and long‑term growth, including:

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance bonuses, including cash and equity awards
• Remote‑first work culture with opportunities for travel
• 100% company‑paid health, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with 100% company match
• Generous time off and family care benefits
• Up to 32 hours per year of company‑covered professional development course fees

As set forth in Lightbridge Corporation, a Nevada corporation’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.