Nuclear Engineer I

The Nuclear Company; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 68,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

401k with match

Medical, dental, vision

Generous vacation

Job summary

The Nuclear Company is seeking high-potential graduates for the Engineering I Program, an early-career track designed to accelerate development in nuclear infrastructure. You will collaborate with experienced engineers, constructors, licensing professionals, and project leaders on real-world problems that advance deployment.

Candidates graduating Spring 2027 may join full-time roles starting Summer 2027. The program offers broad exposure across mechanical, civil/structural, construction,

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a closely related technical discipline.
• Strong engineering fundamentals and problem-solving abilities.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Begin in one of several focus areas (Mechanical, Civil/Structural, Construction & Project Delivery, Nuclear Licensing & Regulatory).
• Work with engineers, constructors, licensing professionals, and project leaders on real problems tied to nuclear deployment.
• Gain broad exposure across the nuclear project lifecycle with discipline-specific assignments.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Clear communication

Ability to learn quickly

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Construction Engineering, Engineering Management

Job description

The Nuclear Company is the fastest-growing AI-enabled startup in nuclear energy, bringing together experienced nuclear professionals, technologists, engineers, and builders to deliver the next generation of nuclear power. Through our design-once, build-many approach, we are creating a repeatable model for deploying nuclear fleets—combining the industry’s highest standards for safety, quality, and regulatory rigor with the speed and innovation required to meet the world’s growing energy needs.

We are building the future of nuclear work.

Every employee is expected to use AI, technology, and our Nuclear Operating System (NOS) to strengthen engineering and operational decision-making, improve quality, eliminate inefficiencies, and accelerate execution without compromising safety. Our nuclear expertise shapes the continued evolution of NOS, enabling us to capture institutional knowledge, standardize best practices, and deliver complex projects with greater consistency and certainty.

We hire people who believe nuclear energy is essential to human progress.

Our team is made up of mission-driven experts who respect the rigor of the industry while challenging outdated ways of working. They bring deep technical judgment, intellectual curiosity, high agency, and the humility to learn from others. Our values—Transparency, Responsibility, Unity, Scrappy, and Tenacity—guide how we hire, collaborate, and make decisions. Together, they form TRUST, the foundation of our safety culture and our commitment to intellectual honesty, personal accountability, open communication, and operational excellence.

About The Role

The Engineering I Program is The Nuclear Company’s early‑career engineering program for exceptional graduating seniors who want to help build the next generation of nuclear infrastructure.

We are hiring students graduating in Spring 2027 for full-time roles beginning in Summer 2027.

Engineering One is designed for engineers who want more than a traditional entry‑level position. Participants will work alongside experienced engineers, constructors, licensing professionals, project leaders, and Members of Nuclear Staff on real problems tied directly to the development and deployment of nuclear projects.

The program provides broad exposure across the nuclear project lifecycle while building deep technical capability in an assigned discipline. Depending on your background and project needs, you may work across mechanical engineering, civil and structural engineering, construction and project delivery, nuclear licensing, Supply Chain and Procurement, systems engineering, or related technical functions.

Responsibilities

Engineering I participants will typically begin in one of the following areas while gaining exposure to the broader nuclear project lifecycle.

Mechanical Engineering

You May Contribute To:

• Mechanical systems and equipment used in nuclear and conventional power facilities
• Piping, pumps, valves, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and rotating equipment
• System design and engineering calculations
• Equipment specifications and vendor technical evaluations
• Piping and equipment layout
• Thermal-hydraulic and mechanical analysis
• Design reviews and interdisciplinary coordination
• Equipment installation, testing, startup, and commissioning
• ASME and other applicable mechanical codes and standards

Civil / Structural Engineering

You May Contribute To:

• Structural steel and reinforced concrete design
• Foundations, anchorage, embedded items, and structural interfaces
• Nuclear structures, systems, and components
• Seismic and dynamic design considerations
• Site development and geotechnical interfaces
• Structural calculations and design reviews
• Construction drawings and specifications
• Constructability and modularization studies
• ACI, AISC, ASCE, and applicable nuclear design requirements

Construction & Project Delivery

You May Contribute To:

• Construction planning and sequencing
• Constructability reviews
• Work packaging and field engineering
• Site logistics and installation planning
• Modularization and prefabrication strategies
• Contractor and supplier coordination
• Engineering-to-construction interfaces
• RFIs, field changes, and technical issue resolution
• Quality, schedule, cost, and project controls
• Testing, turnover, commissioning, and project closeout

Nuclear Licensing & Regulatory

You May Contribute To:

• Nuclear licensing strategy and regulatory analysis
• Licensing basis development and requirements management
• Preparation and review of regulatory submittals
• NRC regulations, regulatory guides, and industry standards
• Safety analysis and technical evaluations
• Responses to regulatory questions and requests for additional information
• Engineering-to-licensing interfaces
• Regulatory research and precedent reviews
• Development of technical positions supporting nuclear deployment

Experience

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Construction Engineering, Engineering Management, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Expected graduation between December 2026 and May 2027, with availability to begin full-time employment in Summer 2027.
• Strong engineering fundamentals and demonstrated ability to solve technical problems.
• Academic, internship, research, design-team, laboratory, construction, or project experience that demonstrates technical curiosity and initiative.
• Ability to learn unfamiliar technical subjects quickly.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively across engineering disciplines and with people from different technical backgrounds.
• High attention to detail and respect for engineering rigor.
• Willingness to ask questions, seek feedback, and take ownership of your development.
• Comfort working in an environment with rapidly evolving priorities and significant individual responsibility.
• Interest in nuclear energy, large-scale infrastructure, advanced engineering, or complex technical systems.
• A bias toward action and a desire to see engineering work become something that is actually built.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation packages
• 401k with company match
• Medical, dental, vision plans
• Generous vacation policy, plus holidays

Estimated Starting Salary Range

The estimated starting salary for this role is $80,000 annually less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. The actual salary offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined in the Company’s discretion, which may include experience, qualifications, tenure, skill set, availability of qualified candidates, geographic location, certifications held, and other criteria deemed pertinent to the particular role.

EEO Statement

The Nuclear Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an environment of inclusion in the workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, and termination.

Export Control

Certain positions at The Nuclear Company may involve access to information and technology subject to export controls under U.S. law. Compliance with these export controls may result in The Nuclear Company limiting its consideration of certain applicants.