Project Engineer

Nano Nuclear Energy, Inc.; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship

Career growth

Health insurance

401(k) 5% match

Unlimited PTO

Parental leave

Job summary

NANO Nuclear Energy in Oak Brook, IL seeks an experienced Project Engineer to lead Kronos MMR design projects, coordinate with NRC, engineering firms, and construction partners, and drive schedules and budgets.

The role requires 5+ years in nuclear/energy or manufacturing, PMP preferred, and strong leadership and communication skills. On-site four days a week with room to grow in a collaborative, innovation-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business or PM.
• 5+ years project management in nuclear/energy/manufacturing.
• PM methodologies and tools (MS Project, Primavera).
• PMP certification preferred.
• Budgeting, scheduling, and risk management experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive project plans with scope, schedules, resources, and budgets.
• Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, procurement, QA, and operations.
• Maintain project schedule and budgets; manage risk and compliance.
• Communicate status updates to leadership; deliver contractual deliverables.
• Identify risks and drive continuous improvement in project execution.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Risk management

Multidisciplinary coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree (Engineering/PM)

Tools

MS Project

Primavera

Job description

About NANO Nuclear Energy

NANO Nuclear Energy is an advanced nuclear technology company developing next-generation microreactor systems that will help transform the future of clean, reliable, and resilient energy. Through the development of its KRONOS MMR™ Energy System, LOKI MMR™ Energy System, and ZEUS™ Solid Core Battery Reactor—advanced high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) technologies designed for applications including data centers, industrial operations, remote communities, and critical infrastructure—the company is advancing innovative nuclear solutions for a rapidly evolving energy landscape. NANO Nuclear has also submitted a Construction Permit Application (CPA) to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to support the planned deployment of the KRONOS MMR at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), representing a significant milestone toward the commercialization of advanced nuclear technology.

Joining NANO Nuclear means contributing to pioneering technologies with the potential to redefine the nuclear industry while working alongside experts in engineering, science, and innovation. Our team operates in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where employees are encouraged to solve challenging technical problems and advance the materials technologies needed for next-generation energy systems.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Project Engineer to lead the planning, coordination, and execution of complex engineering and production initiatives. The ideal candidate will coordinate all activities for our Kronos MMR standard design and be able to use discretion on communication between all stakeholders involved. This includes interfacing with internal project team, NRC, engineering firms, and construction firms. The ability to support and drive the project team with technical discussion and maintain the project schedule.

In addition, the candidate will be responsible for managing budgets and schedules. They will coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, customers and providers. They will ensure project goals are met safely, efficiently, and on time.

The position will be based in our facility in Oak Brook, Illinois, on-site four (4) days a week. The candidate will work independently with limited supervision, applying their knowledge to projects and processes. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact, collaborate with talented professionals, with room to grow your career in a supportive and innovative environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive project plans, including scope, schedules, resources, and budgets.
• Develop a project schedule and resourcing needs identification, to be used to lead performance of the work.
• Support and drive the project team to meet all project milestones.
• Support technical discussions with the project team
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including engineering, procurement, quality assurance, and operations.
• Facilitate communication among stakeholders, providing regular status updates to leadership.
• Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, safety standards, and company policies.
• Manage project documentation, reporting, and contractual deliverables.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance project execution processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field.
• 5+ years of project management experience, within the nuclear, energy, or manufacturing sectors.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multidisciplinary projects from inception to completion.
• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies and tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera).
• PMP certification or equivalent is highly preferred.
• Experience with construction or development projects.
• Experience with budgeting, scheduling, and risk management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills

What We Offer

• A collaborative culture focused on innovation and technical excellence.
• Opportunities for mentorship, professional growth, and technical leadership.
• The opportunity to contribute to a cleaner, more reliable energy future.
• Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance with generous company contributions.
• Company 401(k) plan with 5% match.
• Unlimited PTO policy with company holidays and paid parental leave.

Equal Opportunity Statement

NANO Nuclear Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.