Reactor Systems Engineer

Ocean Atomics; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ocean Atomics is seeking a Reactor Systems Engineer to define the primary system layout, develop system-level thermal-hydraulic models, and analyze architectures for normal, transient, and accident scenarios. The role involves rigorous documentation and interaction with licensing processes.

You will integrate system models with neutronics and structural data to support multiphysics studies, and collaborate with safety, simulation, and operations teams to ensure robust, safe nuclear-powered

Qualifications

• Experience with thermohydraulic system modeling and safety-focused analysis.
• Ability to couple system models with neutronics and structural inputs.
• Proven skills in documenting analysis results and validation/verification (V&V).

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain primary system arrangement and interfaces.
• Build, run, and maintain thermal-hydraulic models for steady-state, transient, and accident scenarios.
• Design decay heat removal architectures ensuring adequate cooling for events.
• Support trade studies balancing layout, components, and safety margins.
• Document results and justify methodologies and V&V for licensing purposes.
• Couple system models with neutronics and structural inputs for multiphysics studies.
• Provide system and accident-response information to safety, simulation, and operations teams.

Skills

Thermal-hydraulic modeling

Multiphysics coupling

System architecture analysis

Safety analysis

Documentation & V&V

Job description

The ocean is the largest undeveloped frontier on earth — and the next chapter of abundant energy will be written at sea. We’re building the infrastructure to power it.

About Ocean Atomics (OA)

Ocean Atomics is an American company designing, licensing, and assembling a standardized nuclear electric power plant and the surrounding support systems for maritime applications. We will install these plants on any vessel built to our nuclear-ready standards, and will provide end-to-end sustainment in our planned nuclear lifecycle dockyard. We will help develop the licensed operators to unlock this new capability for your energy intensive application at sea. To move fast and to lead the creation of this new market, we are leveraging the compact, proven systems enabled by water-cooled reactors.

Our mission

Scale nuclear energy. Power generations.

Our vision

A maritime commons thriving with abundant, economical, modern, and safe nuclear-powered activity — built, serviced, and staffed by re-industrialized American shipyards and people.

Role Summary

The Reactor Systems Engineer will define the arrangement of the primary system, build and run system-level thermal-hydraulic models, and design and analyze the system architecture across normal, transient, and accident conditions.

What You’ll Do

• Define and maintain the arrangement of the primary system and its interfaces with supporting systems

• Build, run, and maintain system thermal-hydraulic models spanning steady-state, transient, and accident scenarios

• Design and analyze decay heat removal architectures and demonstrate adequate cooling for limiting events, leveraging the maritime environment as appropriate

• Support trade studies that balance arrangement, component sizing, and safety margins

• Rigorously document analysis results and justify methodology and V&V in support of the licensing process

• Couple system models with neutronics and structural inputs to support multiphysics and transient studies

• Provide primary system and accident-response information to safety analysis, simulator, and operations teams

What You Bring

• Required

Export control notice.

This role involves access to information subject to U.S. export control laws, including unclassified nuclear technology governed by the U.S. Department of Energy under 10 CFR Part 810. Depending on a candidate’s status, access may require DOE authorization, which Ocean Atomics may apply for. Any offer is contingent on your ability to work in compliance with these requirements. We evaluate all applicants regardless of citizenship or national origin, except where required by law.

Why this matters

Every industry on Earth needs scalable, clean energy, and the ocean is the ideal place to unlock it. Joining Ocean Atomics means building real, lasting infrastructure — the kind that powers generations. The world needs abundant energy. Let’s make it happen.

Ocean Atomics LLC is an equal opportunity employer.

We are committed to a workplace free of discrimination and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations; if you need an accommodation during the application process, contact [e-mail].