Chief Nuclear Engineer

TerraPower•Bellevue, WA

About The Position

TerraPower is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced nuclear reactor research and development and influencing change within the nuclear power landscape and bringing forward the critical production of medical isotopes. TerraPower is seeking a Chief Nuclear Engineer who provides comprehensive technical oversight and strategic direction for all engineering activities across the Natrium program, ensuring seamless integration of multi-disciplinary engineering efforts and maintaining the highest standards of technical excellence in Natrium reactor development and deployment. This position will work closely with other Natrium leadership and will report directly to the Natrium SVP.

Requirements

B.S. or higher in engineering from an accredited university (advanced degree preferred)
Minimum 20 years of progressive engineering experience in the commercial nuclear power industry
At least 10 years in senior engineering management roles with personnel responsibilities
Comprehensive understanding of nuclear plant construction, commissioning, and operations
Advanced knowledge of nuclear quality programs, design control, and configuration management
Experience with new plant construction efforts, preferably including advanced reactor technologies
Familiarity with the Licensing Modernization Project (LMP, NEI 18-04) framework
Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and NRC interaction processes
Experience with plant delivery and construction management interfaces
High degree of trust, integrity, and professional ethics
Exceptional communication skills with ability to interface effectively at all organizational levels
Strong decision-making capabilities with sound technical and business judgment
Ability to foster teamwork and build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups
Commitment to safety culture and technical excellence
Strategic mindset with ability to balance long-term vision with near-term execution
Results-oriented with strong accountability for deliverables

Responsibilities

Design Authority: o Serves as the overall design authority for the Natrium technology o Develop and maintain design authority capability o Set and maintain the standard of excellence for nuclear safety in engineered products, processes and people.
Strategic Leadership: o Establish and maintain technical strategies in partnership with project leadership o Represent engineering disciplines in decision-making and change control processes o Drive integration and coordination across all engineering disciplines o Provide senior level consulting support to multiple project design completion efforts and product development activities o Provide technical advisement to TerraPower executive staff
Technical Oversight: o Provide comprehensive technical oversight across all engineering disciplines including mechanical, electrical, I&C, structural, nuclear, systems, and civil engineering o Ensure technical consistency and integration across all engineering deliverables o Approve highly cross-functional technical deliverables and resolve technical conflicts between disciplines o Establish and maintain a network of subject matter experts across all engineering disciplines o Develop and lead process for technical difference of opinion and arbitration o Guide resolution of complex technical issues and risks critical to project success
Team Management: o Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Chief Engineers to provide design authority functions across all natrium technology areas with emphasis on nuclear safety, design product quality, and timeliness of delivery o Foster collaboration and effective communication between engineering disciplines o Coordinate resource allocation and workload balancing for Chief Engineers
Stakeholder Management: o Represents TerraPower in senior technical capacity facing significant external stakeholders such NRC, utilities, and major technology suppliers. o Support licensing activities and regulatory interactions for all engineering disciplines