Last Energy seeks a Nuclear Controls Engineer to lead the development of control requirements for our pilot reactor systems. This role will guide instrumentation and operator interface design, ensuring safe, reliable, and responsive control performance.
The ideal candidate combines a deep understanding of reactor dynamics with practical controls engineering expertise. They'll also be capable of defining requirements, evaluating alternatives, and coordinating across technical disciplines.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Lead determination of reactor startup conditions, source location, and excore instrumentation requirements
Provide direct guidance to controls engineers on operator control needs and translate these into programming requirements
Evaluate reactor time constants and response speeds to ensure control systems meet safety and performance needs
Suggest and validate alternative control options where appropriate
Collaborate with reactor physics, safety, and operations teams to align controls with overall reactor performance and safety objectives
Support documentation and regulatory submissions related to control system design
Qualifications
3+ years of experience in nuclear controls, reactor physics, or related engineering fields
Bachelor’s degree or higher in nuclear engineering, controls engineering, or related discipline
Strong understanding of reactor startup, source location, and excore instrumentation
Experience defining operator control requirements and translating them into engineering or programming specifications
Knowledge of reactor time constants, control system responsiveness, and alternative control strategies
Excellent technical communication and documentation skills
Based in Austin, TX (or willing to relocate)