Director - Nuclear Engineering

Job description

**About Thea Energy:** Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in stellarator physics and engineering to create a faster and simpler approach to commercializing fusion energy. The company is reinventing the stellarator using computer-controlled arrays of planar coils thereby replacing the intricate, complex modular magnets required in all other stellarator architectures. Thea Energy is on a mission to create a limitless source of zero emission energy for a sustainable future. **Position Overview:** Thea Energy is hiring for a Director - Nuclear Engineering to lead our nuclear engineering team. This role will orchestrate the nuclear design and safety parameters essential to our first-of-a-kind integrated fusion system. You will be responsible for effectively leading and managing the day-to-day nuclear engineering program. Your efforts will directly contribute to the organization's success by ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient nuclear designs. Thea Energy’s dynamic team is made up of self-motivated individuals with an excitement for solving complex problems. ### Key Responsibility Areas: - Lead and grow a world-class team of nuclear engineers working on the cutting edge of commercial fusion power technology. - Direct the nuclear design of fusion systems, including blanket, shield, bioshield, and fuel cycle. - Manage the nuclear aspects of the system facility, including tracking and engineering the cascade of high-energy particles, managing activation products, and calculating dose rates. - Interface all aspects of safety, regulatory compliance, and environmental standards for the fusion device and facility. - Build organizational capabilities by recruiting and retaining talent, mentoring, and fostering professional growth. - Proactively collaborate and communicate with engineering system owners to prioritize and align development and execution with design schedules. - Be accountable for the quality and accuracy of the team's nuclear engineering work, reports, and presentations. ### Ideal Experience & Skillsets: - MS or PhD in nuclear engineering. - 15+ years of work experience in nuclear engineering or a similar technical field. - Proven leadership experience in cutting-edge nuclear projects, such as fission reactor projects (e.g. small modular reactors, molten salt reactors, fast reactors, Gen-IV reactors) or accelerator projects. - Demonstrated experience thriving in a startup environment, with a track record of successfully building and managing teams. - Strong analytical skills and an understanding of the first principles of engineering. - A proven ability to motivate and catalyze teams into action through influence and strong leadership. - Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex business needs into technical solutions. ### Company Benefits: - Salary range: $160,000-$230,000 - Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision) - Employee equity stock options - 20 days PTO