Senior Licensing Engineer

The Nuclear Company is the fastest growing AI tech-enabled startup in the nuclear and energy space, pioneering a fleet-scale approach to building the next generation of nuclear reactors. Through our design-once, build-many model, we're accelerating the deployment of safe, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy.

We operate with an AI-first mindset. Every employee is expected to leverage AI, technology, and the Nuclear Operating System (NOS) as integral components of their role to improve the quality, speed, and impact of their work. We expect every team member to continuously identify opportunities to automate workflows, enhance decision-making, improve processes, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of NOS as a strategic operating capability that enables The Nuclear Company to scale with excellence.

We hire people who are driven by purpose, thrive in ambiguity, and are energized by building what has never been built before. Our team combines intellectual curiosity with high agency, embraces candid feedback and continuous learning, and holds themselves and others to exceptional standards. Our values—Transparency, Responsibility, Unity, Scrappiness, and Tenacity—guide how we hire, collaborate, and make decisions every day. They are not words on a wall; they are the standard by which we operate. TRUST is the foundation of our safety culture, fostering intellectual honesty, accountability, and open communication, while our values challenge every team member to execute with urgency, humility, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to our mission.

About the role
The Nuclear Company is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Sr. Licensing Engineer to join our Regulatory team in Columbia, South Carolina. This role will be responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and maintenance of licensing strategies and documents to ensure compliance with all applicable nuclear regulatory requirements.

The Sr. Licensing Engineer will play a crucial role in navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the nuclear energy industry. Reporting to the Director of Licensing, this position will involve interpreting regulations, preparing licensing submittals, interacting with regulatory agencies, and ensuring the company's activities are conducted in accordance with all applicable licenses, permits, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Licensing Document Development & Maintenance:
  • Prepare, review, and revise licensing documents, including license applications, amendments, technical specifications, safety analysis reports, environmental reports, and other regulatory submittals.
  • Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and technical adequacy of all licensing documents.
  • Maintain a thorough understanding of current licensing bases and regulatory commitments.
• Regulatory Interpretation & Analysis:
  • Interpret and analyze federal, state, and local regulations related to nuclear energy.
  • Assess the impact of new and revised regulations on the company's operations and licensing basis.
  • Provide guidance to internal stakeholders on regulatory requirements and licensing strategies.
• Regulatory Agency Interaction:
  • Prepare responses to regulatory inquiries and requests for additional information.
  • Participate in meetings and teleconferences with regulatory agencies (e.g., NRC).
  • Support regulatory inspections and audits.
  • Maintain positive and effective working relationships with regulatory personnel.
• Compliance Assurance:
  • Assist in the development and implementation of programs and procedures to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance.
  • Support internal audits and assessments to verify adherence to licensing commitments.
  • Track and manage regulatory commitments and action items.
• Technical Support:
  • Provide technical support to engineering, operations, and other departments on licensing-related matters.
  • Participate in the review of design changes and operational procedures to ensure consistency with the licensing basis.
  • Contribute to the development of technical justifications for licensing positions.
• Training & Awareness:
  • Assist in the development and delivery of training materials related to licensing requirements.
  • Promote a culture of regulatory awareness and compliance within the organization.

Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Nuclear, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, etc.) or a related scientific discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in engineering or a related technical field within the nuclear energy industry.
• Familiarity with nuclear regulations, licensing processes, and regulatory guidance documents (e.g., NRC regulations, NUREGs).
• Experience in preparing or reviewing licensing documents is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical information clearly and concisely.
• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on accuracy and completeness.
• Ability to interpret and apply regulations and technical standards.
• Ability to working independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valued but not required:
  • Advanced degree in Engineering or a related field.
  • Specific experience interacting with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
  • Familiarity with probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) and its application to licensing.
  • Knowledge of reactor systems, safety analysis, or environmental regulations related to nuclear energy.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation packages
• 401k with company match
• Medical, dental, vision plans
• Generous vacation policy, plus holidays

Estimated Starting Salary Range
The estimated starting salary range for this role is $150,000 - $173,000 annually less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. The actual salary offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined in the Company’s discretion, which may include experience, qualifications, tenure, skill set, availability of qualified candidates, geographic location, certifications held, and other criteria deemed pertinent to the particular role.

EEO Statement
The Nuclear Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an environment of inclusion in the workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, and termination.

Export Control
Certain positions at The Nuclear Company may involve access to information and technology subject to export controls under U.S. law. Compliance with these export controls may result in The Nuclear Company limiting its consideration of certain applicants.