Build Reliability Engineer

About this position

About Aalo Atomics

Aalo Atomics is pioneering a new era in clean energy with factory-fabricated microreactors designed to deliver affordable, scalable, and reliable nuclear power. Our mission is to make nuclear energy globally accessible, starting with the Aalo-1, a 10 MWe reactor leveraging cutting-edge safety, modularity, and efficiency. Based in Austin, TX, we're rapidly growing as we work to deploy the world's first fleet of advanced microreactors. Join us and help revolutionize energy for a sustainable future.

About the Role

As a Build Reliability Engineer at Aalo Atomics, you will own build-induced risk across the design, fabrication, assembly, inspection, and testing of reactor hardware. You will work hands-on with design engineers, manufacturing engineers, technicians, inspectors, test engineers, and suppliers to ensure that hardware is built correctly, performs as intended, and becomes more reliable with every build.

This role bridges design intent and factory execution. You will develop production and inspection strategies, identify manufacturing risks before hardware reaches the floor, investigate failures and nonconformances, and drive durable corrective actions into both designs and processes. Your scope will include welded structures, machined parts, pressure and fluid-system components, tooling, and complex mechanical assemblies. Success means reducing defects and escapes without slowing the pace of learning or production.

Key Responsibilities

• Own build-reliability risks for assigned hardware from design release through fabrication, assembly, inspection, test, and production ramp-up.
• Partner with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Test, Production, and Supply Chain to develop quality plans that identify key characteristics, process controls, inspection points, and acceptance evidence.
• Lead process failure mode and effects analyses (PFMEAs), build-readiness reviews, first-article planning, and production prove-outs for new or changed hardware.
• Develop and improve manufacturing, integration, assembly, welding, cleanliness, pressure-testing, and checkout processes; ensure critical processes are executed consistently across work centers and suppliers.
• Review designs for manufacturability, inspectability, and testability; identify unnecessary complexity and drive design or requirement changes that improve reliability and production readiness.
• Define clear work instructions, inspection strategies, tooling requirements, training needs, inspection processes, and data-collection plans for critical build processes.
• Monitor first-pass yield, defect and escape trends, rework, process capability, and other production data to identify emerging risks and prioritize improvements.
• Lead cross-functional investigations of production, inspection, and test failures using disciplined root-cause methods; implement and verify corrective actions that prevent recurrence.
• Coordinate immediate containment of suspect or nonconforming hardware with Quality and Production while preserving Quality Control's independent inspection and acceptance authority.
• Conduct recurring build-quality reviews to identify high-impact and repeat issues, communicate risk, and drive actions to closure.
• Support the qualification and control of special processes, measurement systems, tooling, and suppliers as applicable to assigned hardware.
• Maintain accurate, traceable engineering and production records in accordance with the Aalo Quality Manual and applicable nuclear quality requirements.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent hands-on technical experience.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, quality, or design engineering for complex hardware.
• Hands-on experience supporting the fabrication, assembly, integration, inspection, or testing of mechanical hardware.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, GD&T, and weld symbols.
• Demonstrated experience investigating hardware or process failures and implementing effective corrective actions.
• Experience developing or improving controlled work instructions, inspection plans, process controls, or manufacturing documentation.
• Ability to analyze production and quality data and translate findings into practical engineering action.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to drive cross-functional work to closure.
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and taking ownership in a fast-paced, hands-on factory environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in nuclear, aerospace, defense, automotive, semiconductor, or another regulated, high-reliability industry.
• Familiarity with nuclear quality and fabrication requirements such as NQA-1, 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, and applicable portions of ASME Sections III, V, or IX.
• Experience with welding, machining, forming, mechanical assembly, pressure testing, cleanliness controls, or nondestructive examination.
• Working knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, statistical process control, measurement system analysis, design of experiments, Lean/Six Sigma, 8D, or similar quality and problem-solution methods.
• Experience scaling hardware from prototype or first-of-a-kind builds into repeatable production.
• Experience with CAD, PLM, MES, or quality-management systems; proficiency with NX is a plus.
• Proficiency with SQL, Python, Power BI, or other data-analysis and visualization tools.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Comfortable working on the factory floor, in laboratories, and around active fabrication, assembly, inspection, and test operations.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and stand for extended periods.
• Ability to bend, crouch, kneel, climb stairs, and access hardware or tooling safely as needed.
• Ability and willingness to use required personal protective equipment and work in environments with elevated noise, heat, fumes, and moving equipment.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to supplier facilities, test sites, and Aalo's reactor site in Idaho.

Requirements

• Must be based in the United States.
• Must be willing to work on-site at our headquarters in Austin or Georgetown Texas.

What It Takes to Succeed at Aalo

We're building technology that will help reshape the future of energy. The pace is fast, the problems are difficult, and the expectations are high. Successful team members consistently demonstrate:

Extreme Ownership - You take responsibility for outcomes, not just tasks. You proactively identify problems, drive solutions, and follow through.

A Passion for Solving Hard Problems - You are energized by challenges that others avoid and enjoy finding practical solutions to complex technical issues.

A Sense of Urgency - You move quickly, make thoughtful decisions, and maintain momentum while balancing quality and execution.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on technical level
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off

Candidates only. No recruiters or agencies, please.

Additional Information

Aalo Atomics provides a collaborative and supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, intellectually challenging careers, and competitive compensation. Aalo Atomics is an equal opportunity employer and considers all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Persons in compliance with 10 CFR Part 810 and may not hold non-compliant foreign citizenships.