Nuclear Engineer (SMR / MMR Reactor Design, Licensing & Safety Programs)

About BaRupOn LLC

BaRupOn LLC is a vertically integrated American company with operations spanning energy, healthcare, and infrastructure, headquartered in Irvine, California. BaRupOn is actively developing Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) technologies for deployment across the United States, with a mission to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative clean energy solutions that accelerate decarbonization and strengthen domestic energy security.

Position Overview

BaRupOn LLC is seeking talented and technically driven Nuclear Engineers to join its growing SMR and MMR development team. This is a hands-on engineering role at the heart of BaRupOn's reactor programs, spanning reactor design, safety analysis, NRC licensing support, and operational compliance.

This position is open to candidates across experience levels — from mid-level engineers with foundational nuclear industry experience to senior engineers with deep SMR/MMR, licensing, or safety analysis expertise. The right candidate brings technical rigor, a commitment to nuclear safety, and the drive to help design and build next-generation reactor systems from the ground up.

Nuclear Engineers at BaRupOn will work directly under the CTO and CNO, contributing across multiple technical workstreams and growing with the organization as the program scales.

Key Responsibilities

Reactor Design and Engineering

• Support the design, development, and optimization of SMR and MMR reactor systems, including core design, thermal hydraulics, neutronics, and fuel cycle analysis.
• Perform engineering calculations, simulations, and design analyses to support reactor development and licensing submissions.
• Contribute to system integration across nuclear, mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation and controls (I&C) disciplines.
• Ensure all design work complies with applicable U.S. nuclear codes and standards, including ASME BPVC, ANSI, and IEEE standards.
• Support the development and maintenance of design basis documentation, technical specifications, and engineering change packages.

NRC Licensing and Regulatory Support

• Assist in the preparation, review, and submission of NRC licensing documentation, including:
• Safety Analysis Reports (SAR / FSAR)
• Probabilistic Risk Assessments (PRA)
• Environmental Reports (ER) in compliance with NEPA
• Requests for Additional Information (RAI) responses
  

• Support pre-application engagement activities and technical interactions with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
• Ensure engineering work products are prepared in compliance with 10 CFR Parts 50, 52, and the emerging Part 53 framework for advanced reactors.
• Maintain thorough documentation of engineering analyses and design decisions to support licensing traceability.

Safety Analysis and Probabilistic Risk Assessment

• Perform deterministic and probabilistic safety analyses to support reactor design and licensing, including loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA), transient, and beyond-design-basis event analyses.
• Develop and maintain PRA models, including initiating event analysis, fault trees, and event trees.
• Support the development and maintenance of the safety case, ensuring design margins are maintained and safety functions are preserved.
• Identify and assess design vulnerabilities, recommend mitigation strategies, and support risk-informed decision-making.

Operations, Compliance, and Quality Assurance

• Support the development of operational procedures, surveillance test instructions, and technical specifications aligned with NRC requirements.
• Participate in the Corrective Action Program (CAP), identifying and resolving conditions adverse to quality in accordance with 10 CFR 50 Appendix B.
• Support operational readiness reviews, pre-startup assessments, and post-modification testing activities.
• Ensure all engineering work is performed and documented in compliance with the Company's nuclear quality assurance program.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical field. Master's degree or PhD preferred for senior-level candidates.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in the U.S. nuclear industry for mid-level candidates; 8 or more years for senior-level candidates.
• Working knowledge of U.S. nuclear regulations, including:
  • 10 CFR Part 50 – Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities
  • 10 CFR Part 52 – Licenses, Certifications, and Approvals
  • 10 CFR Part 53 – Risk-Informed, Technology-Inclusive framework (familiarity preferred)
• Experience in at least one of the following technical areas: reactor physics and neutronics, thermal hydraulics, safety analysis, PRA modeling, or nuclear I&C systems.
• Familiarity with nuclear engineering software tools such as RELAP, TRACE, MCNP, SCALE, MELCOR, or equivalent.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the United States. Must be eligible to obtain applicable DOE and/or NRC security clearances.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with SMR, micro modular reactor, advanced reactor, or Generation IV reactor design or analysis.
• Experience supporting NRC licensing submittals, RAI responses, or design certification activities.
• Experience developing or reviewing Safety Analysis Reports (SAR/FSAR) or Probabilistic Risk Assessments (PRA).
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in a relevant discipline – preferred for senior candidates.
• Experience with passive safety systems, digital I&C design, or modular construction methodologies.
• Active membership in the American Nuclear Society (ANS) or other U.S. nuclear professional organizations.
• Experience with DOE national laboratory programs or advanced reactor demonstration initiatives.

Travel Requirements

This role requires occasional domestic travel, estimated at 10 to 20% annually, including NRC engagement activities, site visits, national laboratory collaborations, and industry conferences.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience level and qualifications.
• Performance-based bonus program.
• Equity participation in BaRupOn LLC, subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off, sick leave, and Company-observed holidays in accordance with applicable law and Company policy.
• 401(k) or retirement savings plan, subject to plan terms and eligibility periods.
• Relocation assistance considered for qualified candidates.

Why BaRupOn

• Work on one of the most technically challenging and nationally significant clean energy programs in the United States.
• Contribute directly to the design and development of next-generation SMR and MMR reactor systems from the ground up.
• Collaborate with and learn from senior nuclear executives and technical leaders with deep NRC licensing and advanced reactor experience.
• Grow with the organization as the program scales from development to licensing to deployment.
• Competitive compensation with equity upside tied to program and company milestones.

Equal Opportunity Statement

BaRupOn LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.