Reactor Components Design Lead
Nuclear industryUS only
About this role
TerraPower seeks a Reactor Components Design Lead to direct the mechanical design of reactor components and structures for the Natrium advanced sodium-cooled fast reactor project. You'll lead a geographically diverse engineering team through all phases of design—from requirements through fabrication—while coordinating across disciplines and managing complex technical challenges in advanced nuclear reactor development.
Responsibilities
- —Coordinate geographically diverse design team (TerraPower employees, subcontractors, suppliers, customers) to develop reactor equipment design and supporting engineering documentation
- —Lead design activities of integral reactor components from requirements specification through final design, fabrication, and assembly
- —Develop and oversee component analyses including thermal, seismic, structural, creep, and radiation shielding performed by team members
- —Perform technical review and oversight of engineering products and ensure integration with overall reactor design
- —Design to and comply with project codes of record, including ASME BPVC Section III Division 5
- —Interface with component fabricators and reactor assembler to incorporate design for manufacturability and assembly criteria, including manufacturing sequences and modularization
- —Evaluate application of regulatory criteria, codes, standards, industry guidance, and design programs to complex mechanical design challenges
- —Lead creation and revision of drawing packages supporting design analysis, manufacturing, fabrication, and interfaces
- —Interface with design disciplines (mechanical, instrumentation and controls, civil, nuclear) to identify and develop detailed equipment interface controls and design criteria envelopes
- —Provide technical direction and oversight of supplier activities and perform technical reviews of deliverables
- —Propose and facilitate testing programs for equipment qualification; provide support and oversight during test execution, evaluate test results, and report findings
- —Lead planning efforts and manage detailed schedule activity execution for design activities within and across organizational boundaries
- —Interface with and support licensing activities associated with Safety Analysis Reports and regulatory submittals
- —Lead design reviews for major milestones to verify compliance and completeness of design
Qualifications
- —B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline from an accredited university
- —10+ years direct experience with proven mechanical systems design skills
- —Demonstrated experience leading mechanical design of complex structures and equipment in high-temperature, multi-discipline integration environments
- —Working knowledge of ASME Section III Code
- —Excellent technical writing, communication, and presentation skills
- —Self-starter with ability to coordinate and lead design teams with minimal direction
- —Ability to manage design activities with competing objectives and constraints, and resolve conflicts between objectives
- —Experience working to quality standards such as ASME NQA-1 or ISO 9001
- —High degree of trust and integrity with open communication and commitment to teamwork
- —Meet ANSI/ANS 3.1 qualification requirements
Desired
- —Previous experience with nuclear mechanical components, nuclear reactor equipment, or similar design
- —Experience in high-temperature mechanical systems design
Job details
LocationBellevue, Washington, United States
IndustryNuclear energy
PostedJul 2026
Skills & Tools
ASME CodesASME NQA-1Ansi/ans 3.1Sodium-cooled Fast ReactorThermal AnalysisStructural Analysis
About the company
TerraPower →A nuclear innovation company founded by Bill Gates, building the Natrium sodium-cooled fast reactor and advancing medical isotope production.
Careers page ↗Reactor Components Design Lead
TerraPower