Nuclear Waste Engineer

About Deep Isolation

Deep Isolation is a leading innovator in nuclear waste disposal, providing a safe and cost-effective solution to the world’s unresolved problem of how to dispose of spent fuel and high-level radioactive waste (HLW) using deep boreholes. Deep Isolation was founded in Berkeley, California in 2016 and expanded in 2020 with the opening of a UK-based subsidiary to cover sales and delivery in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. We have government customers and prospects in the US, UK, EU, Asia, and the Middle East, and have additional subsidiaries such as Freestone Environmental Services. Our growing team of employees and associates works remotely, meeting in person 3-4 times per year; while the Deep Isolation segment operates without a physical office, the Freestone segment maintains one.

The company values scientific integrity, operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and entrepreneurial spirit. Candidates will join a fast-paced, mission-driven start-up company transitioning into the public markets. This is an opportunity to work with a collaborative team on one of the world’s most important environmental challenges in a flexible and empowering remote culture emphasizing accountability, teamwork, and innovation.

Position Summary

We are seeking one or more applicants to join our Engineering team to assist in the development and demonstration of our borehole disposal system for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and HLW. This full-time, US-based position is primarily remote and reports to the Executive VP of Engineering.

This role includes:

1. Contributing to the development and execution of a borehole demonstration program, providing expertise on equipment design, fabrication, interaction, procedures, and implementation in a non-radioactive demonstration.
2. Leading technical aspects of client-facing consultancy and grant-funded R&D projects, interfacing with internal teams and strategic partners.
3. Advancing the company’s long-term technology roadmap: refining product designs, developing new ones based on market need and efficiency, and raising technology readiness levels through or alongside the demonstration program.
4. Supporting prioritized sales opportunities with technical input.

This highly visible role requires collaboration across the company and coordination with external partners across multiple organizations, including universities and national labs. It offers ample opportunities to grow professionally in a fast-paced environment.

Core Functions

• Manage technical projects in collaboration with universities, government bodies, national labs, and industry.
• Apply project management principles to multiple complex technical projects to meet both technical and business objectives.
• Develop operational concepts aligned with safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Integrate manufacturing and technology readiness into component and process design.
• Assist with business development efforts, including technical input to proposals, work scopes, plans, and risk assessments.
• Maintain engineering design and quality standards.
• Establish and maintain cost models for the deployment of deep borehole disposal technology.
• Support Quality Assurance system enhancements as technology matures.
• Represent the company at conferences and other events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Experience managing complex technical projects, including scope, risk, communication, scheduling, and budgeting.
• Experience designing, licensing, building, and commissioning civil or nuclear systems.
• Knowledge in at least one of: repository performance, nuclear fuel cycle analysis, waste treatment, reprocessing, transport, or storage.
• Familiarity with cost modeling for large, first-of-a-kind technologies.
• Ability to solve complex problems amid uncertainty and constraints.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with probabilistic risk assessment, safety analysis, or licensing of nuclear systems is a plus.
• Understanding of design, fabrication, testing, qualification, and deployment processes is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Teams; scheduling software (e.g., MS Project) preferred.

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in Mechanical, Civil, or Nuclear Engineering, or related fields such as Physics or Computer Science; or equivalent education and experience.
• Five or more years of relevant experience.
• Experience in the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle preferred.
• Three or more years managing large projects.

Other

• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently in a remote team
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively collaborate in a dynamic team environment.
• Adaptability in a fast-paced, startup environment.
• Ability to manage deadlines and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to travel domestically or internationally.

Deep Isolation is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy or any other protected characteristic as outline by federal, state, or local laws.