Licensing Engineer

About the role

Aalo Atomics is seeking a skilled Licensing Engineer to lead and support licensing, regulatory strategy, and safety-basis development for advanced nuclear reactor projects, with emphasis on Non-Light Water Reactors (non-LWRs) and DOE/NRC-regulated facilities. The role applies risk-informed, performance-based (RIPB) methods (including NEI 18‑04/Licensing Modernization Project approaches), integrates PRA insights, and ensures compliance with NRC and DOE requirements throughout design, construction, and operation.

What you'll do

Licensing Basis & Methodology

• Lead or contribute to development of the project licensing basis using RIPB approaches and the Licensing Modernization Project (LMP) methodology (NEI 18‑04 and related guidance).
• Establish and maintain the safety-focused design and licensing basis consistent with DOE/NRC expectations.

Event Selection & Safety Analyses

• Select and evaluate Licensing Basis Events (LBEs) (AOOs, DBEs, BDBEs) and assess them against Frequency–Consequence (F–C) targets.
• Perform or oversee deterministic safety analyses to demonstrate compliance with applicable regulatory limits (e.g., 10 CFR 50.34) and document results in PSAR/FSAR or other licensing submittals.

SSC Safety Classification & Design Interface

• Classify Structures, Systems, and Components (SSCs) into SR, NSRST, or NST categories, and define applicable codes, quality standards, and special treatments for design, fabrication, erection, testing, and procurement.
• Work with design authorities and engineering teams to ensure design control, traceability to the design/licensing basis, and proper change management.

Defense‑in‑Depth & Risk Assessment

• Conduct risk‑informed/performance‑based evaluations of Defense‑in‑Depth (DID) adequacy and ensure multiple layers of protection are incorporated in design and programmatic features.
• Integrate Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) models and insights into LBE selection, design decisions, and safety cases.

Regulatory Submissions & Stakeholder Interaction

• Prepare, review, and manage licensing documents and technical reports (PSARs, FSARs, License Amendment Requests, COL/ML/ESP/CP/OL/SDAs as applicable).
• Engage with NRC staff (pre-application and formal reviews), DOE oversight, vendors, national laboratories, and other stakeholders to present technical and regulatory arguments.

Program & Procedure Support

• Support development of operational programs, QA implementation (10 CFR 50, App. B where applicable), technical specifications, and training/qualification plans.
• Provide technical justification for exemptions or departures, when needed, backed by RIPB analyses.

Communication & Teamwork

• Prepare clear technical reports and presentations; lead or participate in Integrated Decision‑Making Process Panels (IDPP) or equivalent review boards.
• Mentor junior staff and coordinate multidisciplinary teams to meet licensing milestones.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical, Fire Protection, or closely related engineering/science field.

Experience

• Licensing Engineer: typically 2+ years of relevant nuclear industry experience with at least 1 year in nuclear operations/design or technical support.
• Senior Licensing Engineer: 5+ years of progressive experience in nuclear licensing, design, operations, or safety analysis with demonstrated involvement in NRC/DOE regulatory processes.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong understanding of nuclear reactor fundamentals (reactor theory, heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics) and reactor systems.
• Demonstrated proficiency with PRA methodologies and applications for licensing and safety analyses.
• Familiarity with instrumentation & control (I&C) architectures and seismic qualification standards (e.g., ASCE/SEI 43‑19, ASME QME‑1, DOE/EH‑0545) and equipment qualification processes.

Regulatory & DOE Knowledge

• Comprehensive understanding of U.S. nuclear regulations, particularly 10 CFR Parts 50 and 52; familiarity with Parts 73 and 100 preferred.
• Specific knowledge of 10 CFR 50.69 and risk‑informed SSC categorization methods.
• Awareness of applicable DOE requirements and standards (e.g., 10 CFR 830, 10 CFR 835, 10 CFR 851, DOE O 420.1, DOE O 426.2, DOE‑STD‑1271‑2025, DOE‑STD‑1027 series).

Skills

• Excellent technical writing and oral communication for regulatory submittals and stakeholder interactions.
• Strong analytical problem‑solving ability; experience applying RIPB tradeoffs to justify design and program decisions.
• Ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams and to lead or participate in technical review panels.
• Proficiency with common engineering analysis tools and PRA software (tool experience specified by employer).

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in a relevant discipline.
• Direct experience with non‑LWR or advanced reactor licensing efforts.
• Prior interaction experience with the NRC or DOE regulatory reviews.
• Experience with quality assurance programs in nuclear projects and construction oversight.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license or equivalent certifications.

Requirements

• Based in the United States
• Willing to work on-site in Austin, TX

What We Offer

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Corporate Gym Membership

Additional Information

• 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.
• Direct applicants only. No recruiters or staffing agencies, please.

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