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JOB TITLE:  Systems Engineer of Space Nuclear Systems

DIVISION:  Advanced Technologies

CLASS TYPE:  Full-time

LOCATION OF WORK & TRAVEL: Seattle, WA, with some travel

DESCRIPTION:  USNC-Tech is looking for a full-time Systems Engineer to lead systems engineering and contribute to the successful execution of projects that include the development of commercial RTGs, space-based power systems, and nuclear thermal propulsion.

This role, reporting to the Systems Lead and working closely with the Project Lead and Project Chief Engineer, will build and execute the practice of systems engineering at USNC-Tech. Ours is a small and rapidly growing team, so your work will help establish company processes and shape the work of USNC-Tech system engineers to come.

The successful candidate will own the design at a system level, understanding requirements, tracking key performance parameters, communicating across interfaces, mitigating risk, developing project plans, and leading a multidisciplinary team through the process from design to operation.

In this role, you will bring expertise and prior experience in establishing a systematic and disciplined approach to the full engineering life cycle including customer-facing requirements development, product development, manufacturing, testing, validation, and deployment. You will paint the “big picture” of the system to guide technical decisions and make sure our product achieves stakeholder requirements.

The product you contribute to will need to meet internal quality management standards and will be ultimately evaluated by an external regulator before an authorization is given to assemble, commission, and operate. This position will be responsible for producing a technical design and analysis package that will exceed the standards and requirements expected by the external regulator.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaboratively lead the integrated system design of a ground-based demonstration and eventual space-based deployment of the nuclear power and propulsion technologies
• Develop the concept of operations, a user needs assessment and other aspects of systems engineering
• Build requirements traceability matrixes (RTM) for space-based nuclear products and systems
• Generate and manage interface control documents (ICDs) for key systems and interact with suppliers, NASA, DOE, DoD, to ensure complex systems successfully come together and function as required
• Manage validation and verification activities for these requirements through the design, testing, and qualification phases.
• Develop test plans, design test infrastructure, and execute tests during development test campaigns
• Contribute to efforts to build/assemble/create world-first hardware, testing, and data collection solutions
• Lead risk management activities, including fault tree analysis, and failure modes, effects, and causation analysis (FMECA)
• Track key performance and design parameters. For example, track system mass in accordance with the ANSI S-120A-2015 Standard (Mass Properties Control for Space Systems).
• Provide engineering perspective to program management activities, estimate resource utilization and needs, and help build a program plan to manage the product development
• Document design decisions and write technical reports

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, Nuclear Engineering, or equivalent
• 5 or more years of experience directly engaged in systems engineering activities (as broadly defined by NASA/SP-6105 or INCOSE) in the aerospace or nuclear engineering field
• Experience in full life-cycle development (concept through verification) of mechanical system hardware within a complex system or product, with a strong preference for nuclear, power
• Proven ability to drive effective and self-supportive teams toward evidence-based engineering decisions.
• Experience with relational requirements management databases, such as Teamcenter MBSE, DOORS-RM, Jama, or other comparable programs
• Familiarity or experience with nuclear reactors and power plants and/or propulsion technologies such as resistojets, hall current thrusters, gridded ion thrusters, and nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP)
• Commitment to an inclusive and collaborative team environment
• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information to high-level stakeholders and customers
• Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated by proactively identifying, prioritizing, and executing tasks in a fast-moving environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience performing fault tree analysis, particularly as defined in NUREG-0492, or later Aerospace Applications revision.
• Proficiency with SysML and Models Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
• Experience with spacecraft and propulsion trade studies, design, and systems engineering
• Experience or familiarity with nuclear regulatory and licensing processes and practices
• Experience or familiarity with FAA launch licensing processes and practices
• Experience in hands-on hardware design, analysis, prototyping, fabrication, and assembly
• Writing winning proposals to NASA and/or DoD customers

FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

• Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?  
• Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for an immigration-related employment benefit (e.g., H-1B, TN, green card, etc.)?

TO APPLY:  Please include the following in your application:

• Cover Letter 
• Resume

EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS: To confirm to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT:  USNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with USNC is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

ABOUT ULTRA SAFE NUCLEAR:  Based in Seattle, Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) develops nuclear hardware and services for 0 carbon, reliable energy anywhere on Earth and in space.  USNC offers full-stack capabilities including specialized reactor design services, advanced materials and fuel development, and reactor manufacturing and system deployment. 

USNC has offices in the U.S., Canada, France, Korea, Poland, South Africa, the U.K. and more.