Refueling Engineer

Company Description

Hadron Energy specializes in Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) development, design, and research based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a leading MMR developer, Hadron Energy is building factory-produced, transportable microreactors that provide 24/7 carbon-free power for data centers, government facilities, industrial sites, and remote communities. Our mission is to create a brighter, healthier, and more equitable energy future.

Senior/Principal Refueling Engineer – Role Description

This is a full-time role for a Senior/Principal Refueling Engineer, based in the San Francisco Bay Area or Remote. The position is ideal for candidates with strong mechanical engineering fundamentals and a track record of designing complex auxiliary mechanical equipment who are passionate about advancing safe, scalable nuclear technology.

You will work closely with our cross-functional team to lead the design and development of the refueling system and supporting auxiliary equipment for Hadron's micro modular reactor. This role focuses on the mechanical design of the refueling machine, fuel handling tools, transfer canisters, upenders, shielding, and associated tooling, covering everything required to move new and irradiated fuel safely between the reactor, transfer system, and storage in a fast-paced startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design, analysis, and development of refueling machines, fuel handling tools, grapples, transfer carts, upenders, shielded canisters, and associated auxiliary equipment.
• Develop functional and design requirements for fuel handling and refueling operations, including loads, kinematics, alignment tolerances, single-failure-proof handling, and shielding requirements.
• Perform mechanical analyses—including stress, fatigue, lifting, dropped-load, seismic, and dynamic analyses—using classical methods (Mathcad) and FEA tools (ANSYS, ABAQUS).
• Apply ANSI N14.6, ANSI/ANS-57 series, ASME NOG-1, ASME NUM-1, NUREG-0554 / 0612, and related standards for safety-related lifting and fuel handling equipment.
• Design tooling and procedures for new fuel receipt, in-vessel fuel movement, spent fuel transfer, dry/wet storage interface, and inspection operations.
• Develop interface control documents and coordinate with reactor internals, vessel, containment, building, and I&C teams to integrate refueling equipment into the overall plant.
• Develop and review general arrangement drawings, detailed component drawings, and fabrication documentation; support vendor engagement, build, and acceptance testing.
• Support development of refueling operating procedures, maintenance procedures, and human factors evaluations of refueling operations.
• Prepare and certify Design Specifications and review Design Reports for refueling and fuel handling equipment in accordance with applicable codes.
• Perform rigorous peer reviews per the engineering procedures, mentor junior engineers, and serve as a technical point of contact for refueling and fuel handling system design.

Required Qualifications and Skillsets

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 8 years (Senior) / 12+ years (Principal) of experience designing complex electromechanical equipment, with a strong focus on auxiliary, handling, or material-transfer systems. Nuclear fuel handling experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience taking auxiliary mechanical equipment from concept through detailed design, fabrication, and commissioning.
• Working knowledge of ANSI N14.6, ANSI/ANS-57.1 / 57.2 / 57.3, ASME NOG-1, ASME NUM-1, NUREG-0554, and NUREG-0612 for safety-related cranes, lifts, and fuel handling.
• Experience with ASME Section III, Section VIII, and AISC N690 as they apply to handling equipment, lifting devices, and component supports.
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, NX, Creo, or Inventor) and FEA (ANSYS, ABAQUS) for mechanism design, kinematics, and structural analysis.
• Hands-on experience with mechanisms involving precision actuation, alignment, remote handling, shielding, and contamination control.
• Experience working under stringent quality assurance programs such as ASME NQA-1, MIL-Q-9858A, or ISO-9000.
• Familiarity with single-failure-proof design, dropped-load analysis, and human factors considerations for nuclear refueling operations.
• Registered Professional Engineer (Mechanical), or ability to obtain active license within 6 months.
• Proficiency utilizing Mathcad and Python for engineering calculations and automation.
• Exceptional technical writing and oral communication skills; ability to lead vendors, internal reviews, and operations teams through complex mechanical design challenges.
• A high degree of integrity, a desire to foster teamwork, and a passion for solving the complex challenges of clean energy.