Site Design Engineering Lead Civil Engineer

Site Design Engineering Lead Civil Engineer

TerraPower is a nuclear technology company based in Bellevue, Washington. At its core, the company works to raise living standards globally through more affordable, secure, and environmentally friendly nuclear energy, along with innovations in medical isotopes to improve human health.

TerraPower is seeking to hire highly motivated professionals who are interested in advanced nuclear reactor research and development and influencing change within the nuclear power landscape, including the production of medical isotopes. TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Role Overview

The Site Design Engineering Lead Civil Engineer will lead and oversee the onsite civil engineering design team for the Natrium Demonstration Project, TerraPower's advanced sodium‑cooled fast reactor plant under construction near Kemmerer, Wyoming. This role is critical in ensuring engineering support aligns with construction, testing, startup, and turnover activities while maintaining compliance with design and licensing basis, nuclear safety standards, and project requirements. The position is based onsite at the Natrium Demonstration Project and reports to the Site Design Engineering Manager.

Responsibilities

• Lead onsite civil engineering team, including TerraPower employees and subcontracted resources.
• Oversee execution of all civil/structural design, field engineering, and review of deliverables to ensure compliance with design basis, licensing commitments, and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as primary onsite engineering interface for civil/structural issues with key stakeholders such as construction management, field engineering teams, licensing and regulatory affairs, quality assurance, the utility owner/operator, procurement, suppliers, and external regulators (e.g., NRC). Resolve technical and engineering issues efficiently.
• Manage priority conflicts and resource allocation across engineering tasks; collaborate with other team leads and, when necessary, elevate unresolved or high‑impact conflicts to senior leadership.
• Support Project Controls, Field Engineering, Construction, and Home Office to prioritize work activities for the construction schedule.
• Mentor engineers, identify training opportunities, and assign growth‑oriented tasks within the Natrium program scope.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and indoctrination of new engineers, ensuring alignment with project standards, nuclear quality programs, and site‑specific safety and security protocols.
• Ensure all work processes, technical outputs, and deliverables adhere to contract requirements, TerraPower project standards, industry standards, and nuclear regulatory expectations for quality, configuration management, and design control.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Civil Engineering from an accredited institution; advanced degree or professional engineering registration (PE) preferred.
• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive engineering experience, with at least 5–7 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Significant experience in nuclear facility design, construction support, or field engineering, preferably on large‑scale nuclear new‑build, demonstration, or advanced reactor projects.
• Experience interfacing with construction, procurement, quality, licensing, and regulatory entities to resolve complex onsite technical issues while maintaining schedule and safety priorities.
• Strong understanding of nuclear design and licensing basis requirements, configuration management, and quality assurance programs in regulated nuclear environments (e.g., 10 CFR 50, 10 CFR 52, NRC guidance).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and conflict‑resolution skills, with experience mentoring engineers and building high‑performing teams in high‑stakes environments.
• Ability to obtain and maintain site access and any required security clearances for work at a nuclear construction site.
• Familiarity with codes used in nuclear construction (e.g., NQA‑1, ASME Section III, VIII, B31.1, B31.3, ACI‑349, 318, AISC N690, 360, IEEE 603).

Job Functions

• Sitting for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands).
• Minimal physical exertion; ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Work in a visual and audio focused environment; stairs, typing/keyboard; standard and/or sitting environment >8 hours/day.
• Travel required 0‑10 %.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary Range: $165,091 – $247,637 (Wyoming State).
• Full‑time, competitive compensation.
• Short‑term incentive payments.
• Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Life and Disability, Gender‑Affirmation Benefits.
• 401(k) Plan.
• Generous Paid Time Off: 21 days annually and 10 paid holidays.
• Relocation Assistance.
• Professional and Educational Support Opportunities.

EEO Statement

TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. This is an open position and we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.