Manager - Reactor Core Design
Software Engineering, Design
Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA
Posted on Jun 25, 2026
Position Summary
AMPERA is seeking a Manager, Reactor Core Design to lead the development of the company’s advanced subcritical reactor core while serving as a senior individual contributor within the reactor physics organization.
The successful candidate will provide technical leadership for reactor core design, neutronics analysis, fuel management strategy, reactor performance evaluation, and core optimization activities while directly performing reactor physics calculations and mentoring a growing team of reactor engineers.
This role combines technical leadership and hands-on engineering responsibility. The Manager, Reactor Core Design will lead the day-to-day execution of reactor core design activities while contributing directly to core modeling, analysis, and design development.
The position reports to the Vice President of Engineering.
Position Purpose
The Manager, Reactor Core Design is responsible for establishing and directing AMPERA’s reactor core design activities and developing the analytical foundation supporting the company’s reactor technology.
The role serves as the technical leader for reactor physics and core design while helping develop the next generation of reactor engineers within the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Reactor Core Design Leadership
- Lead development of AMPERA’s reactor core design.
- Define reactor physics methodologies, assumptions, and analysis approaches.
- Direct core design activities supporting reactor performance, safety, operability, and economics.
- Establish technical standards and best practices for reactor physics analyses.
- Mentor and develop reactor physics engineers.
Core Design and Analysis
- Perform and review reactor core design calculations.
- Develop and evaluate core loading strategies and fuel management approaches.
- Perform criticality, reactivity, power distribution, and neutron flux analyses.
- Evaluate design alternatives and optimization opportunities.
- Support development of reactor operating envelopes and performance characteristics.
Modeling and Simulation
- Develop, maintain, and review reactor physics models.
- Perform neutronics analyses using industry-standard tools.
- Establish model verification and validation processes.
- Support uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analyses.
- Develop methodologies supporting future licensing activities.
Safety and Licensing Support
- Support reactor safety analysis activities.
- Provide reactor physics input to accident analyses and design basis evaluations.
- Support development of licensing methodologies and technical documentation.
- Prepare technical reports supporting regulatory interactions.
Technical Leadership
- Lead a small team of reactor engineers.
- Review technical work products and analyses.
- Establish reactor physics processes and workflows.
- Support recruiting and development of future reactor engineering staff.
- Coordinate closely with thermal hydraulics, safety analysis, systems engineering, and fuel development teams.
Future Capability Development
- Support implementation of advanced analysis tools and methodologies.
- Evaluate emerging reactor physics technologies and approaches.
- Assist in development of future testing and validation programs.
- Support development of the company’s long-term reactor design capability.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering or closely related discipline.
- Minimum of 7 years of direct reactor core design experience.
- Demonstrated experience performing reactor physics and neutronics analyses.
- Extensive experience using SCALE and MCNP.
- Experience developing reactor core models and design methodologies.
- Strong understanding of reactor physics fundamentals and reactor core behavior.
- Experience reviewing and directing technical analyses.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering.
- 10+ years of reactor core design experience.
- Experience with OpenMC.
- Experience supporting reactor licensing activities.
- Experience with advanced reactor technologies.
- Experience with depletion, fuel cycle, and fuel management analyses.
- Experience mentoring and developing junior reactor engineers.
- Experience with uncertainty quantification and advanced modeling techniques.
Characteristics of the Successful Candidate
The successful candidate is both a technical leader and a practicing engineer.
They enjoy solving reactor physics problems, reviewing technical analyses, and mentoring younger engineers. They are comfortable moving between strategic technical discussions and detailed modeling work.
They maintain strong hands-on proficiency with reactor physics tools while providing leadership and direction to the reactor engineering team.
They are excited by the opportunity to help build a reactor design organization from an early-stage foundation and play a central role in developing a new reactor technology.
Success Metrics
- Development of a technically sound reactor core design.
- Establishment of reactor physics methodologies and standards.
- Successful development and mentoring of reactor engineering staff.
- Timely completion of core design analyses and milestones.
- High-quality technical documentation and models.
- Effective integration with safety, thermal hydraulics, fuel, and systems engineering activities.
- Creation of a scalable reactor physics capability supporting future licensing and deployment.
**Compensation for this position will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition to a competitive salary, Ampera offers a comprehensive benefits package, participation in the Company's equity program through Incentive Stock Options (ISOs), and relocation assistance for qualified candidates, where applicable.