About Aalo Atomics

Aalo Atomics is pioneering a new era in clean energy with factory-fabricated microreactors designed to deliver affordable, scalable, and reliable nuclear power. Our mission is to make nuclear energy globally accessible, starting with the Aalo-1, a 10 MWe reactor leveraging cutting-edge safety, modularity, and efficiency. Based in Austin, TX, we’re rapidly growing as we work to deploy the world’s first fleet of advanced microreactors. Join us and help revolutionize energy for a sustainable future.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Engineer to join our advanced reactor development team. This position focuses on designing and implementing first-of-a-kind digital control systems for next-generation nuclear facilities. The successful candidate will lead I&C projects from conceptual design through commissioning, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to pioneer safe and innovative control solutions for advanced reactor technologies.

What you'll do

Control Systems Design & Implementation

• Lead the design and implementation of safety-critical instrumentation and control systems for nuclear facilities
• Develop detailed system specifications, control logic, and hardware requirements for DCS and PLC-based control systems
• Configure and optimize control loops for various nuclear processes
• Ensure compliance with nuclear safety standards (IEEE, IEC, NRC & DOE requirements)

Project Leadership

• Lead I&C design teams through all project phases from conceptual design to startup
• Collaborate with reactor physics and thermal-hydraulics teams to develop integrated control strategies
• Drive design decisions for advanced digital control platforms and architectures
• 1Coordinate with equipment vendors for prototype development and testing
• Manage technical interfaces between I&C and other engineering disciplines

System Integration & Testing

• Develop comprehensive system integration and testing strategies for new reactor designs
• Lead factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT) activities
• Design and oversee control system validation using simulation and modeling tools
• Establish testing protocols for first-of-a-kind control systems
• Support startup testing and initial criticality operations

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure all I&C systems meet nuclear quality assurance requirements (10 CFR 50 Appendix B)
• Develop test procedures and acceptance criteria for control system validation
• Maintain compliance with NRC regulations and industry standards
• Participate in regulatory audits and inspections
• Document technical evaluations and engineering changes per QA requirements

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Nuclear, or Control Systems Engineering
• Strong knowledge of PLCs and programming languages (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider) with DCS experience
• Experience with nuclear safety-related systems and regulations (IEEE 603, IEC 61513) and Balance of Plant (BOP) systems
• Proficiency in control system programming and configuration
• Understanding of nuclear plant processes and safety systems
• Experience with SCADA systems and industrial networks
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent project management and leadership skills

Preferred

• 5-8 years of experience in nuclear I&C systems
• Professional Engineering (PE) license
• Master’s degree in relevant engineering field
• Experience with advanced reactor design projects
• Knowledge of cybersecurity requirements for new nuclear facilities
• Familiarity with advanced instrumentation and smart sensors
• Experience with model-based design and simulation tools
• Experience with commercial grade dedication (CGD) NEI 17-06
• Background in advanced control theory and algorithms

Physical

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds of equipment and tools