Safety Analysis Engineer

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.

This is a full-time role for a Senior/Principal Safety Analysis Engineer, based in the San Francisco Bay Area or Remote. This senior position is ideal for candidates with deep expertise in reactor thermal-hydraulics, transient and accident analysis, and nuclear safety analysis who are passionate about licensing the next generation of advanced reactors.

You will be responsible for leading the development and execution of Hadron's deterministic safety analyses, including design basis transient and accident analyses for the micro modular reactor. The role is centered on the application of system thermal-hydraulics codes (RELAP5 / RELAP5-3D and similar) to characterize plant response, define design and licensing basis events, and demonstrate that Hadron's design meets and exceeds all safety requirements.

• Develop, maintain, and execute RELAP5 / RELAP5-3D (and similar) plant models for steady-state, transient, and design basis accident (DBA) analyses of the Hadron MMR.
• Perform Chapter 15 transient and accident analyses, including loss of flow, loss of heat sink, reactivity insertion, loss of coolant, anticipated transients without scram (ATWS), and station blackout.
• Develop nodalization, model qualification, sensitivity, and uncertainty analyses consistent with RG 1.203 (EMDAP) and applicable code assessment practices.
• Define and document safety analysis acceptance criteria, success paths, and the licensing basis event (LBE) set in coordination with the PRA and licensing teams.
• Author FSAR Chapter 15 sections, technical specifications bases, and supporting topical reports; defend analyses during NRC pre-application and licensing interactions.
• Develop input decks, control logic, and trip/setpoint models reflecting plant protection system, ECCS, and engineered safety feature behavior.
• Interface with neutronics, fuel, fluids, mechanical, and I&C teams to integrate boundary conditions and confirm consistency of plant response.
• Perform code-to-code benchmarking and validation against separate-effects and integral-effects test data; support development and qualification of evaluation models.
• Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and lead reviews of safety analysis calculations, models, and reports.
• Act as a technical point of contact for thermal-hydraulic safety analysis, supporting cross-functional design decisions and licensing strategy.

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 8 years (Senior) / 12+ years (Principal) of experience in nuclear safety analysis, thermal-hydraulics, and transient/accident analysis.
• Hands‑on, production-level proficiency with RELAP5 / RELAP5-3D, including model development, nodalization, and execution of DBA analyses. Experience with TRACE, RETRAN, MELCOR, MAAP, SCDAP, or GOTHIC is a strong plus.
• Strong fundamental understanding of two-phase flow, critical heat flux, natural circulation, reactor kinetics, and reactor systems behavior.
• Demonstrated experience authoring Chapter 15 / FSAR safety analysis content and supporting NRC licensing under 10 CFR Part 50, Part 52, or Part 53.
• Familiarity with Regulatory Guide 1.203 (EMDAP), 10 CFR 50.46, Appendix K, and the Licensing Modernization Project (LMP) / NEI 18-04 approach for non-LWRs.
• Experience with code assessment, validation, and uncertainty quantification (BEPU / CSAU) methodologies.
• Experience working under stringent quality assurance programs such as ASME NQA-1.
• Proficiency utilizing Python, MATLAB, and/or Fortran for input deck automation, post-processing, and uncertainty studies.
• Experience with advanced reactor or non-LWR safety analysis (e.g., SMRs, HTGRs, MSRs, sodium fast reactors) is a major plus.
• Exceptional technical writing and oral communication skills; ability to clearly defend complex technical conclusions to internal and external reviewers.
• A high degree of integrity, a desire to foster teamwork, and a passion for solving the complex challenges of clean energy.