Senior Controls Systems Engineer (Nuclear Engineering)

TL;DR

Senior Controls Systems Engineer (Nuclear Engineering): Leading the design and validation of autonomous control systems for portable nuclear microreactors with an accent on algorithm development, modeling, and embedded implementation. Focus on designing tightly coupled control functions for reactivity, mass flow, and grid coordination to ensure system stability and safety.

Location: 100% onsite in El Segundo, CA. Visa sponsorship is not available. Employment is contingent upon compliance with U.S. export controls.

Salary: $158,000 – $219,450

Company

hirify.global is a startup building portable nuclear microreactors to provide fail-safe power for hospitals, data centers, and military bases.

What you will do

• Serve as the Responsible Engineer with full technical ownership of Kaleidos control systems, including generator and plant-level controls.
• Design subsystem architectures for reactor reactivity, electrical power conversion, and grid interface controls.
• Develop control algorithms, embedded software, and analytic models to derive requirements for components.
• Perform system-level modeling and analysis of coupled linear and nonlinear dynamics.
• Lead control system prototyping, simulation, hardware testing, and verification activities.
• Author technical documentation to support regulatory review and licensing of control systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor's and Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or Nuclear Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in dynamic system modeling and control algorithm development using MATLAB/Simulink.
• Deep expertise in classical control theory, including stability analysis, PID, and multivariable control.
• Hands-on experience designing controllers and observers for stochastic, linear, and nonlinear systems.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, CANOpen, and RS-422/485.
• Must be eligible to work in the US without sponsorship and comply with U.S. export controls.

Nice to have

• PhD in a relevant engineering or physics discipline.
• Experience with autonomous system diagnostics, including fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR).
• Expertise in permanent magnet synchronous motor control (FOC, VSM, sensorless techniques).
• Experience with turbomachinery (turbines, jet engines) or microgrid control.

Culture & Benefits

• Substantial incentive stock plan for all full-time employees.
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance with high coverage levels.
• Daily catered lunch, free snacks, and drinks.
• Flexible PTO policy and 8-weeks of paid parental leave.
• Modern headquarters located in El Segundo, CA.