Nuclear Design Safety Engineer

About the role

You will own the nuclear safety strategy for stellarator systems, ensuring that radiological protection is embedded within every design decision. You will act as the primary interface between the engineering design teams and nuclear safety authorities, translating complex regulatory requirements into practical design constraints. This position requires you to anticipate potential failure modes and their radiological consequences before they reach the detailed engineering stage. You will leverage advanced computational tools to model neutron transport and activation, directly shaping the physical configuration of next-generation fusion devices. Your analysis will provide the evidence base that allows the team to innovate confidently while maintaining the highest safety standards. You will champion a safety-first culture, influencing workflows and design reviews to prevent complacency and encourage rigorous verification. Ultimately, your work will be a direct contributor to achieving regulatory acceptance and proving that stellarator technology is ready for commercial deployment.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Review complex stellarator component designs through a nuclear safety lens, identifying latent risks and proposing robust engineering controls.
• Engage proactively with physics and engineering teams during the early concept phases to embed nuclear safety requirements into the foundational design parameters.
• Collaborate closely with neutronics experts and material scientists to establish strict limits on impurity migration under intense neutron irradiation conditions.
• Analyze severe accident scenarios specific to fusion environments, developing credible mitigations that protect both personnel and critical infrastructure.
• Support the development of safety cases and the compilation of regulatory submissions, ensuring all documentation meets the expectations of authorities.
• Develop and maintain detailed procedures for tritium handling, managing activated materials, and minimizing waste throughout the component lifecycle.
• Train engineering and technical staff on advanced radiation safety practices, including the implementation of nuclear-qualified welding protocols and controls.
• Provide clear, technically sound justifications for design modifications, aligning them with quantified risk analysis and regulatory acceptance criteria.
• Translate sophisticated analysis outputs, such as three-dimensional neutronics dose maps, into specific, actionable design guidance for mechanical engineers.
• Conduct in-depth supporting analyses using tools like OpenMC to model activation and dose distributions, evidencing the safety benefits of design iterations.
• Lead the creation and refinement of operational procedures, ensuring they are compatible with the stringent requirements of nuclear regulatory and inspection frameworks.
• Perform comprehensive Failure Modes and Effects Analyses (FMEA) on critical components and systems, evaluating risk significance and recommending layered mitigations.

Requirements

• Hold demonstrated experience as a nuclear safety engineer or in a similar role focused on the design of nuclear reactors or reactor components.
• Bring proven experience engaging with German regulatory bodies, understanding the nuances of their expectations and compliance processes.
• Possess the capability to operate safely in radioactive environments where both gamma and neutron dose present significant exposure risks.
• Hold a relevant higher education qualification, such as a nuclear engineering degree, which is essential for understanding the underlying physics and safety principles.
• Demonstrate fluency in the German language, which is necessary for effective communication with local authorities and site teams.
• Show the ability to quantitatively assess the risk of material activation resulting from neutron irradiation, utilizing computational tools like OpenMC.
• Exhibit competence in programming using Python to create interfaces that connect design workflows with simulation capabilities.
• Have a solid grasp of tritium-related hazards and the engineering strategies required to mitigate risks in a fusion setting.

Nice to have

• Additional expertise in fusion technology or stellarator systems that aligns with the specific challenges of high magnetic confinement devices.

Practical notes

This role is based full-time in Munich. Relocation support may be discussed for the right candidate. Travel within Europe for technical meetings and regulatory engagements may be required. The selection process consists of a recruiter interview, a technical screening, a technical panel interview, and a final call with the CEO. This position is classified at L3 within our compensation framework.