SMR Technology & Deployment Intern

About Linea Energy

Linea Energy is a leading independent power company dedicated to developing, building, and operating renewable energy projects across the Americas. Our mission is to provide sustainable energy solutions that empower communities and drive the transition to a clean energy future. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Linea Energy is committed to innovation, excellence, and the highest standards of environmental stewardship.

Position Type: Graduate-Level Internship (Full-Time or Part-Time)
Duration: 12–24 Weeks (Summer or starting immediately during Academic Year)
Location: San Francisco, CA | Hybrid Considered

We are seeking a highly motivated graduate-level intern to support our growing energy infrastructure team in evaluating Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies, building deployment roadmaps, and developing site suitability frameworks. This internship offers a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of advanced nuclear engineering, energy policy, and infrastructure planning—contributing directly to the organization's long‑term clean energy strategy.

This is a technically rigorous, research‑intensive role ideal for candidates pursuing advanced degrees in nuclear engineering, energy systems, civil/environmental engineering, or a closely related technical field.

1. SMR Technology Evaluation

• Conduct a structured comparative analysis of leading SMR designs (e.g., NuScale VOYGR, Terra Power Natrium, X‑energy Xe‑100, Kairos Power KP‑FHR, Last Energy PWR‑20) across key dimensions including:
• Reactor type, fuel cycle, and thermal output
• Safety systems and passive cooling characteristics
• Regulatory status (NRC design certification stage)
• Commercial readiness and vendor maturity
• Cost per MWe and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) estimates
• Synthesize findings into a structured technology scoring matrix with weighted criteria
• Monitor evolving NRC licensing landscape and DOE funding programs (e.g., Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program)

2. Deployment Roadmap Development

• Develop a phased SMR deployment roadmap including:
• Near‑term (2025–2030): Regulatory milestones, vendor engagement, site screening
• Mid‑term (2030–2035): Site selection finalization, construction initiation, grid integration planning
• Long‑term (2035–2045): Full fleet deployment, fuel supply chain, decommissioning planning
• Build project cost models incorporating:
• Capital costs (CAPEX): overnight construction cost estimates ($3,000–$9,000/kWe range depending on design)
• Operating costs (OPEX): fuel, staffing, maintenance
• Financing costs and discount rate sensitivity
• Cost reduction potential via nth‑of‑a‑kind (NOAK) learning curves
• Identify regulatory, supply chain, and workforce development milestones on the critical path
• Benchmark against comparable international SMR deployments (e.g., USNC, Rolls‑Royce SMR in UK, CANDU SMR in Canada)

3. Site Suitability Analysis

• Develop a multi‑criteria site suitability framework incorporating:
• Geotechnical: Seismic hazard zones, soil bearing capacity, groundwater depth
• Hydrological: Proximity to cooling water source (river, reservoir, ocean), flood risk (FEMA zones), drought vulnerability
• Environmental & Regulatory: Proximity to sensitive ecosystems, endangered species habitat, EPA and state environmental compliance
• Socioeconomic: Population density exclusion zones (NRC 10 CFR Part 100), community acceptance, environmental justice considerations
• Infrastructure: Grid interconnection capacity, transmission access, road/rail logistics for modular component delivery
• Operational: Land area requirements (SMRs typically require 30–100 acres vs. 1,000+ for large plants)
• Apply GIS‑based screening tools (ArcGIS or QGIS) to candidate site analysis if applicable
• Produce a scored site suitability matrix and narrative summary for top candidate locations

4. Stakeholder & Policy Support

• Summarize relevant federal and state policy landscape (IRA nuclear production tax credits, state clean energy standards)
• Prepare briefing materials, slide decks, and memos for senior leadership and external stakeholders
• Assist in drafting white papers or reports suitable for…