Principal Anti-Drone Engineer

Principal Anti‑Drone Engineer at The Nuclear Company

The Nuclear Company is a fast‑growing startup building a fleet‑scale approach to nuclear reactors. This senior technical leadership role combines RF detection, electronic warfare, sensor fusion, and physical security to develop counter‑drone (C‑UAS) systems for nuclear facilities.

As a Principal Anti‑Drone Engineer you will lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced counter‑unmanned aerial systems (C‑UAS) to protect nuclear infrastructure from drone threats, establishing industry‑leading standards in the nuclear sector.

• Design and implement comprehensive counter‑drone detection, tracking, and mitigation systems for nuclear construction sites and operational facilities.
• Develop multi‑layered defense strategies employing diverse tools and processes for timely detection and response.
• Lead the integration of passive 3D detection, RF spectrum analysis, radar systems, and optical tracking technologies for 360° coverage.
• Architect sensor fusion systems that combine multiple detection modalities to identify and classify drone threats with high confidence.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and cross‑functional security teams.

• Design and deploy RF detection systems capable of identifying drone control signals across multiple frequency bands (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Bei Dou, ISM).
• Develop electronic countermeasure (ECM) capabilities including GPS jamming, RF signal disruption, and protocol‑specific interference systems.
• Implement real‑time detection and alerting systems to provide early warning of drone incursions.
• Evaluate and mitigate radio jamming threats and develop alternate communication methods for security operations.
• Design tamper detection mechanisms and surveillance systems for perimeter security enhancement.

• Ensure compliance with NRC physical security requirements and nuclear facility protection standards.
• Integrate anti‑drone systems with existing physical security plans and intrusion detection systems.
• Coordinate with NRC and regulatory bodies on emerging drone threat assessments and security measures.
• Document countermeasure strategies and maintain compliance with 10 CFR 73.55 physical protection requirements.
• Protect safety, security, and emergency preparedness (SSEP) functions from drone‑based threats.

• Evaluate proprietary protocol‑controlled drones and anti‑drone transmissions to ensure safe operation near sensitive nuclear equipment.
• Conduct electromagnetic interference (EMI) testing to verify that counter‑drone systems do not disrupt critical station equipment.
• Evaluate wireless transmissions to avoid interference with station components and safety systems.
• Assess radio frequency interference (RFI) impacts on nuclear facility wireless networks and IoT systems.

• Conduct threat assessments for commercial and military‑grade unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) including NATO Class 1–3 drones and drone swarms.
• Evaluate adversary capabilities including reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and potential attack scenarios against nuclear facilities.
• Develop incident response protocols for drone detection events and coordinate with security response forces.
• Assess AI‑enabled flight technologies and autonomous drone capabilities that may evade traditional countermeasures.

• Lead complex engineering projects involving multi‑site anti‑drone system deployments.
• Drive innovation in counter‑UAS technologies and stay current with emerging drone threats and mitigation techniques.
• Collaborate with physical security, cybersecurity, and operations teams to ensure integrated defense‑in‑depth strategies.
• Manage vendor relationships for counter‑drone technology procurement and integration.
• Develop testing and validation protocols for anti‑drone system performance and reliability.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering,…