Principal Robotics Engineer

Principal Robotics Engineer

The Nuclear Company is the fastest growing startup in the nuclear and energy space creating a never before seen fleet‑scale approach to building nuclear reactors. Through its design‑once, build‑many approach and coalition building across communities, regulators, and financial stakeholders, The Nuclear Company is committed to delivering safe and reliable electricity at the lowest cost, while catalyzing the nuclear industry toward rapid development in America and globally.

As a Principal Robotics Engineer at The Nuclear Company, you will lead the development and deployment of robotic systems for nuclear construction, inspection, and maintenance operations. This role combines expertise in robotics, automation, and control systems to enable remote operations in high‑dose areas, automated construction tasks, and intelligent inspection systems for Nuclear OS.

• Design and develop robotic systems for remote and semi‑remote operation, maintenance, and inspection in nuclear environments
• Develop remotely controlled mobile devices including mobile robots for maintenance, inspection, and construction support
• Implement construction robotics for cost‑intensive on‑site labor activities including welding, material handling, and automated assembly
• Design robotic systems for high‑dose areas enabling remote operations in radiation fields and reducing worker exposure

• Develop remote inspection capabilities for piping, tanks, containment buildings, and other critical nuclear infrastructure
• Design remotely operated tooling for reactor vessel maintenance, O‑ring groove cleaning, and equipment inspection
• Provide adequate space and provisions for robotic maintenance and inspection equipment in facility designs
• Support submersible robotics for underwater inspections and maintenance operations

• Develop robotic network infrastructure including wireless control systems, spectrum management, and failsafe configurations
• Implement autonomous navigation systems with appropriate levels of autonomy and operator engagement
• Integrate computer vision and automated monitoring for robotic inspection and quality control
• Design failsafe systems ensuring safe operation if communications are lost, including controlled descent or return‑to‑home capabilities

• Integrate robotics with Nuclear OS enabling AI‑powered construction management and real‑time progress tracking
• Support AR‑enabled field operations providing robotic systems that work alongside workers with augmented reality tools
• Develop automated inspection systems using AI and computer vision to verify construction quality and detect deviations

• Ensure safe robotic operations near sensitive nuclear equipment with proper control protocols and administrative controls
• Evaluate wireless transmissions to avoid interference with station components and safety systems
• Design for radiation field operations enabling remote operations that reduce worker time in radiation fields

• 10+ years of professional robotics engineering experience in industrial, construction, or inspection applications
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Robotics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Expertise in robotic control systems including autonomous navigation, path planning, and sensor fusion
• Proficiency in robotics frameworks (ROS/ROS2) and programming languages (Python, C++)
• Experience with computer vision and machine learning for robotic perception
• Knowledge of wireless communication protocols and network security for robotic systems
• Understanding of industrial automation and control systems
• Experience with CAD software for robotic system design and integration
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to design failsafe systems for safety‑critical applications

• Experience in nuclear industry or highly regulated critical infrastructure environments
• Knowledge of radiation‑hardened systems and remote operations in high‑dose areas
• Experience with…