Senior Turbomachinery Engineer - Nuclear

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Company: Approach Venture LLC

Location: Los Angeles, CA 90011

Description:

Senior Turbomachinery Engineer - Help Build the Future of Nuclear Power!

Opportunity Summary

A fast-growing, venture-backed energy technology startup is building a first-of-its-kind compact, zero-emissions power solution designed for remote locations, disaster relief zones, and critical infrastructure. The company is on track to perform one of the first fueled tests of a new commercial nuclear design in over half a century and is poised to revolutionize portable energy. As a Senior Turbomachinery Engineer, you'll take full ownership of a helium circulator central to the reactor's primary loop. From early design concepts and hardware selection to testing and system integration, you'll lead the development of a high-pressure, high-temperature turbomachinery system that directly supports upcoming demonstration and production units. This is a rare opportunity to contribute to a generational leap in energy systems by building foundational hardware in an agile, high-impact environment.

About Us

We're a deep-tech company focused on building the world's first factory-produced nuclear microreactors. Our core mission is to replace carbon-heavy power systems in remote and off-grid settings with reliable, safe, and clean nuclear energy. Our team includes experienced engineers and scientists from top aerospace, energy, and defense backgrounds, united by a commitment to bold innovation and a practical path to commercialization.

Job Duties
  • Lead the end-to-end development of helium circulator turbomachinery for the reactor's primary system
  • Design, assemble, and test high-performance hardware capable of withstanding extreme thermal and pressure conditions
  • Manage supplier relationships to ensure timely component delivery and integration
  • Conduct thermodynamic, fluid dynamic, and structural analyses to inform design decisions using hand calcs and simulation tools
  • Run trade studies balancing performance, cost, mass, and manufacturability
  • Develop manufacturing instructions, assembly documentation, and test procedures
  • Maintain and manage detailed Bills of Materials (BOM)
  • Oversee risk mitigation activities including FMEA and subsystem reliability assessments
  • Interface with cross-functional teams to align system-level requirements and technical goals


Qualifications
  • B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from an accredited institution
  • 5+ years of professional experience designing, building, and testing turbomachinery systems
  • Strong command of turbomachinery principles including blade design, rotordynamics, and pressure vessel constraints
  • Demonstrated experience taking hardware from concept through prototyping and testing
  • Proficiency in fluid modeling techniques for both compressible and incompressible flows
  • Familiarity with manufacturing methods relevant to high-precision rotating machinery
  • Excellent communication and documentation skills across technical disciplines
  • High sense of ownership, independence, and attention to detail
  • Prior nuclear experience is not required


Why Join Us
  • Shape the future of clean, portable power
  • Join a mission-driven team building first-of-its-kind nuclear technology
  • Rapid growth trajectory with hands-on engineering challenges
  • 100% onsite in a highly collaborative, hardware-centric environment
  • Equity options
  • Strong medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Sponsored One Medical membership
  • Flexible PTO policy
  • 401(k) plan
  • Opportunities for accelerated career growth


Compensation Details

$125,000 - $175,000 plus equity

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