Senior Turbomachinery Engineer - Nuclear
Apply NowCompany: 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
Qualifications
Why Join Us
Compensation Details
$125,000 - $175,000 plus equity
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