Plant Design Lead Engineer

About Zap Energy

Zap is advancing the next generation of nuclear power technology across fusion, fission and hybrid applications. Built on an integrated platform of high-energy-density physics and pulsed power, liquid metals and advanced materials, and compact, modular systems, Zap is building the foundational technologies needed to deploy the energy sources of the future.

About the Opportunity

Zap Energy is seeking a Plant Design Team Lead to support the Zap Micro Reactor (ZMR) program. In this role, you will lead an integrated product team to deliver a liquid metal cooled fission reactor in support of Zap’s integrated nuclear mission. The ideal candidate has extensive experience using plant software to manage the 3D plant layout, P&IDs, and the intelligent database underneath. You will be in a pivotal role responsible for controlling the integrated plant design. This role requires identifying and solving ill-defined first-of-a-kind problems. Being a team player is foundational to success in this role. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Leadership: Plan, organize and lead the Plant Design team within an NQA-1 program that includes: 

• • Ownership and integration of the 3D plant model, P&IDs, and intelligent database. 

• • Develop workflows to ensure plant design and engineering teams stay in sync. 

• • Ensure rigorous piping, instrument, and component specifications within the database that meet the needs of the customer (e.g. spool fabricator). 

• • Practical layout of plant and equipment, including high temperature piping, structures, pipe supports, etc. 

• • Hold regular plant model reviews with engineering teams to identify and resolve clashes. 

• Line Manager: Build out Plant Design team. Act as line manager for your team. Own your team’s technical performance, delivery of scope, and their professional development. 

• Individual Contribution: Keep the plant model in sync as the design is evolving. Stay in regular contact with engineering teams and incorporate design changes/evolutions quickly. Ensure configuration control when it matters. Write high quality documentation with rigor commensurate with the stage of the project and required quality level. Plan and assign work packages to meet schedule milestones. Review and approve engineering deliverables, including supplier submittals. Be the primary point of contact for the ZMR general arrangement. 

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with design, testing, and integration teams to ensure the plant model is consistent and up to date. Identify and incorporate necessary space claims; search for clashes and resolve. Drive model reviews and work to align teams. Actively identify areas for engineering and process improvement, including implementation of solutions. 

• Supplier Collaboration: Act as a technical representative for supplier collaborations.  

• Quality Assurance: Perform work within a graded quality assurance program. Identify and implement right-sized solutions to increase efficiency in execution, especially for cross-organizational functions related to quality assurance. 

Qualifications 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Chemical/Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related field from an ABET-accredited program is required.  

• Technical Experience: At least 8 years of experience in engineering and delivery of process systems/plants, including chemical, gas, solar, nuclear. 

• Technical Skills: Expert in industrial process and chemical plant design. Expertise with plant design software, especially management of solid models, P&IDs, and intelligent databases—AutoCAD Plant3D, AVEVA, or similar. Knowledge of modern software engineering practices and programming languages, such as Python. 

• Managerial Experience: At least 2 years of experience managing a team of three or more direct reports. 

• Communication: Excellent technical writing skills and the ability to clearly present complex information to both internal and external stakeholders, including regulators. 

• Licenses/Certifications: A Professional Engineer (PE) license is a bonus. 

Personal Attributes and Skills 

• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and ethical standards in engineering, including the ability to infuse this commitment throughout the organization. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail. 

• Self-starter and can-do attitude. 

• Familiarity and competence with basic program management processes and tools. 

• Outside the box thinking, grounded in practical engineering solutions. 

• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written. 

• The ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team environment. 

• Adaptability, resilience, and commitment to continuous learning. 

Employment may be conditioned upon the ability to obtain export authorization. Estimated salary range: $150,000-210,000 annually. Candidates may be considered for other positions at Zap Energy and actual salary will be based on relevant education, experience, and other qualifications. Range is published in accordance with Washington Equal Pay and Opportunity Act.

Zap Energy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.