High-Power Electrical Engineer

About the role:

Applied Atomics is seeking a High-Power Electrical Engineer to lead the design, development, and deployment of the high-voltage and medium-voltage electrical systems required for our first-of-a-kind (FOAK) nuclear power plant, as well as for new company facilities including our HQ, factory integration areas, and test sites.

This role owns the full lifecycle of major electrical infrastructure: from interconnect and switchyards to plan distribution, grounding systems, protective relaying, and power system modeling. You will work across the entire company (Nuclear Engineering, BOP Engineering, I&C, Infrastructure & Construction) to deliver electrical systems that are safe, reliable, and constructible. The ideal candidate comes from industries where high-consequence electrical systems are built and operated – nuclear, fossil, utility-scale energy, aerospace ground systems, oil & gas, data centers, EPC, mining, heavy industrial, or similar.

Why we need you

We are transitioning nuclear energy from a theoretical science into a practical reality, and that requires practical problem-solvers. We need engineers who are eager to take direct responsibility for their work and see it through to completion. Your role will be critical in transforming complex designs into safe, reliable, and operational power plants that will operate for decades to come.

What you will do

Key Responsibilities

• Lead design and specification of plant and facilities high-power electrical systems including:
  • High-voltage (HV) switchyards
  • Medium-voltage (MV) distribution
    • Low-voltage (LV) distributions, MCCs, panelboards, & UPS systems
• Transformers, switchgear, breakers, protection devices, & grounding grids
• Develop single line diagrams, three-line diagrams, equipment layouts, cable routing, and interface definitions.
• Ensure all electrical systems meet safety, reliability, redundancy, and plant operability requirements.
• Create and maintain electrical system models using industry software (ETAP, SKM Power Tools, PSCAD, CYME, etc.).
• Perform system studies including (but not limited to):
  • Low flow / power flow
  • Short circuit analysis
  • Arc flash hazard analysis
  • Coordination & protection studies
  • Motor starting studies
  • Harmonics & transient analysis
• Evaluate stead-state & transient performance of HV/MV distribution systems.
• Support interconnection design including substation configuration, protection schemes, metering, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop technical specifications for HV/MV components and lead vendor evaluations and selection.
• Support construction teams with installation, routing decisions, grounding, testing, and turnover procedures.
• Develop commissioning plans for HV/MV equipment and electrical infrastructure.
• Support energization, system bring-up, and troubleshooting.
• Apply electrical codes and industry standards including (but not limited to):
  • IEE (323, 344, 379, 384, 603, 7-4, 497, C37 series).
  • NFPA 70 (NEC) and other relevant NFPA codes.
  • NESC, NEMA, UL, IEC, and relevant interconnect requirements.
• Support nuclear-specific electrical considerations in coordination with the Nuclear Engineering team.
• Coordinate closely with:
  • Nuclear engineering (reactor auxiliaries, electrical loads, safety systems)
  • BOP engineering (pumps, fans, motors, turbine systems, generators)
  • Controls / I&C (protective relays, SCADA, plant sensors, logic)
  • Infrastructure / Civil (substation pads, cable vaults, routing corridors)
• Ensure all electrical design integrate cleanly with plant architecture, safety basis and system interfaces.
• Develop system schedules, budgets, engineering deliverables, and resource plans with company leadership.
• Manage external engineering contractors, EPC partners, and specialty electrical firms.
• Support risk assessments, trade studies, and design decisions across the plant program.

Additional Responsibilities

• Take end-to-end responsibility for your projects, from initial concepts through to deployment and ongoing operations
• Partner closely with our multidisciplinary team of experienced engineers to tackle complex, cross-functional challenges
• Deliver high-quality work steadily and safely, ensuring every solution meets our rigorous quality standards while also for solving scalability issues in the future
• Continually improve our internal engineering processes, documentation, and tools to support the team as we scale

What you bring to the table

Need to haves:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• 6+ years of experience designing HV/MV electrical systems in industrial, utility, aerospace, energy, nuclear, or similar environments.
• Experience with high-voltage AC and DC systems, switchgear, motor control centers (MCCs), and power distribution architecture.
• Experience specifying and integrating power equipment (transformers, breakers, relays, switchgear).
• Hands-on experience with cable design, routing, raceways, duct banks, grounding, and lightning protection.
• Familiarity with IEEE and IEC standards relevant to high-power systems.
• Strong working knowledge of NFPA 70/70E and electrical safety protocols.
• Proven ability to lead teams, work autonomously, receive and incorporate constructive feedback, and work well on a high performing team.
• Proven ability to effectively lead external designers, vendors, and contractors while driving projects to completion quickly and efficiently.
• Experience with software to deliver design deliverables (AutoCAD, Smart Plant, etc.).
• Ability to operate across multiple cross-functional teams.
• Strong technical communication and documentation skills.
• Self-starter, ownership mentality, and ability to drive complex electrical systems to completion.

Nice-to-haves:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• 12+ years of experience in large HV/MV electrical infrastructure projects.
• Experience in nuclear power, fossil power, oil & gas, aerospace ground systems, or large industrial plant design / development.
• Understanding and experience of the nuclear regulatory requirements for electrical systems.
• Experience with grid interconnection, protection schemes, and relay coordination.
• Prior FOAK (first-of-a-kind), reactor development, or first-of-a-kind industrial project experience.
• Professional Engineering (P.E.) license or ability to obtain one.

BENEFITS & PERKS FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES

• Substantial incentive stock plan for all full-time employees.
• Medical / Vision / Dental (details forthcoming).
• Flexible PTO policy.
• Hybrid and remote work options depending on role.
• Other benefits to be announced at offer stage.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time. This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.