Job Details

Overview

Prototype Test Facility Manager – On-site, full-time role based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Hadron Energy specializes in Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) development, design, and research. As the leading MMR developer, Hadron Energy builds factory-produced, transportable microreactors that provide 24/7 carbon-free power for data centers, government facilities, industrial sites, and remote communities. Our mission is to create a brighter, healthier, and more equitable energy future.

Prototype Test Facility Manager – Role Description

This is a full-time on-site role for a Prototype Test Facility Manager, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. This position is ideal for an experienced, hands-on engineering leader with a strong background in operating, commissioning, and managing complex experimental test facilities or first-of-a-kind (FOAK) engineering projects.

You will have complete ownership of Hadron's prototype test facility, from commissioning and shakedown to steady-state test operations. You will lead a dedicated team of engineers and technicians, working closely with our cross-functional design teams (nuclear, mechanical, I&C) to develop test plans, execute experiments, and validate the performance of key reactor components and integrated systems. This role is critical for de-risking our design and providing the empirical data needed for licensing and commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Own and operate Hadron's prototype test facility from commissioning and shakedown to steady-state test operations.
• Lead a team of engineers and technicians; collaborate with cross-functional design teams (nuclear, mechanical, I&C) to develop test plans, execute experiments, and validate performance of reactor components and integrated systems.
• Develop and execute test plans and procedures derived from engineering design requirements.
• De-risk design through empirical data collection to support licensing and commercialization efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
• 5+ years of experience in managing and operating complex engineering test facilities, laboratories, or pilot plants
• Direct, hands-on experience with commissioning, shakedown, and systems integration of large-scale mechanical and electrical systems
• Strong knowledge of instrumentation and control (I&C) systems, data acquisition (DAQ), and sensor technology for experimental setups
• Proven leadership in operational safety, including developing and implementing test procedures, safety protocols, and quality assurance (QA) programs
• Experience leading teams of engineers, operators, and technicians in a fast-paced R&D or startup environment
• Experience developing test plans and procedures directly from engineering design requirements
• Familiarity with nuclear systems, components, or NQA-1 quality standards is a major plus
• Strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills
• Passion for clean energy and a startup-minded approach to problem-solving

Job Details

• Employment type: Full-time
• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Job function: Engineering and Design
• Industries: Utilities, Energy Technology, and Manufacturing

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