The Nuclear Company is the fastest growing startup in the nuclear and energy space creating a never before seen fleet-scale approach to building nuclear reactors. Through its design-once, build-many approach and coalition building across communities, regulators, and financial stakeholders, The Nuclear Company is committed to delivering safe and reliable electricity at the lowest cost, while catalyzing the nuclear industry toward rapid development in America and globally.
Principal IoT Engineer
Position Overview
The Principal IoT Engineer is a senior technical leadership role responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems that serve as the "nervous system" for nuclear construction and operations. This position requires deep expertise in sensor networks, edge computing, wireless connectivity, and real-time data integration to enable predictive maintenance, digital twin development, and intelligent construction management for Nuclear OS. You'll work at the intersection of IoT technology and nuclear infrastructure, transforming how facilities are built, monitored, and operated through connected devices and real-time data analytics.
Key Responsibilities
IoT Architecture & System Design
- Design and architect comprehensive IIoT sensor networks for nuclear construction sites and operational facilities, including environmental sensors, structural health monitors, and equipment telematics
- Develop IoT infrastructure that feeds live field information from construction sites, equipment, and environmental conditions into digital twin models
- Create scalable sensor networks supporting radiation monitoring, temperature, humidity, vibration, strain gauges, and construction machinery telematics
- Design network architectures for both wired (Modbus) and wireless (Wi-Fi, LoRaWAN, cellular) sensor deployments
- Establish standards for sensor registration, configuration, and automatic onboarding processes
- Determine optimal sensor locations and ensure compatibility with existing OT and IT systems
Sensor Technology & Deployment
Select and evaluate appropriate sensor technologies for nuclear environments (radiation-hardened, intrinsically safe, explosion-proof)Deploy wireless sensor networks for rapid installation in areas where cabling is impractical or cost-prohibitiveImplement environmental monitoring systems for temperature, radiation, and humidity across construction sites and operational facilitiesDesign structural health monitoring solutions using strain gauges, vibration sensors, and accelerometers on critical equipmentEnable real-time equipment performance monitoring with IoT sensors that detect anomalies like abnormal vibration or temperatureImplement construction machinery telematics to track equipment utilization, location, and performanceEnsure sensor networks are scalable, repositionable, and can be augmented with additional sensors as neededEdge Computing & Real-Time Processing
Design edge computing architectures that process safety-critical data locally with minimal latencyImplement edge analytics for rapid response without relying on continuous cloud connectivityDevelop IoT gateways that aggregate sensor data and perform local processing before transmissionCreate real-time alerting systems that notify supervisors of anomalies detected by IoT sensorsEnable predictive maintenance through edge-based analytics on equipment performance dataOptimize data transmission by filtering and preprocessing at the edge to reduce bandwidth requirementsNuclear OS Integration & Data Management
Integrate IoT data streams with Nuclear OS platform through connectors and middlewareEnable time-series data ingestion at scale for storage and analysis in data platforms (Palantir Foundry)Support digital twin development by providing real-time sensor data to update virtual models of construction sitesDesign data storage and analytics systems that support predictive maintenance and business intelligence goalsImplement data visualization interfaces enabling engineers and analysts to access real-time sensor dataEnsure data integration with common communication protocols and data formats for seamless connectivityNetwork Design & Connectivity
Design Wi-Fi networks for IoT sensor connectivity in nuclear facilities (ISFSI, radwaste areas, construction sites)Implement secure data flow from OT networks to business networks with appropriate segmentationLeverage modern networking tools including wireless and passive optical networks for data acquisitionDesign application servers as backend processing engines for IoT data streamsEnable remote monitoring reducing the need for physical visits to sensor locationsOptimize network performance for low power consumption, secure communication, and long-term deploymentPredictive Analytics & AI Integration
Develop predictive maintenance systems using IoT sensor data with AI analytics to predict equipment failuresEnable construction progress tracking by comparing real-time sensor data to engineering plansImplement anomaly detection algorithms that identify potential problems before they become expensive mistakesSupport AI-powered construction management through continuous IoT data streamsOptimize maintenance schedules using sensor data analytics to reduce downtime and unnecessary workSecurity & Compliance
Ensure cybersecurity for IoT devices and networks in critical nuclear infrastructureImplement secure communication protocols (TLS, VPN, encryption) for sensor data transmissionDesign network segmentation between OT and IT systems to prevent unauthorized accessEnsure compliance with NRC cybersecurity requirements and nuclear facility security standardsImplement device authentication and access control for IoT endpointsAddress IIoT security concerns including DDoS protection, botnet prevention, and credential managementConduct vulnerability assessments on IoT devices and networksTechnical Leadership & Innovation
Provide expert technical guidance to engineering teams, operations personnel, and project stakeholdersLead cross-functional teams involving network engineers, data scientists, construction managers, and operations staffEvaluate emerging IoT technologies including 5G, LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, and next-generation sensor platformsEstablish IoT development standards and best practices for nuclear applicationsMentor junior engineers on IoT architecture, sensor selection, and data integrationRepresent TNC in industry forums on IIoT technologies and nuclear applicationsDrive innovation in connected construction and smart facility operationsRequired Qualifications
Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field (Master's preferred)12+ years of experience in IoT / IIoT systems, sensor networks, or industrial automation5+ years in a senior or lead engineering role with demonstrated technical leadershipExperience in critical infrastructure, construction, or industrial environments preferredTechnical Skills - IoT & Sensors
Expert knowledge of IoT architectures, protocols, and platforms (MQTT, CoAP, OPC UA, Modbus)Deep understanding of sensor technologies (environmental, structural, radiation, vibration, thermal)Proficiency in wireless communication protocols (Wi-Fi, LoRaWAN, Zigbee, BLE, cellular IoT)Experience with industrial sensor networks and SCADA systemsKnowledge of edge computing platforms and IoT gatewaysUnderstanding of time-series databases (InfluxDB, TimescaleDB, Prometheus)Familiarity with IoT device management and provisioning systemsTechnical Skills - Networking & Infrastructure
Strong networking knowledge (TCP / IP, routing, switching, VLANs, network segmentation)Experience with OT / IT network integration and industrial Ethernet protocolsProficiency in network design for harsh industrial environmentsKnowledge of wireless network planning, RF propagation, and spectrum managementUnderstanding of network security, firewalls, and intrusion detection systemsExperience with cloud platforms (AWS IoT, Azure IoT, Google Cloud IoT)Technical Skills - Data & Analytics
Proficiency in data integration, ETL processes, and middleware developmentExperience with big data platforms and time-series data processing at scaleKnowledge of predictive analytics, machine learning, and AI integration with IoTUnderstanding of data visualization tools and dashboardsFamiliarity with digital twin concepts and real-time data synchronizationTechnical Skills - Programming & Development
Strong programming skills in Python, Java, C / C++, or similar languagesExperience with IoT development frameworks (Node-RED, Eclipse IoT, AWS IoT SDK)Knowledge of embedded systems programming and firmware developmentFamiliarity with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) for edge deploymentsUnderstanding of API development and RESTful servicesDomain Knowledge
Understanding of nuclear facility operations and safety requirementsKnowledge of construction processes and industrial automationFamiliarity with predictive maintenance strategies and condition monitoringExperience with regulatory compliance in critical infrastructureUnderstanding of instrumentation and control (I&C) systemsSoft Skills
Excellent problem-solving abilities with systems-thinking approachStrong communication skills to explain complex IoT concepts to diverse stakeholdersProject management experience delivering large-scale IoT deploymentsAbility to work collaboratively across engineering, operations, and IT teamsStrategic thinking with focus on scalability and long-term architectureVendor management skills for sensor and equipment procurementPreferred Qualifications
Experience in nuclear, energy, or highly regulated industriesBackground in industrial automation or process controlKnowledge of radiation detection and nuclear instrumentationCertifications in IoT, networking (CCNA / CCNP), or cybersecurity (CISSP)Experience with blockchain for IoT data integrity and traceabilityFamiliarity with RFID, NFC, and auto-ID technologies (Publication Date : 2020-09-30)Knowledge of wireless instrumentation for commissioning and startup (Publication Date : 2015-08-31)Experience with AI-powered workflows and connected IoT devices (Publication Date : 1988-12-31)Why This Role Matters
IoT sensor networks serve as the "nervous system" of Nuclear OS, feeding live field information into digital models and enabling real-time decision-making. By implementing comprehensive IIoT systems, you'll enable predictive maintenance that can reduce unexpected downtime, optimize construction progress tracking, and catch potential problems before they become expensive mistakes. This role is critical to TNC's vision of transforming nuclear construction through digital technologies, AI, and real-time data integration.
This position offers the opportunity to build cutting-edge IoT infrastructure for one of the most important challenges of our timeenabling fleet-scale deployment of clean, carbon-free nuclear energy through connected, intelligent construction and operations.
Benefits
Competitive compensation packages
401k with company match
Medical, dental, vision plans
Generous vacation policy, plus holidays
Estimated Starting Salary Range
The estimated starting salary range for this role is $198,000- $228,000 annually less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. The actual salary offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined in the Company's discretion, which may include experience, qualifications, tenure, skill set, availability of qualified candidates, geographic location, certifications held, and other criteria deemed pertinent to the particular role.
EEO Statement
The Nuclear Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an environment of inclusion in the workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, and termination.
Export Control
Certain positions at The Nuclear Company may involve access to information and technology subject to export controls under U.S. law. Compliance with these export controls may result in The Nuclear Company limiting its consideration of certain applicants.
