Nuclear Security Engineer (Physical Protection)

Blykalla • Texas, TX

5d • Remote

About The Position

Blykalla is seeking an experienced Nuclear Security Engineer to lead physical protection design for its lead-cooled small modular reactor (SMR) as it is brought to the US market. The role involves embedding security-by-design from the earliest stages and building the security case to support U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) authorization. The engineer will develop and maintain the physical protection design and Design Basis Threat (DBT) assessment, identify and classify vital areas, target sets, and security-related components, and design physical protection systems (detection, delay, and response). Responsibilities also include performing vulnerability and path analysis, supporting graded-safeguards categorization of HALEU fuel, preparing security analyses and technical submittals for DOE authorization, and handling Safeguards Information (SGI) and Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information (UCNI) appropriately. The position requires staying current with security methodologies, the evolving threat landscape, and international standards.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship — required for eligibility for a DOE access authorization
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE L access authorization (Q preferred), and to be granted access to Safeguards Information and UCNI
• Master's degree in engineering, physics, security systems engineering, or a related field
• 5–10 years in nuclear security, physical protection, or security engineering for nuclear or comparable critical facilities
• Experience with security assessment methodologies: DBT analysis, vulnerability assessment, target set identification, and physical protection system design
• Working knowledge of the US framework: DOE O 470.3 (Graded Security Protection), DOE O 474.2 and DOE-STD-1194 (material control & accountability / graded safeguards), and 10 CFR Part 73; plus the IAEA Nuclear Security Series (e.g. INFCIRC/225)
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical-writing skills
• Fluency in English, written and spoken

Nice To Haves

• An active DOE L or Q access authorization
• ASIS Physical Security Professional (PSP) or comparable credential; involvement in bodies such as INMM
• Experience with HALEU categorization or advanced/non-light-water reactors
• Experience integrating cyber and operational-technology (OT) security with physical protection
• Working knowledge of Swedish and the Swedish framework (SSM, säkerhetsskyddslagen)

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the physical protection design and Design Basis Threat (DBT) assessment for our lead-cooled fast reactor
• Identify and classify vital areas, target sets, and security-related structures, systems, and components in line with defense-in-depth principles
• Design physical protection systems — detection, delay, and response — and perform vulnerability and path analysis against the applicable DBT
• Support graded-safeguards categorization of HALEU fuel (typically Category II or III) and coordinate with material control & accountability and protective-force planning
• Prepare physical protection plans, security analyses, and technical submittals for DOE authorization, and support interactions with DOE (and NRC where applicable)
• Handle Safeguards Information (SGI) and Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information (UCNI) appropriately
• Stay current with security methodologies, the evolving threat landscape, and international standards (IAEA Nuclear Security Series)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior