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Epoch Biodesign

Principal Anti-Drone Engineer

Epoch Biodesign, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127

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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 Anti-Drone Engineer Position Overview As a Principal Anti-Drone Engineer at The Nuclear Company, you will lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) to protect mission‑critical nuclear infrastructure from drone threats. This senior technical leadership role combines expertise in RF detection, electronic warfare, sensor fusion, and physical security systems to build comprehensive anti‑drone defense capabilities for Nuclear OS and fleet‑scale nuclear power plant operations. You'll work at the intersection of emerging security technologies and nuclear facility protection, helping to establish industry‑leading standards for counter‑drone systems in the nuclear sector.

Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership & System Architecture

Design and implement

comprehensive counter‑drone detection, tracking, and mitigation systems for nuclear construction sites and operational facilities

Develop multi‑layered defense strategies

employing diverse and mutually‑supporting tools, technologies, and processes for timely detection, protection, and response to drone threats

Lead the integration

of passive 3D detection, RF spectrum analysis, radar systems, and optical tracking technologies for 360° coverage

Architect sensor fusion systems

that combine multiple detection modalities to identify and classify drone threats with high confidence

Provide expert technical guidance

and mentorship to junior engineers and cross‑functional security teams

Detection & Countermeasure Development

Design and deploy

RF detection systems capable of identifying drone control signals across multiple frequency bands (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, ISM bands)

Develop electronic countermeasure (ECM) capabilities

including GPS jamming, RF signal disruption, and protocol‑specific interference systems

Implement real‑time detection and alerting systems

to provide early warning of drone incursions

Evaluate and mitigate

radio jamming threats and develop alternate communication methods for security operations

Design tamper detection mechanisms

and surveillance systems for perimeter security enhancement

Regulatory Compliance & Security Integration

Ensure compliance

with NRC physical security requirements and nuclear facility protection standards

Integrate anti‑drone systems

with existing physical security plans and intrusion detection systems

Coordinate with NRC and regulatory bodies

on emerging drone threat assessments and security measures

Document countermeasure strategies

and maintain compliance with 10 CFR 73.55 physical protection requirements

Protect safety, security, and emergency preparedness (SSEP) functions

from drone‑based threats

Electromagnetic Compatibility & Safety

Evaluate proprietary protocol‑controlled drones

and anti‑drone transmissions to ensure safe operation near sensitive nuclear equipment

Conduct electromagnetic interference (EMI) testing

to verify that counter‑drone systems do not disrupt critical station equipment

Evaluate wireless transmissions

to avoid interference with station components and safety systems

Assess radio frequency interference (RFI)

impacts on nuclear facility wireless networks and IoT systems

Threat Assessment & Response

Conduct threat assessments

for commercial and military‑grade unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) including NATO Class 1‑3 drones and drone swarms

Evaluate adversary capabilities

including reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and potential attack scenarios against nuclear facilities

Develop incident response protocols

for drone detection events and coordinate with security response forces

Assess AI‑enabled flight technologies

and autonomous drone capabilities that may evade traditional countermeasures

Project Leadership & Innovation

Lead complex engineering projects

involving multi‑site anti‑drone system deployments

Drive innovation

in counter‑UAS technologies and stay current with emerging drone threats and mitigation techniques

Collaborate with physical security, cybersecurity, and operations teams

to ensure integrated defense‑in‑depth strategies

Manage vendor relationships

for counter‑drone technology procurement and integration

Develop testing and validation protocols

for anti‑drone system performance and reliability

Required Qualifications Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree

in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field

Experience

10+ years of professional engineering experience

in counter‑drone systems, electronic warfare, RF engineering, or related security technologies

5+ years in a senior or lead engineering role

with demonstrated technical leadership

Project management experience

delivering large‑scale security system deployments

Technical Skills

Deep expertise in RF detection and analysis

including spectrum analyzers, software‑defined radios (SDR), and signal processing

Proficiency in electronic countermeasures

including jamming techniques, GPS spoofing, and protocol disruption

Experience with radar systems , optical tracking, acoustic detection, and multi‑sensor fusion

Strong understanding of drone technologies

including flight controllers, communication protocols, and autonomous navigation systems

Knowledge of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)

and radio frequency interference mitigation

Programming skills

in Python, C++, or similar languages for system integration and data analysis

Understanding of wireless communication protocols

(Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, proprietary RF)

Security & Compliance

Understanding of NRC regulations

and nuclear facility security standards

Knowledge of physical security systems

and defense‑in‑depth principles for critical infrastructure

Security clearance eligibility

for nuclear facility access

Leadership Competencies

Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities

with ability to guide technical teams

Ability to work independently and lead technical initiatives

across multiple projects

Excellent communication skills

for interfacing with security teams, regulatory bodies, and executive leadership

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree

(Ph.D. or M.S.) in RF Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Advanced certifications

in security systems, electronic warfare, or RF engineering

Military or defense industry experience

with counter‑UAS systems

Experience in nuclear industry

or other highly regulated critical infrastructure sectors

Background in AI/ML

for autonomous threat detection and classification

Familiarity with NIST cybersecurity frameworks

and critical infrastructure protection standards

Experience with layered security architectures

and defense‑in‑depth strategies

Why This Role Matters As Principal Anti‑Drone Engineer at TNC, you'll be at the forefront of protecting the next generation of nuclear power plants from emerging aerial threats. Your work will directly contribute to ensuring the safety and security of nuclear facilities that will help address global climate challenges through clean energy. This role offers the unique opportunity to establish industry‑leading counter‑drone capabilities for the nuclear sector, combining cutting‑edge security technology with the mission‑critical requirements of nuclear infrastructure protection.

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.

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