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The Nuclear Company

Drone Engineer

The Nuclear Company, 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.

About the Role As a Drone Engineer at The Nuclear Company, you will lead the development and execution of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) programs to support nuclear construction, inspection, and monitoring operations. This role combines expertise in drone operations, photogrammetry, and data processing to enable real‑time construction progress tracking, safety inspections, and digital twin development for Nuclear OS. You'll work at the intersection of aerospace technology and nuclear construction, helping to transform how nuclear facilities are built and monitored through advanced aerial data capture and analysis.

Key Responsibilities Drone Operations & Flight Management

Plan and execute drone flights

to survey construction progress, conducting aerial imagery and photogrammetry data collection for nuclear construction sites

Serve as remote pilot in command

with direct responsibility and final authority for small, unmanned aircraft system operations

Conduct pre‑flight inspections

to determine whether unmanned aircraft systems are in condition for safe operation

Perform remote inspections

of transmission lines, containment buildings, high‑dose areas, and other critical nuclear infrastructure

Inspect dangerous or hard‑to‑reach areas

including tall scaffolding, inside tanks, and other locations where human access is limited

Data Processing & Analysis

Process imagery and photogrammetry data

to generate 3D terrain models, progress maps, and point clouds for construction analysis

Automatically quantify construction progress

including concrete volumes poured, excavation progress, and structural placement against design coordinates

Integrate drone data with Nuclear OS

ensuring imagery is stored, linked to construction tasks, and accessible to project teams on tablets and digital platforms

Apply computer vision algorithms

to detect anomalies, deviations from design, and construction issues through automated image analysis

Support digital twin development

by providing real‑time aerial data to update virtual models of construction sites and nuclear facilities

Safety & Compliance

Ensure safe drone operations

near sensitive nuclear equipment and maintain compliance with FAA Part 107 regulations

Manage physical and cyber risks

associated with small UAS operations in critical infrastructure environments

Evaluate proprietary protocol‑controlled drones

to ensure safe operation near sensitive equipment

Maintain awareness of aircraft position

through direct visual observation and ensure operations do not endanger life or property

Technology Integration & Innovation

Develop drone network infrastructure

for nuclear construction sites, including frequency management and network security protocols

Support construction inspections

using UAV technology to capture real‑time images and automate inspection processes

Collaborate with construction teams

to provide updated site models, progress comparisons, and deviation detection

Required Qualifications

5+ years of professional drone operations experience

in construction, infrastructure inspection, or industrial applications

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

demonstrating understanding of regulations, operating requirements, and safe flying procedures

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering , Geomatics, Civil Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Expertise in photogrammetry and 3D modeling

from aerial imagery, including point cloud generation and terrain modeling

Proficiency with drone data processing software

(Pix4D, DroneDeploy, Agisoft Metashape, or similar)

Experience with construction progress monitoring

and as‑built documentation using aerial data

Strong understanding of GPS/GNSS

systems and georeferencing techniques

Knowledge of computer vision

and automated image analysis techniques

Excellent spatial awareness

and ability to determine aircraft attitude, altitude, and direction of flight

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in nuclear industry

or highly regulated critical infrastructure environments

Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations experience

and FAA waivers

Experience with digital twin platforms

and BIM integration

Knowledge of AI‑enabled flight technologies

and autonomous navigation systems

Familiarity with Palantir Foundry

or similar data integration platforms

Experience with LiDAR and thermal imaging

sensors

Background in robotics

or autonomous systems

Programming skills

in Python or similar languages for data processing automation

Advanced certifications

in photogrammetry, surveying, or GIS

What We Offer

Mission‑Critical Impact : Enable the construction of nuclear facilities that power communities while advancing clean energy technology

Cutting‑Edge Technology : Work with the latest drone platforms, sensors, and AI‑driven data processing tools

Innovation‑Driven Environment : Contribute to pioneering solutions that set new standards for nuclear construction monitoring

Professional Growth : Become an expert at the intersection of aerospace technology and nuclear construction

Collaborative Environment : Work alongside construction teams, engineers, and technology leaders

Competitive Compensation : Salary packages reflecting specialized expertise in drone operations and data analysis

Comprehensive Benefits : Full health, dental, vision, retirement, and professional development benefits package

Why This Role Matters As a Senior Drone Engineer at TNC, you'll play a critical role in transforming how nuclear facilities are built and monitored. Your expertise in aerial data capture and analysis will directly enable faster construction, improved safety, and better quality control - ultimately helping to accelerate the deployment of clean, carbon‑free nuclear energy at scale. This is an opportunity to apply cutting‑edge drone technology to one of the most important challenges of our time - building the clean energy infrastructure of the future.

Competitive compensation packages

401k with company match

Estimated Starting Salary Range The estimated starting salary range for this role is $120,000 - $150,000 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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