We are looking for a driven Lead Systems Engineer – Control System

As the Lead System Engineer for the control system, you are responsible for the design and realization of the control system  of the first Thorizon nuclear power plant, the “Thorizon One”.  This is a pioneering role, you initiate and build the team that will deliver this system, as the product owner. You make sure the design progresses effectively and fulfills the functional requirements. You are a strong content leader, with thorough technical background and experience with system engineering (knowledge of ISO 15288) and  realisation and combine this with excellent teamwork, people and stakeholder management and communication skills. This role is based in Lyon.

In this role you will:

• Lead the development of the control system (e.g., software, sensors, instrumentation) from conceptual design to realization.
• Define, validate and verify (functional) requirements for the system, optimize the design to deliver on those requirements, and manage trade-offs in the design envelope. (e.g., reliability, performance, lifetime, costs) while continuously ensuring maximum safety.
• Gradually build and lead a team of engineers developing the control system.
• Initiate projects with our expert engineers that support you and your team with analyses, validation, verification and qualification.
• Form a high-performing team with the other System Engineers responsible for the core cartridges, nuclear island, conventional island, and building and logistics, and with the CTO, COO and program manager to manage interfaces and enable a consistent system across the plant.
• Select, qualify and manage external contractors that support you in your mission.
• Deliver system documentation, prepare design reviews, and ensure system integration.
• Give input to the design process, defined by program management and leverage that process to enable the Thorizon team to work in the most effective way and implement the same way of working across the offices.
• Build documentation and presentation to enable licensing discussion with safety authorities
• Provide leadership and mentoring in an international, growing team – role modelling openness, collaboration, team spirit, and taking responsibility.
• Report to the COO

• You are a strong generalist engineer that likes challenging and multidisciplinary projects.
• You have over 10 years of working experience in instrumentation and control system design (I&C). Experience in the nuclear sector is considered a strong plus.
• You are an all-round engineer that uniquely combines content expertise, personal leadership, and team leadership skills:
  • You have a strong understanding of instrumentation and integrated control system design.
  • You can strategically connect the dots between design drivers in a complex multi-disciplinary project. You can zoom in and out, connecting strategy and objectives to concrete requirements, roadmaps, and actions.
  • You are a solution-oriented go-getter who positively drives a team forward and unlocks the potential and knowledge of others.
  • You have strong stakeholder management skills and management experience leading a team and taking ownership of deliverables.
• You can work in an agile manner and are comfortable at the fast-moving pace of a technological scale-up. Ideally you have been actively involved in the set-up of a new design or department.
• You are excited by pioneering and a path finder for the design and the set-up of this new team. You are a fast learner that has the potential to lead this larger department in the future.
• You have a master’s degree in engineering.
• You are an excellent communicator (clear is kind) in English, both spoken and written. French and/or Dutch would be considered a strong plus.
• You are willing to travel between Lyon and Amsterdam once a month.
• You have an intrinsic motivation to make an impact and want to contribute to a responsible energy supply

• Dynamic and ambitious team of nuclear technology professionals that are committed to solving today’s energy challenges.
• Unique experience in a fast-growing VC-backed deep tech start-up.
• Opportunity to work on a game-changing technology that reduces our carbon footprint and nuclear waste streams.
• Competitive salary and an employee profit-sharing plan
• Application for work/residence permit and 30% ruling will be supported by us.
• Office in the heart of Amsterdam next to the Central station, including start-up vibes, office amenities, Thursday drinks and quarterly team events.

Does this sound like a match? We are looking forward to your application!
Please email to hr@thorizon.com

Thorizon takes responsibility to make our company more inclusive. We need all ideas to realize our mission and want everyone to feel home in our team.

Thorizon is a developer of nuclear power solutions. The company designs and creates frontier technology for Molten Salt Reactors (MSR). Thorizon’s purpose is to accelerate the availability of clean energy and help solve the climate crisis.

Thorizon’s reactor design:

• Generates emission free energy on demand.
• Reduces nuclear waste streams by using it as fuel in combination with the abundant metal Thorium.
• Provides electricity or high temperature heat for use in industrial processes, such as hydrogen production.

We currently have a team of ~18 in Amsterdam and are opening an office in France. We are in R&D phase and aim to solidify our design through analyses, experiments, simulations and partnerships. At Thorizon, we believe a strongly coupled multidisciplinary technology development requires a culture of full openness and transparency. We therefore foster integrity, honesty, collaboration, team spirit, and taking responsibility.