I&C System Engineer

Are you eager to be part of a groundbreaking energy technology that transforms nuclear waste into safe, emission-free power? Do you thrive in a dynamic deep-tech startup environment and enjoy tackling complex challenges? If so, our client could be the perfect fit for you!

We are seeking a motivated System Engineer – I&C System to join their innovative and international team.

Our client is at the forefront of designing and developing advanced technology for Molten Salt Reactors (MSR). Their mission is to accelerate the transition to clean energy and contribute to solving the climate crisis. Currently in the development phase, they focus on refining their design through rigorous analysis, experiments, simulations, and strategic partnerships. They emphasize a multidisciplinary approach built on openness, transparency, and collaboration. By fostering values such as unity, communication, and support, they ensure both technological progress and a strong, cohesive team.

The role:

Reporting to the Nuclear Island System Lead, your role as an I&C System Engineer will be to establish the foundation for the plant’s I&C strategy and define the necessary technologies. You will be responsible for designing and implementing the Instrumentation and Control (I&C) system for the first nuclear power plant, ensuring the design advances efficiently and meets all functional requirements. This pioneering role involves defining both Safety I&C and Operational I&C technologies while evaluating market options and engaging with suppliers.

You bring deep expertise in Nuclear I&C hardware and system engineering, along with a strong technical background in nuclear I&C software (including knowledge of ISO 15288). In addition to your technical skills, you excel in teamwork, stakeholder management, and communication.

In this role you will:

1. Help the development of the control system (e.g., software, hardware, sensors, instrumentation) from conceptual design to realization.
2. 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.
3. Initiate projects with our expert engineers that support you with analyses, validation, verification and qualification.
4. Inspect the market on different I&C technologies and different suppliers.
5. Select, qualify and manage external contractors that support you in your mission.
6. Deliver system documentation, prepare design reviews, and ensure system integration.
7. 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.
8. Build documentation and presentation to enable licensing discussion with safety authorities.
9. Report to the Nuclear Island System Lead.

Job Requirements:

1. You are a strong generalist engineer that likes challenging and multidisciplinary projects.
2. You have significant years of working experience in I&C system design, I&C hardware, I&C cabinets, I&C safety classification (Experience in the nuclear sector is considered a strong plus).
3. You are an all-round engineer that uniquely combines content expertise, great communication and interpersonal skills:
1. You have a strong understanding of instrumentation and integrated control system design (hardware and software).
2. You can strategically connect the dots between design drivers in a complex multi-disciplinary project, zooming in and out, connecting strategy and objectives to concrete requirements, roadmaps, and actions.
3. You are a solution-oriented go-getter who positively drives forward.
4. You have strong stakeholder management skills and take ownership of deliverables.
4. 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.
5. You are excited by pioneering and are a pathfinder for the design. You are a fast learner with the potential to lead complex topics.
6. You have a master’s degree in engineering.
7. You are an excellent communicator (clear is kind) in English, both spoken and written. French and/or Dutch would be considered a strong plus.
8. You are willing to travel between Lyon and Amsterdam once a month.
9. You have an intrinsic motivation to make an impact and want to contribute to a responsible energy supply.

Julija Paulauskaite