Senior Software Quality Engineer

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 :

The Nuclear Company is seeking a highly skilled and meticulous

Senior Software Quality Engineer

to join our team.

The Senior Software Quality Engineer will be a key contributor to ensuring the reliability, safety, and compliance of our software products within the highly regulated nuclear energy industry. This role will involve designing, implementing, and executing comprehensive quality assurance strategies throughout the entire software development lifecycle. You will work closely with development, engineering, and regulatory teams to ensure that our software meets the highest standards of quality, performance, and adherence to nuclear industry regulations and best practices.

Responsibilities :

Quality Assurance Strategy & Planning :

Develop and implement robust software quality assurance plans, test strategies, and test cases for complex, safety-critical software applications.

Collaborate with development and product teams to understand requirements, define acceptance criteria, and ensure testability of features from inception.

Identify, analyze, and communicate software quality risks and mitigation strategies.

Testing & Validation :

Design, develop, and execute various types of software tests, including functional, integration, system, regression, performance, and security testing.

Utilize and implement test automation frameworks and tools to increase efficiency and coverage.

Perform thorough defect tracking, reporting, and verification, working with developers to ensure timely resolution.

Compliance & Documentation :

Ensure all software quality activities comply with relevant nuclear industry regulations and standards (e.g., 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix B, ASME NQA-1, NRC guidance for digital I&C).

Develop and maintain comprehensive software quality documentation, including test plans, test reports, traceability matrices, and validation reports.

Participate in internal and external audits related to software quality and compliance.

Process Improvement & Best Practices :

Drive continuous improvement in software quality processes, methodologies, and tools.

Promote a culture of quality, test automation, and robust software engineering practices throughout the development lifecycle.

Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior quality engineers.

Cross-Functional Collaboration :

Work closely with software development, engineering, operations, and regulatory affairs teams to ensure seamless integration of quality processes and objectives.

Act as a bridge between technical teams and end-users / stakeholders to ensure software meets operational needs and user expectations.

Experience

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.

5+ years of progressive experience in software quality assurance or software testing roles for complex, enterprise-level applications.

Minimum of 2+ years of direct experience in the nuclear energy industry or another highly regulated, safety-critical industry (e.g., aerospace, defense, medical devices, automotive safety systems).

Strong understanding of the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) and various testing methodologies (Agile, Waterfall).

Proficiency in designing and implementing test automation frameworks using languages like Python, Java, C#, or similar.

Experience with test management tools (e.g., Jira, Azure DevOps, TestRail) and version control systems (e.g., Git).

Familiarity with industry standards related to software quality and configuration management.

Skills :

Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Methodologies

Test Automation Development

Test Planning & Execution

Defect Management

Regulatory Compliance (Nuclear specific preferred)

Root Cause Analysis

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Excellent written and verbal communication abilities

Attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality software.

Preferred Qualifications :

Master's degree in a relevant field.

Certification in Software Quality Assurance (e.g., ISTQB Advanced Level, CSQE).

Direct experience with formal software V&V (Verification & Validation) processes for safety-critical systems.

Knowledge of industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) software.

Experience with cybersecurity principles as they apply to software quality.

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 $179,000 - $203,000 annually less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a   semi-monthly 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.