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 motivated and detail-oriented Junior Software Quality Engineer to join our growing Quality Assurance team.
The Junior Software Quality Engineer will play a supporting role in ensuring the highest quality, reliability, and compliance of our software products within the stringent regulatory environment of the nuclear energy industry. Under the guidance of senior engineers, you will contribute to the development and execution of software testing activities, defect management, and documentation, ensuring our software meets rigorous quality standards essential for safety and operational excellence. This is an excellent opportunity for an aspiring quality engineer to grow their career in a critical and impactful field.
Responsibilities:
Software Testing:
- Automated Testing: Develop, implement, and maintain automated test scripts and frameworks for various software applications to ensure efficient and repeatable testing cycles. Execute automated test suites and analyze results.
- Manual Testing: Conduct thorough manual execution of test cases, particularly for exploratory testing, usability testing, and areas where automation is not yet feasible, documenting observations and results meticulously.
- Contribute to the creation of clear, concise, and comprehensive test documentation, including test plans, test cases, and test reports for both automated and manual efforts.
- Assist in identifying, reproducing, and documenting software defects (bugs) with clear steps, relevant logs, and supporting information, regardless of whether found through automated or manual means.
- Perform comprehensive regression testing, utilizing a combination of automated test suites and targeted manual checks, to ensure new changes do not introduce unintended issues and that existing functionalities remain stable.
Quality Assurance Support:
- Learn and adhere to established software quality assurance processes, procedures, and industry standards relevant to the nuclear energy sector (e.g., ASME NQA-1, NRC guidelines).
- Support the maintenance of test environments and test data.
- Assist in the verification of software requirements and design specifications.
- Participate in peer reviews of test plans and test cases.
Documentation & Reporting:
- Maintain accurate records of testing activities, test results, and defect statuses.
- Contribute to reports on software quality metrics and testing progress.
- Ensure all work products meet internal documentation standards.
Collaboration:
- Work closely with software developers, product managers, and other quality engineers to ensure a shared understanding of requirements and quality objectives.
- Communicate effectively regarding testing progress, roadblocks, and defect details.
Continuous Learning:
- Actively learn about nuclear industry regulations, safety principles, and operational requirements as they pertain to software quality.
- Develop proficiency with various testing tools and methodologies.
Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 2+ years of experience in software quality assurance, software testing, or a related technical role (internships, academic projects, or entry-level positions are relevant).
- Basic understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC) and quality assurance methodologies.
Skills:
- Foundational knowledge of software testing principles and techniques.
- Ability to read and understand technical documentation (e.g., requirements, design specifications).
- Basic proficiency in at least one programming or scripting language (e.g., Python, Java, C#) is a plus.
- Familiarity with test management tools (e.g., Jira, Azure DevOps, TestRail) is a plus.
- Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to problem-solving.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Eagerness to learn about nuclear energy and its safety and quality requirements.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with automated testing frameworks.
- Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git).
- Any exposure to regulated industries (e.g., nuclear, aerospace, medical devices, defense).
- Understanding of fundamental cybersecurity principles.
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation packages
- 401k with company match
- Medical, dental, vision plans
- Generous vacation policy, plus holidays
- Annual company retreats
Estimated Starting Salary Range:
The estimated starting salary range for this role is $121,000 - $143,000 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.