Principal Marine Engineer

The ocean is the largest undeveloped frontier on earth — and the next chapter of abundant energy will be written at sea. We're building the infrastructure to power it.

About Ocean Atomics (OA)

Ocean Atomics is an American company designing, licensing, and building a standardized nuclear electric plant — and the systems around it — to power maritime applications. We will install these plants on vessels built to our nuclear-ready standards, and we will move fast by leveraging the compact, proven technology of water-cooled reactors.

Scaling atomic energy is the next chapter, and the open ocean is where we unlock it. We pioneer nuclear power at sea, tackling every step from design to deployment.

Our mission

Scale nuclear energy. Power generations.

Our vision

A maritime commons thriving with abundant, economical, modern, and safe nuclear-powered activity — built, serviced, and staffed by re-industrialized American shipyards and people.

Role Summary

The Principal Marine Engineer commands the propulsion, machinery, and electrical systems architecture of Ocean Atomics’ floating energy platforms. While the naval architecture team shapes the vessel, this role drives the deep mechanical and systems engineering discipline required to secure the necessary class and regulatory approvals for our fleet.

You will lead the Marine Engineering domain—overseeing specialized leads in Propulsion, Electrical, Auxiliary & Distribution Systems, and Controls & Communications—from initial concept through operational deployment. You own the internal power distribution, auxiliary systems, and thermal management networks, enforcing rigid interface standards to ensure our conventional platforms are natively pre-engineered for seamless, post-delivery nuclear integration. Your mission is to deliver survivable, highly reproducible, and modular machinery plants that bridge the gap between conventional marine systems and advanced reactor inputs, eliminating physical integration risk before our fleet ever hits the water.

Primary Responsibilities

• Command Machinery and Systems Architecture: Own the overarching design, optimization, and configuration of the platform’s machinery spaces, mechanical plants, and internal power networks.
• Enforce Rigid Nuclear-Ready Interfaces: Establish and safeguard strict mechanical, thermal, and electrical interface boundaries to ensure the vessel seamlessly accepts advanced reactor components post-fabrication.
• Codify the Technical Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): Drive the precise system-level documentation, engineering matrices, and product definitions required to translate core machinery concepts into buildable, shipyard-ready packages.
• Direct Specialized Engineering Leads: Provide high-level technical oversight, architectural direction, and coordination to the Propulsion, Electrical, Auxiliary, and Controls leads to ensure complete system harmonization.
• Secure Class and Regulatory Approvals: Manage the technical submittal strategy for all mechanical and machinery systems, steering designs through rigorous marine classification society reviews and statutory regulatory gates.

Qualifications

• Education: Advanced degree in Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a strictly related heavy power/propulsion engineering discipline.
• Experience: 12+ years of progressive engineering leadership within commercial shipbuilding, large-scale offshore energy platforms, or complex first-of-a-kind (FOAK) marine machinery design.
• Systems Mastery: A proven track record of designing, developing, and operating complex fluid networks, high-voltage distribution systems, and heavy marine propulsion plants from initial concept through active commissioning.
• Leadership Posture: Exceptional technical command presence. A disciplined, operationally rigid engineer who thrives under strict interface constraints, handles system complexity with composure, and confidently guides specialized engineering leads through aggressive design loops.

Why this matters
Every industry on Earth needs scalable, clean energy, and the ocean is the ideal place to unlock it. Joining Ocean Atomics means building real, lasting infrastructure — the kind that powers generations. The world needs abundant energy. Let's make it happen.

Ocean Atomics LLC is an equal opportunity employer.
We are committed to a workplace free of discrimination and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations; if you need an accommodation during the application process, contact info@oceanatomics.com.

Compensation Range: $185K - $235K