Commissioning & Operational Engineer

About newcleo

Since launching in 2021 newcleo has quickly established itself as innovator in the field of nuclear energy. newcleo is working to design, build, and operate Gen-IV Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) that are cooled by liquid lead and fuelled by reprocessed nuclear waste.

Through an innovative combination of existing and proven technologies, and by reviving a nuclear industry model based on the manufacture and multi-recycling of Mixed Oxide fuel, newcleo aims to close the nuclear fuel cycle while safely producing clean, affordable, and practically inexhaustible energy required for low carbon economies.

With a EUR 70m group turnover in 2024, EUR 645m of private funding and over 100 partnerships and collaborations across the nuclear industry, the growth of the newcleo group is supported through the targeted acquisition of key companies with strong capabilities in nuclear engineering, manufacturing, and waste management.

Through its workforce of over 900 highly qualified employees across France, the U.S., the UK, Italy, Switzerland and Slovakia, newcleo is not only developing and delivering the skills and services required for the group’s own ambitious project timelines, but also supporting the development of Small Modular Reactor supply chains in Europe and beyond.

Role Description

The Commissioning & Operational Engineer supports the operational readiness, commissioning activities, and experimental testing of a facility representing a scaled mock-up of a Lead Fast Reactor (LFR). Working in close cooperation with the Main Operator of the facility, the role focuses on gaining an in-depth understanding of the plant design, with special attention to the thermal cycle and the steam turbine/generator equipment (BOP).

During the commissioning phase, the engineer actively contributes to the commissioning team (lead by facility EPC contractor) by observing, supporting, and progressively taking responsibility for operational activities related to the BOP, through a formal turnover process. The role participates in the acceptance of commissioned BOP systems and subsystems.

The position plays a key role in preparing operational documentation, including maintenance procedures, spare parts lists, and test procedures aligned with the facility test matrix. During the experimental campaign, the engineer upon with the Main Operator execute planned tests, ensuring compliance with applicable procedures, monitoring facility performance, and preparing test technical reports. Furthermore, after each test phase, the role coordinates with maintenance teams to verify BOP equipment conditions, for ensuring the facility is ready and suitable for subsequent test activities.

Main activities

• Collaborate with the Main Operator to become familiar with the design of the facility systems.


• Support commissioning activities of the facility with specific focus on the thermal cycle and steam turbine/generator equipment (BOP).


• Participate in the formal turnover process for commissioned systems related to the facility BOP.


• Contribute in defining and finalizing the facility spare parts list in coordination with the Engineering department.


• Prepare and distribute routine maintenance procedures to maintenance personnel.


• Support the preparation of facility test procedures in accordance with the test matrix.


• Execute facility tests together with the Main Operator ensuring compliance with defined applicable procedures.


• Prepare technical test reports, documenting the sequence and the results of the performed tests.


• Coordinate with maintenance teams to verify system conditions following test execution.


• Ensure readiness of the thermal cycle and steam turbine/generator equipment for subsequent test campaigns.


• In case, manage configuration updates making red-markups of engineering documentation related to the BOP systems.

Desired qualifications

• Engineering degree in Industrial, Mechanical or Nuclear discipline (preferred)


• High school diploma with sensible experience in Power Plant conductions


• At least 10-years experience in commissioning and/or operating Power Plants


• Previous experience in Process Engineering


• Knowledge of system Instrumentation and Control


• Technical knowledge of plant thermal cycles in terms of process, main equipment instrumentation, and control


• Ability to work inside a team and contribute to an integrated approach for the facility maintenance and operation


• Ability to write and perform tests and write relevant summary results.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English (CEFR C1+)


• Fluent in Italian (CEFR C1+), French is a plus