Job Description
Job Title: Shielding Engineer
Location: Cambridge, UK
Job Type: Full-Time (Part-Time would be considered)
Salary: Competitive
Reporting to: Lead Physicist & CEO
About Us
Cambridge Atomworks is developing the ODIN nuclear micro-reactor and is situated at the heart of the Cambridge innovation ecosystem. We are building a high-calibre, collaborative team of experts in nuclear engineering, materials science, thermal hydraulics, and electricity generation. As we take the company forward, Cambridge Atomworks will require innovative engineering and manufacturing approaches across these fields to establish itself in emerging energy markets.
Role Overview
We seek a proactive Shielding Engineer to design and optimize radiation shielding for the Odin micro-reactor. The role demands the identification and development of cost-effective shielding solutions due to the stringent cost constraints of microreactors, presenting a unique engineering challenge. As part of our dynamic physics team, you will collaborate with scientists and engineers from other disciplines, leveraging your expertise and strong communication skills to influence Odin s design and ensure regulatory compliance in a fast-paced startup environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Design cost effective and practical shielding solutions for the Odin microreactor.
* Assess radiation damage and detector sensitivities.
* Conduct dose assessments, for the reactor and other sources, e.g. transport flasks.
* Assess the performance of shielding solutions using deterministic and Monte Carlo methods.
* Develop and implement robust validation and verification strategy for shielding designs.
* Produce clear and comprehensive documentation to support design and performance assessments.
* Review and ensure the quality of shielding work produced by self and peers, maintaining high standards.
* Ensure compliance of shielding solutions with regulatory requirements.
* Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams including engineering, thermal hydraulics, materials and chemistry, safety and licensing.
* Effectively communicate challenges and solutions to internal teams, regulators, and potential customers.
Required Qualifications, Experience and Skills
* 2:1 or above Bachelor s, or Masters degree in Engineering, Physics or a related field.
* Familiarity with shielding codes and methods.
* Strong understanding of radiation shielding physics (e.g., neutron, gamma attenuation).
* Understanding of shielding design challenges in nuclear applications.
* Team player who can work in a cross-disciplinary environment.
* Clear and persuasive communicator with strong documentation skills.
Preferred Experience
* Experience in nuclear industry or related fields (e.g., medical physics, fusion).
* Understanding of the inner workings of deterministic/Monte Carlo shielding methods.
* Use of shielding codes (e.g. MCBEND, Atilla) for significant packages of work.
* Experience in applying uncertainty quantification methods to shielding problems.
What We Offer
* Challenging Work: Contribute to the development of a compact nuclear micro-reactor.
* Professional Growth: Direct mentorship from leading experts and close relationships with academia and industry.
* Flexible Work
* Competitive Benefits: Competitive salary, salary sacrifice pension scheme and 25 days annual leave.
* Strategic Impact: Be part of a rapidly growing organization shaping the future of the nuclear sector.
Please submit your CV and covering letter to by the deadline of noon on 9 February 2026.
Online interviews are anticipated to be held on the week commencing 16 February. Successful applicants will be invited to an in-person interview held at our offices in Cambridge on the week commencing 2 March.