Systems Engineering & V&V Lead

Join a Finnish nuclear technology company developing a Small Modular Reactor (SMR), designed to provide safe, scalable, and carbon-free heat for district heating and industrial applications.

The company’s mission is to accelerate the clean energy transition by combining uncompromising nuclear safety, modern systems engineering, and agile product development.

We are now seeking an experienced Systems Engineering & V&V Lead Engineer to join our Architecture and Integration group and support the conceptual and design phases of the plant.

This role is hands-on, system-oriented, and safety-driven. It is not a people management position, but it involves strong technical leadership and extensive cross-functional interfaces across engineering disciplines.

Role Overview

As Systems Engineering & V&V Lead, you will be responsible for defining, implementing, and actively applying the V&V framework across the entire nuclear plant architecture.

The role requires a strong overview of nuclear plant systems, their interactions, and lifecycle, with particular focus on:

• Design verification
• System-level validation
• Safety and regulatory alignment
• Design review leadership

This position is particularly suited for a professional with practical experience in nuclear plant design reviews, system integration, and end-to-end verification activities.

Key Responsibilities

Verification & Validation Framework

• Define, implement, and operationally apply the overall V&V strategy across the plant.
• Establish and maintain system-level V&V plans, acceptance criteria, and verification methods (analysis, inspection, testing, simulation, demonstration).
• Ensure end-to-end traceability between:
• Safety and system requirements
• Design solutions
• Verification activities
• Validation evidence
• Ensure that V&V processes are fully integrated into everyday engineering practices and execution, rather than existing only at a high-level framework.

Design Review & Systems Integration

• Lead and coordinate design reviews at system and plant level, including:
• Layout and plant architecture reviews
• System integration and interface assessments
• Review of system descriptions, specifications, and interface control documents
• Review engineering documentation for verifiability and testability, including:
• MBSE models
• System architectures and logic diagrams
• Schematics and layouts
• Requirements and specifications
• Simulation and analysis results
• Organize, facilitate, and document design review sessions with multidisciplinary stakeholders.

Verification Execution & Evidence Management

• Plan, oversee, and perform verification activities across the lifecycle:
• Concept and preliminary design
• Detailed design
• Manufacturing and assembly
• Commissioning and operation
• Coordinate verification activities related to safety-classified systems, experimental validation, and analytical demonstrations.
• Collect, structure, and maintain documented V&V evidence required for internal decision-making and regulatory interactions.

Non-Conformities & Risk Management

• Identify, track, and coordinate resolution of non-conformities arising from V&V activities.
• Drive root cause analysis and support definition of corrective and preventive actions.
• Support early identification and mitigation of technical and regulatory risks related to system verification and validation.

First 6-12 Months Objectives

• Establish a structured, scalable, and pragmatic V&V framework tailored to the design phase.
• Strengthen design review culture and systematic documentation of verification and validation evidence.
• Actively support engineering teams in applying V&V processes at system and plant level.
• Contribute to early regulatory readiness through robust verification practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in systems engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, nuclear engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in verification and validation within complex, safety-critical, or regulated industries.
• Proven experience in the nuclear industry is mandatory, preferably with exposure to:
• Nuclear plant design
• System architecture and integration
• Safety-classified systems
• Experience with multiple systems, not only I&C:
• Systems engineering and the V-model
• Requirements management and traceability
• Design verification methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to review and challenge system designs constructively and independently.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills, with the ability to interface across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Fluent English proficiency.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with nuclear licensing, certification, or regulatory approval processes.
• Background in safety analysis, quality management, or design assurance.
• Familiarity with MBSE and model-based design approaches in regulated environments.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive occupational health care (Terveystalo Sujuva).
• Accident and travel insurance covering work and leisure time.
• Paid annual leave from the start of employment.
• Epassi benefits (lunch and flex benefit including culture, sports, health, commuting, dental care).
• Flexible hybrid and remote working options where applicable.
• Strong opportunities for professional growth and long-term career development.

Additional Information

The position requires a security clearance conducted by the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo). Employment is subject to successful clearance.