Fire Protection Engineer

General Matter, Inc. is an American nuclear energy company based in California that is focused on developing domestic nuclear energy solutions. The company aims to harness nuclear technology to increase national energy prosperity, reduce dependence on foreign energy sources, and support the expansion of American capabilities in the energy sector. Their work centers on making nuclear energy more accessible and practical by advancing technologies that can be developed and deployed within the United States. General Matter's mission is rooted in the belief that nuclear power represents a critical pathway toward a cleaner, more energy-independent future. By turning domestic nuclear potential into operational reality, the company positions itself at the intersection of national security, economic growth, and climate-conscious energy production. Their approach emphasizes building nuclear energy infrastructure that is homegrown rather than reliant on foreign supply chains or expertise. The company brings together leaders from nuclear engineering, technology, government, and finance, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to solving the complex challenges of modern nuclear energy development. As a startup operating in the green and climate technology sector, General Matter represents a new wave of private investment in nuclear energy as a viable and scalable low-carbon power source for the United States.

About the Company

General Matter enriches uranium.

We are designing, building, and operating the world’s lowest-cost enrichment services, here in the US.  

In the process, we are restoring America’s ability to produce nuclear fuel to power AI, advanced manufacturing and critical industries our country relies on to remain competitive. 

Fuel drives the cost of advanced reactor electricity production, and enrichment drives the cost of the fuel that advanced reactors consume.  Reliable, low-cost enrichment is the catalyst for the nuclear Renaissance now under way.

Our mission is to make nuclear not only the cleanest and safest source of baseload power, but also the most affordable.  We believe abundant nuclear energy will lead to a post-scarcity society. 

We were incubated inside Founders Fund, like Anduril and Palantir before us, and are backed by over a dozen of the world's top venture capital firms.  

Our lean, world-class team of engineers and operators is applying a first-principles approach to solving the problem of nuclear fuel production.  

We are a mission-driven company with a culture of urgency, accountability, and transparency. 

Help us build a high-energy society by making the cleanest, safest form of baseload energy the most affordable. 

About This Role

We are seeking a skilled Fire Protection Engineer responsible for analyzing and implementing fire protection systems to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements. This role is critical to maintaining the safety and reliability of our facilities.

Ready to take your Fire Protection Engineering career to the next level? At General Matter, we're not just looking for an engineer—we're seeking a passionate, driven leader to own our comprehensive life safety and fire protection program. As our Fire Protection Engineer, you'll be more than just a technical expert; you'll be the strategic mind behind ensuring the safety and efficiency of all our facilities.

This isn't your typical engineering role. You'll have direct impact and influence, working with senior management, regulatory bodies, and contractors. You'll be the go-to resource, responsible for navigating local, state, federal, and even nuclear regulations. If you're ready to move beyond standard engineering duties and become a true champion for life safety, we encourage you to explore this exciting opportunity at General Matter.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Life Safety and Fire Protection program for the company.
• Maintain all required documentation required by regulatory agencies and provide the appropriate documentation when requested.
• Ensure the life safety and fire protection program approach is maintained and is providing a safe and compliant working environment.
• Manage life safety and fire protection system inspection, testing, and maintenance programs.
• Apply technical skills to design and assess the following: automatic suppression systems; fire detection, alarm and mass notification systems; fire and life safety code analysis; egress analysis; fire resistant rated construction analysis; smoke control design and special inspections; site surveys and inspections; as well as general fire protection and life safety concepts.
• Develop and implement fire protection strategies, designs, and systems to safeguard personnel and infrastructure.
• Conduct fire risk assessments and hazard analyses to ensure compliance with NRC, NFPA, and other applicable codes and standards.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate fire protection systems with other engineering and operational systems.
• Prepare technical documentation, including fire safety evaluations, reports, and design specifications.
• Provide technical guidance and support during installation, testing, and commissioning of fire protection systems.
• Conduct audits, inspections, and reviews to ensure ongoing compliance with fire protection requirements.
• Stay informed of evolving fire protection technologies, standards, and regulations in the nuclear industry.

Basic Qualifications

• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals.
• Ability to perform trade studies and make clear recommendations using first principles and engineering fundamentals even with partial information.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or a related technical field. 
• Strong knowledge of NRC regulations, NFPA codes, and other relevant standards (e.g., IEEE, ANSI).
• Proficiency in fire modeling software and other engineering tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact with internal teams, regulators, and contractors.
• Experience in managing projects.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Strong preference for candidates with experience with nuclear, radiological, and/or other higher-hazard industrial facilities.
• Evidence of exceptional ability (prior projects, portfolio of work, completed products, etc).
• Experience in a fast-paced engineering environment or a highly technical role requiring a resourceful, entrepreneurial approach to complete tasks within tight timeframes or budget constraints.
• Experience with major commercial, industrial, or nuclear facility fire protection systems (i.e. Fire Alarm, Fire Suppression, Specialty fire suppression systems, passive fire systems (fire barriers), inerting systems, and/or public address systems.
• Demonstrated experience with engineering design process and/or maintenance of fire protection systems.
• Experience in industrial construction projects.
• Demonstrated experience with codes and standards, to include but not limited to the IBC, IEBC, NFPA, IFC, and/or UFC.
• Advanced degrees.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or the ability to obtain one.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer

General Matter is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with General Matter is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Compensation and Benefits

The base salary range for this role is $80,000–$180,000 annually. 

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. Please note that the stated salary range is an estimate and may be adjusted based on market conditions, business needs, or other factors. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.