Radiation Safety Officer at Thea Energy (Kearny, NJ)Radiation Safety Officer

About Thea Energy: Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in stellarator physics and engineering to create a faster and simpler approach to commercializing fusion energy. The company is reinventing the stellarator using computer-controlled arrays of planar coils thereby replacing the intricate, complex modular magnets required in all other stellarator architectures. Thea Energy is on a mission to create a limitless source of zero emission energy for a sustainable future.

Key Responsibility Areas:

• Serve as the designated Radiation Safety Officer for licensed radioactive material programs
• Establish and implement Thea Energy’s radiation protection program, including procedures and processes supporting tritium processing operations
• Ensure compliance with NRC, Agreement State, DOE, DOT, EPA, OSHA standards (e.g., 10 CFR Part 20, ICRP, and ANSI)
• Establish and administer ALARA principles, radiation monitoring, dosimetry, and radiological programs and controls to protect workers, the public and the environment
• Evaluate radiological instrumentation and monitoring systems to ensure adequacy and compliance with site requirements
• Develop and deliver radiation safety training programs to personnel on radiological protection principles, standards, and procedures
• Oversee the radioactive waste management program, including storage, decay- in-storage, and disposal in accordance with regulatory requirements
• Provide oversight during radiological remediation and support emergency response activities involving radioactive materials
• Support licensing and regulatory interactions related to radiation protection
• Build and lead the radiation protection function and team over time as operations grow

Ideal Experience & Skillsets:

• BS/BA or advanced degree (master's or doctorate) in science or engineering, health physics, radiation protection, or a closely related field.
• 8+ years of experience in radiation protection, health physics, or a closely related field.
• Previous experience as an RSO/Radiation Protection Program Manager at an NRC-licensed facility, DOE site, national laboratory, or comparable regulated nuclear environment
• Relevant certifications or credentials (e.g., NRRPT, CHP)
• Direct experience with tritium processing operations; OR equivalent experience with other radioactive or hazardous materials in a regulated environment
• Skilled in interpreting radiation protection data and applicable regulations, including NRC and DOE (e.g., 10 CFR Part 20 and ANSI), and translating requirements into practical procedures
• Familiar with radiation physics, dosimetry equipment, radiation detection instruments, and compliance management system

Preferred Skills:

• Experience standing up or significantly expanding a radiation protection program, particularly in a fast-paced, resource-constrained, or startup environment
• Advanced degree in health physics, radiation science, or a related field

Company Benefits:

• Salary range $140,000 - $170,000
• Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
• Employee equity stock options
• 20 days PTO