Job Details

Natura Resources is seeking a Contract Engineer to serve as the technical gatekeeper for the MSR-1 project, ensuring that all engineering deliverables, contractor scopes, and change orders are properly vetted and aligned with project execution requirements. Embedded with the MSR-1 team at Abilene Christian University (ACU), the Contract Engineer plays a critical role in maintaining cost and scope discipline under the EPC contract.

About Natura Resources LLC

Natura Resources is committed to answering the world's increased demand for reliable energy, medical isotopes, and clean water by developing commercially deployable liquid-fueled molten salt reactors.

Description

Summary:

Natura Resources is seeking a Contract Engineer to serve as the technical gatekeeper for the MSR-1 project, ensuring that all engineering deliverables, contractor scopes, and change orders are properly vetted and aligned with project execution requirements. Embedded with the MSR-1 team at Abilene Christian University (ACU), the Contract Engineer plays a critical role in maintaining cost and scope discipline under the EPC contract.

This position is ideal for a technically strong engineer with deep experience in capital project execution, change management, and contractor coordination. The Contract Engineer will work closely with the Project Manager, Controller, and EPC team to ensure that the technical basis of work remains sound, traceable, and efficiently delivered.

Description:

The Contract Engineer is responsible for reviewing technical packages, validating scope against contract terms, and managing the evaluation and negotiation of change orders. This role ensures that each change in design or execution has a clear technical justification, aligns with contractual expectations, and is evaluated for cost and schedule impact before approval.

The Contract Engineer also coordinates inspections, supports quality assurance of major components, and helps align supplier documentation with compliance and documentation requirements. This role is embedded full-time with the project execution team and is essential for preventing scope drift, rework, or misaligned technical execution.

Location: Abilene, TX (embedded with the MSR-1 project at ACU)

Employment Status: Full-Time

Benefits: Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance, 401(k), Paid Time Off (PTO)

Responsibilities

Technical Scope Management

• Review contractor work packages, design deliverables, and engineering submittals for alignment with technical requirements and project scope
• Maintain traceability of technical scope throughout execution, supporting change documentation and field coordination
• Conduct field walkdowns or inspections to verify conformance to specifications and identify deviations early

Change Order Review and Negotiation

• Serve as the technical lead for evaluating proposed changes in scope, equipment, or execution methods
• Assess technical validity, cost impact, and schedule consequences of each change order prior to approval
• Work closely with the Project Controller and Project Manager to ensure integrated review of all commercial and technical dimensions of a change

Supplier and EPC Coordination

• Interface with Zachry Engineering and major equipment suppliers to confirm compliance with design standards and delivery schedules
• Participate in factory acceptance testing (FAT), inspection activities, and technical meetings as required
• Ensure documentation, certifications, and supplier compliance records are complete and organized

Quality and Compliance Support

• Support alignment of deliverables with documentation required for regulatory or tax incentive compliance
• Work closely with the Nuclear Regulatory Specialist and IRA Compliance Specialist to ensure design and component-level documentation supports downstream filings
• Identify potential technical risks or misalignments and flag them early for resolution

Minimum Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in engineering, project execution, or technical contract management for capital or EPC projects
• Bachelors degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Civil Engineering (or related technical field)
• Strong familiarity with technical review processes, T&M change management, and supplier interface
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and contract language
• Strong communication and coordination skills across field, office, and contractor teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with first-of-a-kind or complex capital projects in energy, infrastructure, or industrial sectors
• Background in contractor technical negotiations, scope validation, and interface control
• Familiarity with ASME standards, QA/QC processes, and major equipment package delivery
• Experience working alongside project controls, construction, and compliance teams in an integrated environment

Professional Development Requirements

Contribute to the development of scope tracking tools, inspection checklists, and change review workflows. Support internal lessons learned reporting and continuous improvement in contract engineering practices. Represent Natura in technical meetings with contractors and suppliers.

Physical Demands

Frequent travel to supplier sites, fabrication yards, and EPC locations is required. Must be able to conduct field inspections and walkdowns in construction or testing environments. Occasional lifting of technical equipment or inspection kits (up to 40 lbs) may be required.