We place the engineers who build the shade for future generations.
Kernel Partners specializes in nuclear energy recruitment because we believe in building something that outlasts you and I. There’s a Greek proverb that says a society grows great when people plant trees whose shade they’ll never sit in — and that’s exactly what nuclear energy represents to me.
The engineers, operators, and specialists I place today are laying the foundations for a clean, reliable energy future that our children and grandchildren will depend on. These aren’t just jobs — they’re the people designing the reactors, safeguarding the systems, and solving the problems that will define how the world powers itself for the next century.
Nuclear is one of the few industries where the work you do genuinely matters at a civilisational scale. That’s why I’m in it, and that’s why I take finding the right people so seriously.
We operate as a true partner to our clients placing full-time, direct-hire engineers.
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Kernel Partners is intentionally small and founder-led. Every search is run personally by the firm’s founder, who serves as the sole point of contact for both clients and candidates. There is no volume recruiting, no delegation to junior researchers, and no reliance on keyword matching. We will never leave you questioning who is representing your brand and how they are doing so.
As a solo recruiting led firm, our approach is highly personalized: we invest the time to understand:
By serving as a core partner throughout the hiring process, we build relationships grounded in discretion, transparency, and long-term success.
Reactor Engineers
Core design, thermal-hydraulics, fuel cycle analysis for existing and advanced reactors.
Control Systems Engineer
Instrumentation & controls, cyber-physical integration, digital upgrades to legacy plant.
Radiation Protection Specialist
RP programmes, dose monitoring, regulatory interface, decommissioning support.
Systems integration, FMEA, reliability analysis for new build and SMR programmes.
Safety-critical software, simulation code development, digital twin applications.
Kernel Partners was founded by Gerry Penford, an energy technology recruiter with 15 years of experience building recruiting desks from the ground up and delivering results in demanding, high-stakes environments. Over his career, Gerry has established three successful desks from scratch and personally completed more than 300 placements in technical energy disciplines.
As a four-time top performer and biller, he combines deep recruiting judgment with a strong foundation in law and finance, holding a BSc in Law and a CFP certification. Gerry works directly with both clients and candidates, ensuring precision, alignment, and long-term outcomes on every search with founder-led accountability.
