Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - Reactivity Controls

About the Role

As the Responsible Engineer for Reactivity Controls – Mechanical, you will lead the design, development, testing, and validation of the mechanical systems that govern reactor reactivity and ensure the safe operation of the reactor. You will architect and build the mechanical mechanisms that interface with electrical and software subsystems, collaborating closely across disciplines to define system architecture, requirements, and documentation.

The ideal candidate has a strong track record in designing and developing precision control mechanisms, preferably with experience in robotics or electromechanical systems. You will also contribute to system-level architecture trade studies and support the evaluation and selection of key vendors.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Design, build, and test the reactor’s control mechanisms, hardware, and assemblies
• Concept and develop custom actuation solutions, including mechanisms, linkages, interfaces, and instrumentation
• Define design criteria, requirements, system architecture, and verification/validation test plans
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams across thermal, structural, neutronics, controls, and simulation disciplines
• Engineer components for high-temperature, high-stress, and radiation environments using metals, ceramics, and other advanced materials
• Perform design-for-manufacturability (DFM) assessments and execute tradeoffs across performance, cost, schedule, and risk
• Conduct mechanism trade studies, document findings, and present recommendations to senior leadership

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering
• 5+ years of experience in full-cycle design engineering roles encompassing hands-on experience with CAD, analysis, build and test
• Experience with kinematic synthesis, pneumatic/hydraulic actuation, mechatronics and instrumentation
• Experience with FMEA including structure strength, stability, and fatigue failure modes

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Master's degree in engineering
• 7+ years of experience in full-cycle design engineering roles, encompassing hands-on experience with CAD, analysis, build, and test
• Experience in the Nuclear, Aerospace, or Robotics industries
• Experience in a demanding fast-paced development environment
• Experience with design engineering tools such as NX, ANSYS or Femap, and other product lifecycle software
• Experience with engineering scripting languages such as Python and MATLAB

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.