Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Senior Mechanical Engineer - Nuclear Power Uprate ProjectsJob Description

This Senior mechanical engineering role focuses on supporting power uprate projects at existing nuclear power plants. The position requires at least five years of relevant mechanical engineering experience and an accredited bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. You will lead the development of design inputs, validate scoping documents for system evaluations, and perform engineering reviews to demonstrate the technical feasibility of power uprates. You will provide technical leadership on equipment specifications, hydraulic calculations, and datasheet development, while guiding designers and collaborating closely with plant staff, engineering teams, and vendors. The role demands strong judgment, the ability to make sound decisions with limited information, and significant experience in the design of new construction or retrofit projects for power generation or heavy industrial facilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide mechanical engineering support to develop design inputs for power uprate projects at existing nuclear power plants.
• Validate scoping documents for system evaluations to ensure completeness, accuracy, and alignment with project objectives.
• Perform detailed engineering reviews of work products to demonstrate the feasibility of power uprate concepts and associated plant modifications.
• Lead the development of equipment specifications and datasheets for valves, tanks, pumps, and balance-of-plant equipment.
• Perform and review hydraulic calculations to support system design, equipment sizing, and overall plant performance evaluations.
• Develop design input requirements and communicate them clearly to designers and other engineering disciplines.
• Provide technical direction and oversight to designers during detailed design activities, ensuring adherence to engineering principles, codes, and standards.
• Review and check engineering reports, drawings, and calculations related to uprate activities and required plant modifications.
• Develop, prepare, and check Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) for accuracy, functionality, and compliance with design requirements.
• Lead the overall design and layout of piping systems, including pipe sizing, routing, material selection, and pipe support design.
• Select appropriate mechanical equipment and prepare inquiry packages and technical data sheets for procurement.
• Apply significant knowledge of mechanical engineering design principles, as well as applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements, to all project work.
• Use engineering software such as FATHOM, PEPSE, or similar tools to support hydraulic and system performance analyses.
• Collaborate effectively with plant staff, design engineering personnel, and vendors to resolve technical issues and advance project objectives.
• Exercise sound engineering judgment and make informed decisions with minimal information, balancing technical, operational, and regulatory considerations.
• Support and contribute to power uprate implementation by considering engineering, operations, and licensing impacts in design decisions.
• Prepare clear, concise technical documentation and reports that support design bases and licensing needs.
• Communicate complex technical concepts effectively to multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of related mechanical engineering experience, preferably in the commercial nuclear industry or similar power generation or heavy industrial facilities.
• Accredited bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
• Significant experience with design of new construction and retrofit projects for power generation or heavy industrial facilities.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical engineering design principles and practices.
• Proficiency with applicable mechanical codes, standards, and regulatory requirements relevant to nuclear or power generation facilities.
• Experience in the development, preparation, and checking of Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).
• Experience with overall design and layout of piping systems, including pipe sizing, routing, and material selection.
• Experience in pipe support design and integration with structural and plant layout constraints.
• Experience in equipment selection and specification for tanks, pumps, valves, and balance-of-plant mechanical equipment.
• Experience preparing inquiry packages and technical datasheets for mechanical equipment procurement.
• Hands-on experience performing hydraulic calculations to support system and equipment design.
• Ability to take a lead role in detailed design activities and guide designers and junior engineers.
• Ability to make sound engineering decisions using judgment, even with limited or incomplete information.
• Strong technical writing skills for preparing clear engineering reports, design bases, and technical documentation.
• Effective verbal communication skills for collaboration with plant staff, engineering teams, and vendors.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with plant personnel, design engineering staff, and vendors.
• Familiarity with nuclear plant systems, design processes, operations, or licensing.
• At least 5 years of commercial nuclear industry experience, where applicable.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license in mechanical engineering is highly desired.
• Experience working at a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) or Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) facility.
• Direct involvement in a power uprate project, such as Extended Power Uprate (EPU) or other uprate initiatives, at a commercial nuclear plant.
• Demonstrated understanding of engineering, operations, or licensing considerations associated with power uprate implementation.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline is preferred for candidates from closely aligned fields.
• Experience with FATHOM, PEPSE, or similar engineering software for hydraulic and system performance analyses.
• Background in nuclear power, capital projects, retrofit work, or power generation projects.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and maintain high-quality output in a complex, regulated environment.

Work Environment

This role operates within a highly regulated nuclear power generation environment that emphasizes safety, quality, and rigorous adherence to engineering and licensing requirements. You will work closely with plant operations staff, design engineers from multiple disciplines, and external vendors, often collaborating on complex retrofit and uprate projects. The position involves extensive use of engineering design tools, hydraulic analysis software such as FATHOM and PEPSE (or similar), and standard office productivity applications. Work is primarily performed in an office or engineering design setting, with potential visits to plant facilities and industrial areas to support design reviews, walkdowns, and implementation planning. The culture encourages technical excellence, clear documentation, and proactive communication to ensure safe and reliable plant performance while delivering successful capital projects and power uprate initiatives.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Birmingham, AL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Birmingham,AL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 22, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.