Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer (Core Components)

Location: Bellevue, WA
Job Type: Contract - Remote
Schedule: 40 hours/week

System One is seeking a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Design Engineer (Core Components) to support the design and development of advanced nuclear reactor technologies. This role focuses on the conceptual and preliminary design of reactor core components, reactor structures, and Nuclear Island equipment for next-generation nuclear energy systems.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in mechanical equipment design, structural analysis, and product development, with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver innovative engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical design solutions for reactor core components, reactor structures, and Nuclear Island equipment.
• Coordinate engineering requirements and inputs from cross-functional project teams to produce detailed designs, models, drawings, and engineering specifications.
• Plan and execute design activities while maintaining project schedules and technical objectives.
• Develop and support testing strategies to validate functional and performance requirements.
• Perform design trade studies, feasibility evaluations, and scoping analyses.
• Collaborate with structural, thermal, nuclear, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams throughout the design process.
• Perform engineering reviews of drawings, calculations, analyses, and technical documentation.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers, designers, suppliers, and subcontractors.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and implement engineering best practices throughout the design lifecycle.
• Participate in design reviews and resolve technical issues during development and manufacturing.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of mechanical equipment or component design experience. Advanced degrees may be considered toward years of experience.
• Experience developing mechanical designs using 3D CAD, preferably SolidWorks.
• Experience designing and executing engineering test programs with an emphasis on product validation.
• Strong background in finite element stress analysis, mechanical analysis methods, and first-principles engineering calculations.
• Knowledge of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple engineering tasks and priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience or familiarity with ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Division 5.
• Mechanical design experience supporting commercial nuclear, advanced reactor, or other highly regulated industries.
• Experience designing reactor core assemblies or other nuclear reactor components.
• Knowledge of DOE and NRC regulations.
• Working knowledge of neutronics, thermal-hydraulics, and structural analysis.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering design efforts.
• Experience performing finite element analysis using ANSYS.
• Experience developing nuclear equipment test plans, test requirements documents, and qualification programs.
• Experience supporting manufacturing processes, first article production, and design for production.
• Experience evaluating suppliers, reviewing technical deliverables, and resolving vendor nonconformances.

Additional Information

• Travel: Up to 5%
• Work Environment: Standard office environment.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, perform computer-based work, and lift up to 25 pounds as needed.