Senior Mechanical Engineer, Remote Handling – Full Scale Integration
Job Description:
- Apply lifecycle design principles including maintainability, inspectability, and decommissioning
- Integrate remote handling requirements into hardware architecture and system interfaces
- Develop and maintain interface control documentation supporting plant-level integration
- Design, build, and evaluate 1:1 scale mockups and integration test articles to validate handling concepts
- Develop structured test plans and acceptance criteria for full-scale demonstrations
- Coordinate test readiness reviews with QA and Systems Engineering
- Implement design updates based on mockup results, demonstrations, and operational feedback
- Support project planning and cost estimation for integration and testing activities
- Interface with vendors to ensure manufacturability and feasibility of specialized components
- Conduct risk and reliability assessments for maintenance systems
- Ensure compliance with nuclear regulations, safety standards, and applicable codes
- Maintain configuration-controlled design documentation
- Develop remote handling hardware enabling efficient component repair and replacement
- Lead hands-on design-build-test cycles to mature handling approaches
- Execute full-scale integration mockups to validate reach, clearances, tooling alignment, ergonomics, and sequencing
- Collaborate with reactor systems and operations teams to define online and offline maintenance strategies
- Identify integration risks early and mitigate through rapid prototyping and physical demonstration
- Align demonstration opportunities with reactor and facility schedules
- Develop execution plans for rapid, high-value physical demonstrations
- Support inspections, installations, shakedown, tuning, and commissioning activities
- Capture lessons learned from mockups and integration testing to inform future designs
- Partner with engineering, laboratory, shop, and materials teams to execute accelerated hardware development
- Coordinate cross-disciplinary integration efforts to ensure cohesive system performance
- Publish engineering reports documenting design details, mockup results, and integration findings
- Contribute to design basis documentation and regulatory submittals
- Share technical knowledge and best practices across the organization
- Mentor junior engineers in hardware design, integration, and prototype testing
Requirements:
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
- 8+ years of experience developing hardware for demanding applications
- Demonstrated experience with full-scale prototypes, physical integration, and hardware demonstrations
- Experience integrating mechanical and electrical systems for remote operation preferred
- Experience in nuclear, aerospace, defense, or other regulated industries preferred
- Molten salt or advanced reactor experience a plus
- Background in low-voltage systems, optical systems, and compact packaging
- Experience with servos, motors, electromagnets, or related power electronics
- Working knowledge of ASME codes and piping standards preferred
- Familiarity with data acquisition tools (LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python) a plus
- Experience mentoring junior engineers preferred
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation packages
- Medical, dental and vision benefits for employees and their dependents
- Paid Vacation
- 401(k) and pre-tax health insurance, dependent care, and commuter benefits (FSA)