Lead Balance of Plant Mechanical Engineer 1 - Nuclear

Sargent & Lundy•Richmond, VA

About The Position

This role involves nuclear power plant systems design, including the preparation or review of engineering analyses and evaluations for plant system modifications and operations. Specific areas of focus include hydraulic, heat transfer, and heat balance analyses. The position also entails preparing modification packages for operating nuclear power plants, creating functional mechanical drawings for nuclear power plant systems, developing technical specifications and procurement documents for plant equipment, evaluating vendor bids for plant equipment, and conducting studies and options evaluations for modifications to operating nuclear power plants. Additionally, the role offers opportunities to develop engineering cost estimates for small to mid-sized client-requested work scopes and to visit client sites for interfacing and presenting engineering tasks and status. The engineer will also lead engineering project teams.

Requirements

BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited program
A minimum of 10 years of experience in the power industry
Working knowledge of codes, standards, and regulations that apply to mechanical engineering design of nuclear power plants
Previous experience with power uprates and/or turbine related systems is favorable
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Nice To Haves

PE license is beneficial, but not required
Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required
Additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows

Responsibilities

Involved in nuclear power plant systems design
Preparation or review of engineering analyses and evaluations to support modifications and operation of plant systems, specifically, hydraulic, heat transfer, and heat balance analyses
Preparation or review of modification packages for operating nuclear power plants
Preparation or review of functional mechanical drawings and/or drawings for nuclear power plant systems
Preparation or review of technical specifications and procurement documents for plant equipment
Vendor bid evaluations for plant equipment
Conducting studies and options evaluations for modifications to operating nuclear power plants
Develop engineering cost estimates for small to mid-sized client-requested work scopes
Visit client office and/or plant site locations to interface with the client and make presentations related to engineering tasks and status
Lead engineering project teams
Lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs
Direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked
Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs