Lead Balance of Plant Mechanical Engineer 1 - Nuclear

Sargent & Lundy•Richmond, VA

4d•$118,023 - $180,313

About The Position

This role involves nuclear power plant systems design, including the preparation or review of engineering analyses and evaluations to support modifications and operation of plant systems, specifically hydraulic, heat transfer, and heat balance analyses. The position also includes preparing modification packages for operating nuclear power plants, creating functional mechanical drawings and/or 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, there are opportunities to develop engineering cost estimates for small to mid-sized client-requested work scopes, visit client offices and/or plant sites to interface with the client and present engineering tasks and status, and lead engineering project teams. In this role, people are expected to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools, including automation and AI, to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs. Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, such as automating calculations, summarizing technical documents, or generating 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, is valued but not required. Additional learning in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields is also valued.

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
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with power uprates and/or turbine related systems is favorable
PE license is beneficial, but not required
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

Prepare or review engineering analyses and evaluations to support modifications and operation of plant systems, specifically hydraulic, heat transfer, and heat balance analyses.
Prepare modification packages for operating nuclear power plants.
Create functional mechanical drawings and/or drawings for nuclear power plant systems.
Develop technical specifications and procurement documents for plant equipment.
Evaluate vendor bids for plant equipment.
Conduct 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.
Oversee engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs.