Lead Mechanical Engineer 1 - Nuclear

Sargent & Lundy•Knoxville, TN

2d•$116,620 - $179,890•Onsite

About The Position

This will be a full-time (5 days/week) on-site position at TRISO-X Fuel Fabrication Facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. You will be involved in nuclear power plant systems design, including preparation or review of: Modification packages for operating nuclear power plants Functional mechanical drawings and/or drawings for nuclear power plant systems Engineering analyses and evaluations to support modifications and operation of plant systems Technical specifications and procurement documents for plant equipment Vendor bid evaluations for plant equipment Studies and options evaluations for modifications to operating nuclear power plants In addition, you will have the opportunity to: 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 AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools: You are expected to 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. Leaders in these roles often 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, is valued but not required. We also value 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. About This Business Unit Join Sargent & Lundy's Nuclear Power Group and be part of a team driving the future of clean, carbon-free energy. Since 1954, we’ve been a trusted leader in nuclear engineering, design, and licensing, with expertise spanning small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced reactor technology (ART), and first-of-a-kind commercial reactor restart projects. Our work supports life extensions and digital modernization of existing nuclear plants, coal-to-nuclear conversion initiatives with the Department of State, and international nuclear new-build projects. With a commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainability, we provide cutting-edge solutions that power communities worldwide while reducing emissions. Shape the future of global energy with us!

Requirements

BS or MS in Mechanical or Chemical 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

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 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 engineering analyses and evaluations to support modifications and operation of plant systems
Preparation or review of technical specifications and procurement documents for plant equipment
Preparation or review of vendor bid evaluations for plant equipment
Preparation or review of 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.