Lead Mechanical Engineer 1 - Nuclear

Sargent & LundyWarrenville, IL
$116,620 - $179,890Hybrid

About The Position

This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for three days in the office and two days remote. The position involves nuclear power plant systems design, including the preparation or review of modification packages, functional mechanical drawings, engineering analyses, technical specifications, procurement documents, vendor bid evaluations, and studies for plant modifications. Additionally, the engineer will develop cost estimates, interface with clients, make presentations, and lead engineering project teams. A key aspect of this role is leading others in leveraging modern tools like automation and AI to enhance workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs. This includes directing automation and process-improvement work, such as automating calculations, summarizing technical documents, or generating design documentation, and guiding the use of AI or agentic AI tools while ensuring result verification. The role is within Sargent & Lundy's Nuclear Power Group, a leader in nuclear engineering, design, and licensing since 1954, focusing on small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced reactor technology (ART), commercial reactor restart projects, life extensions, digital modernization of existing plants, coal-to-nuclear conversion initiatives, and international new-build projects. The group is committed to safety, innovation, and sustainability, providing solutions for clean, carbon-free energy and reducing emissions globally.

Requirements

  • BS or MS in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering from an ABET accredited program with academic coursework in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfers
  • 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
  • Willing or able to lead others who use modern tools (automation and AI)
  • 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
  • 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

Nice To Haves

  • PE license
  • Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs
  • 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

  • Prepare or review modification packages for operating nuclear power plants
  • Prepare or review functional mechanical drawings and/or drawings for nuclear power plant systems
  • Prepare or review engineering analyses and evaluations to support modifications and operation of plant systems
  • Prepare or review technical specifications and procurement documents for plant equipment
  • Prepare or review vendor bid evaluations for plant equipment
  • Prepare or review 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
  • Guide when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked

Benefits

  • Comprehensive healthcare plans
  • Generous paid time off
  • Medical, Dental, Vision Health Plans
  • Life & Accident Insurance
  • Disability Coverage
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Back-Up Daycare
  • FSA & HSA
  • 401(k)
  • Pre-Tax Commuter Account
  • Merit Scholarship Program
  • Employee Discount Program
  • Corporate Charitable Giving Program
  • Tuition Assistance
  • First Professional Licensure Bonus
  • Employee Referral Bonus
  • Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Bereavement Leave
  • Flexible Work Arrangements
  • Yearly discretionary bonus
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