Lead Mechanical Engineer 1 - Nuclear

Sargent & Lundy•Chattanooga, TN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

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! In this role, 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, and 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, and lead engineering project teams. This position is based on a hybrid work schedule and will require in-office work 3 days per week.

Requirements

BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering from an ABET accredited program
10 or more 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

PE license is preferred
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

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
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.