Lead Mechanical Engineer 1 - Nuclear

Sargent & Lundy•Metairie, LA

1d•$118,023 - $180,313•Hybrid

About The Position

This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, with three days a week in the office and two days remote. The Lead Mechanical Engineer will be involved in nuclear power plant systems design, including the preparation or review of modification packages for operating nuclear power plants, functional mechanical drawings, engineering analyses, technical specifications, procurement documents, and vendor bid evaluations. The role also involves developing engineering cost estimates, interfacing with clients at their offices or plant sites, and leading engineering project teams. A key aspect of this role involves leading others in using modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs. This includes overseeing automation and process-improvement work, such as automating calculations, summarizing technical documents, generating design documentation, and guiding the use of AI tools while ensuring results are checked.

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

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, including preparation or review of modification packages for operating nuclear power plants
Prepare or review functional mechanical drawings and/or drawings for nuclear power plant systems
Perform engineering analyses and evaluations to support modifications and operation of plant systems
Prepare technical specifications and procurement documents for plant equipment
Conduct vendor bid evaluations for plant equipment
Perform 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