Lead Mechanical Engineer 1 (Project Manager / Program Manager) - Nuclear

Sargent & Lundy•Chattanooga, TN

3d•$118,023 - $180,313•Hybrid

About The Position

This position will offer you the opportunity to manage project(s) consisting of engineers, designers, and controls and scheduling professionals involved in the design, modification, and analysis of new and existing nuclear power plant modifications. The position will involve coordinating with multiple internal and external departments to manage the life cycle of project execution. The role involves leading efforts to ensure projects are completed safely, satisfactorily, on time, and within budget, supporting the reporting of key performance indicators, and identifying and controlling construction risk and change. Responsibilities include preparing and reviewing modification packages, mechanical drawings, engineering analyses, technical specifications, procurement documents, and conducting vendor bid evaluations. The role also requires communicating with stakeholders, preparing technical reports, and analyzing issues to provide solutions.

Requirements

BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering from an ABET-accredited engineering program
Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary teams
10 or more years of experience in a technical field (engineering, construction, planning, etc.)
5 or more years of experience in the power industry
5 or more years of experience with serving as a firm/client liaison in a support or lead role
Ability to multitask and manage multiple competing priorities
Proven experience completing technical deliverables for modification packages for operating power plants
Knowledge of codes, standards, and regulations that apply to mechanical engineering design of nuclear power plants
Engineering design experience
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work in a collaborative team setting
Schedule and budget development and management

Nice To Haves

Construction Management, MBA, or other management/business degree
PMP Certification
Experience writing proposals
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

Responsible for project execution, coordination of resources from each discipline as required.
Take ownership for all aspects of project performance including safety, schedule, budget, reporting and client experience through entire project lifecycle.
Manage and direct the project team to ensure accountability. Mentor and coach team members.
Develop and maintain a positive working relationship with client task engineers and stakeholders.
Lead efforts to ensure projects are completed safely, satisfactorily, on time, and within budget.
Support the reporting of key performance indicators for schedule, budget and other dashboard items.
Identify and control construction risk.
Recognize, identify, track and control change.
Prepare and review modification packages, mechanical drawings, and engineering analyses or evaluations for operating nuclear plants and systems as required.
Prepare technical specifications and procurement documents, and conduct vendor bid evaluations for plant equipment as required.
Communicate and consult with appropriate stakeholders and supervisors.
Prepare reports and studies that present technical information in a clear and concise manner and meet client requirements and Sargent & Lundy formats.
Analyze issues and provide solutions to improve results.
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.