Mechanical Engineer 1 (Entry-Level) - 3D Modeling - Nuclear

Sargent & Lundy•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Sargent & Lundy is seeking a Mechanical Engineer 1 – 3D Modeling to support the development of 3D models and support System Design for nuclear power and other large power projects. This role is intended for early-career candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and foundational CAD skills who are interested in learning industry-standard tools and working alongside experienced engineers and designers. This position will offer you the ability to directly apply your knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and power plant engineering. While supporting project teams with other Mechanical Engineers, you will be involved in system engineering, including the design, modification, and analysis of power plant mechanical systems. You will receive on-the-job training in our tools, standards, and quality processes and will contribute to real projects from day one. There is the potential for you to travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs.

Requirements

BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering with a background and interest in thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, power engineering, turbomachinery, thermal systems, and energy conversion
Knowledge of the practical application of mechanical engineering and technology including applying systems, principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to a project design
Proficiency/experience with at least one CAD/3D platform (e.g., AutoCAD, AutoCAD Plant 3D, Revit, SolidWorks, Hexagon SmartPlant, or similar) from school, internships, or prior work
Ability to read and interpret basic engineering drawings (plans, sections, elevations)
Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate work
Willingness to learn new software tools, standards, and workflows
Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to work in a team environment

Nice To Haves

A BS or MS degree from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program
Internship, co-op, or project experience on industrial, power, or infrastructure projects
Exposure to any 3D/BIM plant design tools (e.g., Intergraph Smart 3D, AutoCAD 2D/3D, AutoCAD Plant 3D, AutoCAD MEP, Revit, Hexagon SmartPlant, Bentley OpenPlant Modeler, PDMS/E3D).
Familiarity with basic concepts of configuration control and quality assurance
Experience using any model review or clash detection tools (e.g., Autodesk Navisworks) is a plus
Programming or scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate calculations, design checks, reporting, or data transformation is valued but not required.
Additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other training in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that helps you apply automation or agentic AI to real engineering problems.

Responsibilities

Build and update 3D models in coordination with senior designers and engineers using company-standard CAD/3D platforms
Support System Design from 3D models following established standards and processes
Follow CAD standards, configuration control, and QA procedures for all modeling
Maintain organized model files, reference files, and documentation in the project data environment
Support preparation for model and drawing reviews