Mechanical Engineer 1 (Entry-Level) - Nuclear (Summer 2027)

Sargent & Lundy•Chicago, IL

8d•$62,998 - $90,586•Onsite

About The Position

This position has a target start date of Summer 2027. This role offers the opportunity to directly apply knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and power plant engineering. Responsibilities include preparing calculations, specifications, and technical reports to support client recommendations and reviews, as well as conducting equipment sizing, optimization evaluation, and selection in response to project needs. 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. There is potential for 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 strong academic 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.
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of technical plans, fabrication drawings, and models.
Strong interest in numerical computations and problem solving.
Proficiency with MS Office applications.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Nice To Haves

A BS or MS degree from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program.
Related engineering internship or co-op work experience.
Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and designation as an Engineer in Training.
Experience in writing and providing support documentation for Mechanical Engineering calculations.
Coursework in power engineering, turbomachinery, thermal systems, or energy conversion.
Programming or scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate calculations, design checks, reporting, or data transformation.
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

Preparing calculations, specifications, and technical reports to support client recommendations and reviews.
Conducting equipment sizing, optimization evaluation, and selection in response to project needs.
Involvement in system engineering, including the design, modification, and analysis of power plant mechanical systems.
Potential travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews.
Potential travel to plant site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs.
Taking engineering problems from issue to solution using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
Building or using automation to create calculations, summarize technical documents, or draft design documentation, including appropriate use of agentic AI tools, with strong engineering judgment and verification of results.