Principal Mechanical Equipment and Glovebox Design Engineer

Enercon Services, Inc.•Kennewick, WA

178d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join ENERCON Federal Services' Advanced Design and Manufacturing (ADM) team and play a pivotal role in designing advanced specialty equipment that supports some of the nation’s most complex nuclear, cleanup, and next‑generation energy missions. In this role, you’ll engineer first‑of‑a‑kind (FOAK) mechanical systems—including gloveboxes, hot cells, shielded enclosures, remote‑operated equipment, and custom facility upgrades—helping the DOE and SMR developers solve their most demanding challenges. Our Federal Services team delivers specialized engineering services across multiple Department of Energy (DOE) facilities and sites, including HVAC, hydraulic, and piping system design. Your work directly supports legacy nuclear waste cleanup, site stewardship, safe radiological waste handling, and the development of future nuclear technologies. This exciting role offers flexibility in the following office locations: Kennewick, WA, Naperville, IL, Overland Park, KS.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university
10+ years of mechanical system design experience (DOE/nuclear strongly preferred)
6+ years of advanced CAD experience (SolidWorks preferred; Inventor/CREO acceptable)
Expertise in: Mechanism design, containment systems, gloveboxes, shielding, piping/systems, manufacturing & fabrication support
Build-to-print design and reverse engineering
FOAK/specialty equipment development
Experience with one or more of the following codes and standards: AGS, AISC, ACI, ASTM C1533, ASTM C1554, ASTM C1725‑17, IAEA Safety Standards
Strong experience supporting fabrication, installation, commissioning, and FATs.
Advanced FEA skillset (structural, thermal, CFD, dynamic, modal, fatigue, creep, buckling)
Understanding of nuclear‑relevant materials and materials science considerations.
Strong communication, documentation, and client-facing skills
Ability to travel up to 10% for site walkdowns and client support
Must be a U.S. Citizen

Nice To Haves

Preferred experience with: Thermal-hydraulic analysis
HVAC, hydraulic, or piping system design
AFT FATHOM / ARROW / IMPULSE, AutoPIPE, HVAC airflow/load software
Professional Engineering (PE) license strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Design FOAK & Specialty Nuclear Equipment: Engineer gloveboxes, hot cells, containment systems, shielding structures, remote-handling mechanisms, and other specialty nuclear equipment. Develop complex mechanical and electromechanical mechanisms, process/piping systems, transportation & handling containers, and facility upgrade solutions.
Advanced 3D Modeling & Detailed Design: Create high‑fidelity 3D CAD models using SolidWorks (preferred), Inventor, or CREO (6+ years recommended). Produce build-to-print drawings, fabrication packages, and reverse-engineered models for legacy equipment. Incorporate manufacturability, assembly sequencing, ergonomics, and maintenance access into all designs.
Mechanical Analysis & Engineering Calculations: Perform FEA including structural, thermal, CFD, vibrational, modal, fatigue, creep, and buckling analyses. Conduct mechanical system calculations and design justification in accordance with DOE/NRC requirements.
Fabrication, Installation & Testing Support: Support prototype builds, manufacturing, and installation. Prepare and execute Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) plans, commissioning test plans, and operational readiness support. Interface with fabricators, machinists, and field engineers to resolve issues and optimize designs.
Nuclear Codes, Standards & Quality: Apply advanced knowledge of ASME NQA‑1, ASME BPVC Sec III/VIII, CGD processes, NRC regulations, IEEE, ASTM, AWS, and AGS and stringent configuration control. Ensure compliance with DOE nuclear facility safety and design requirements.
Collaboration, Leadership & Client Interaction: Mentor junior engineers and serve as a technical lead on multidisciplinary project teams. Engage directly with DOE clients, national laboratories, and plant engineering teams. Conduct onsite system walkdowns and translate operational and safety needs into engineered solutions. Communicate clearly with clients through documentation, presentations, and technical reviews.