Senior Mechanical Engineer - Machine Design

Aalo Atomics•Austin, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

As a Mechanical Engineer on the Fuel Handling System (FHS) team, you will design and build the core machinery that enables safe, reliable refueling and fuel processing for a sodium-cooled nuclear reactor. This includes complex electromechanical systems such as sealed handling machines, hoist and grapple mechanisms, shielding structures, valve and sealing systems, and sodium-compatible components. You will own subsystems end-to-end—from early concept and trade studies through detailed design, fabrication, testing, and commissioning. This is a highly hands-on role working directly alongside technicians and manufacturing engineers in a co-located design and fabrication environment. The systems you design will operate in extreme environments (radiation, high temperature sodium, inert gas) and must achieve high reliability with minimal operational complexity. You will be expected to move quickly, challenge assumptions, and iterate through testing.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
6+ years of experience designing mechanical systems
Strong experience with mechanisms, structures, and/or sealing systems
Proven track record of taking hardware from concept through build and test
Comfortable working hands-on in a fast-paced, hardware-focused environment
Based in the United States
Willing to work on-site in Austin, TX

Nice To Haves

Experience with high-temperature or chemically aggressive environments (e.g., sodium, vacuum, inert gas systems)
Design of valves, seals, bellows, or pressure boundaries
Experience with cranes, hoists, or precision handling mechanisms
Background in fluid systems (hydraulics, gas handling, or high-pressure systems)
Exposure to nuclear, aerospace, or other high-reliability industries
Experience working closely with fabrication teams (machining, welding, assembly)
Participation in hands-on engineering projects (e.g., robotics, race teams, hardware startups)

Responsibilities

Own the design and delivery of mechanical subsystems within the fuel handling system
Design mechanisms including hoists, grippers, turret systems, and handling interfaces for fuel assemblies
Develop robust sealing solutions for sodium-tolerant, air-tight systems and plug interfaces
Design structures and shielding systems to safely contain and transport radioactive material
Work closely with manufacturing to ensure designs are buildable, testable, and scalable
Lead hands-on prototyping, fabrication, and system integration efforts
Develop and execute test plans to validate performance in realistic environments (thermal, sodium exposure, inert gas, etc.)
Iterate rapidly based on test data and operational feedback
Collaborate across disciplines (nuclear, thermal, controls) to integrate full system functionality
Support installation, commissioning, and field operations (including some travel)