Senior Mechanical Engineer 1 - Nuclear

Sargent & Lundy•Chicago, IL

16h•Hybrid

About The Position

This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, with three days a week in the office and two days remote. The Senior Mechanical Engineer will be involved in nuclear power plant systems design. This includes preparing or reviewing modification packages for operating nuclear power plants, functional mechanical drawings, engineering analyses and evaluations, technical specifications and procurement documents, vendor bid evaluations, and studies for modifications. The role also involves developing engineering cost estimates, visiting client sites for presentations, and potentially leading engineering project teams. In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools: You are expected to 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. Leaders in these roles often 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, is valued but not required. We also value 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.

Requirements

BS or MS in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering from an ABET accredited program with academic coursework in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfers
A minimum of 5 years of experience in the power industry
Working knowledge of codes, standards, and regulations that apply to mechanical engineering design of nuclear power plants

Nice To Haves

PE license is beneficial, but not required
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

Modification packages for operating nuclear power plants
Functional mechanical drawings and/or drawings for nuclear power plant systems
Engineering analyses and evaluations to support modifications and operation of plant systems
Technical specifications and procurement documents for plant equipment
Vendor bid evaluations for plant equipment
Studies and options evaluations for modifications to operating nuclear power plants
Develop engineering cost estimates for small to mid-sized client-requested work scopes
Visit client office and/or plant site locations to interface with the client and make presentations related to engineering tasks and status
Lead engineering project teams
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.
Oversee engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs.