Mechanical Engineer (Advanced Manufacturing & Reactor Hardware) Work Location: Waterloo, ON (5 days/week - Mon-Fri) About the Role CSMC is seeking a highly capable Mechanical Engineer to support the design, development, fabrication, and qualification of advanced reactor hardware and other mission-critical mechanical systems. This role is not focused on supporting mature production lines. Instead, you will work from first principles to determine how complex hardware should be designed, manufactured, assembled, inspected, tested, and scaled. You will collaborate closely with engineering, suppliers, fabricators, and manufacturing partners to bring hardware from concept through prototype and into production readiness. The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical engineering fundamentals with deep practical knowledge of fabrication, welding, machining, materials selection, and manufacturing processes. You should be comfortable evaluating multiple manufacturing approaches, identifying technical risks, and developing practical solutions for high-integrity hardware operating in demanding environments. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in fast-moving environments, brings structure to ambiguity, and enjoys building complex hardware from the ground up. Key Responsibilities Mechanical Design & Hardware Development - Design and develop pressure-boundary components, welded assemblies, structural systems, and mechanical hardware. - Translate engineering requirements into practical, manufacturable hardware solutions. - Create engineering drawings, specifications, manufacturing packages, and technical documentation. - Perform design trade studies considering manufacturability, cost, performance, quality, and schedule. - Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles throughout hardware development. - Support design reviews and technical decision-making activities. Manufacturing Development - Develop manufacturing strategies for pressure vessels, welded structures, machined parts, and mechanical assemblies. - Evaluate manufacturing routes including: - Plate rolling - Forming - Machining - Welding - Heat treatment - Casting - Forging - Cladding - Determine which operations should be performed internally versus outsourced. - Develop manufacturing work instructions, build procedures, and fabrication documentation. - Design or support the development of tooling, fixtures, and assembly methods. Welding, Fabrication & Pressure Systems - Support development of pressure-boundary and structural hardware. - Work directly with fabricators and suppliers to ensure manufacturability and weldability. - Participate in weld design reviews and fabrication planning activities. - Support development of inspection, testing, and qualification programs. - Ensure fabrication approaches align with applicable codes, standards, quality requirements, and safety expectations. Prototype Builds & Testing - Support fabrication, assembly, integration, and qualification of prototype hardware. - Develop testing plans and validation strategies. - Troubleshoot fabrication, assembly, and performance issues. - Analyze test results and implement design improvements. - Support first-article inspections and manufacturing readiness reviews. Supplier & Program Support - Identify and qualify suppliers, fabricators, machine shops, and manufacturing partners. - Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams on supplier selection and technical evaluations. - Support manufacturing readiness, process capability development, and supply chain qualification activities. - Participate in technical reviews with external partners and stakeholders. Continuous Improvement & Quality - Identify manufacturing risks and implement mitigation plans. - Lead structured root-cause investigations and corrective actions. - Support quality initiatives including: - PFMEA - Control plans - NCR investigations - Process qualification activities - Analyze production and test data to identify bottlenecks, variability, and improvement opportunities. Required Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. - Minimum 4 years of experience designing and developing fabricated or welded mechanical systems. - Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes including: - Welding - Machining - Fabrication - Forming - Mechanical assembly - Experience working with: - Low-alloy steels - Carbon steels - Stainless steels - Aluminum alloys - Strong understanding of: - GD&T - Tolerance stack-ups - Materials selection - Manufacturing drawings - Design documentation - Experience working directly with machine shops, weld shops, fabricators, and industrial suppliers. - Ability to develop hardware and manufacturing solutions from first principles. - Strong problem-solving, communication, and project execution skills. - Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary engineering environment. Preferred Qualifications - Experience designing pressure vessels, pressure piping, boilers, reactors, or pressure-boundary systems. - Familiarity with: - ASME BPVC - ASME Section III - ASME Section VIII - Pressure equipment design and fabrication - Experience in: - Nuclear - Aerospace - Defence - Automotive - Heavy industrial equipment - Energy systems - Experience supporting hardware development from concept through fabrication and testing. - Familiarity with welding procedures, weld qualification, and NDE processes. - Experience with manufacturing qualification and production readiness programs. - Knowledge of PFMEA, process validation, and quality management systems. - Experience working in startup, R&D, prototype development, or growth-stage engineering organizations. - Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation or eligibility for registration is considered an asset.