Location: Knoxville, TN
Salary: Highly Competitive Plus Benefits
Contract: Permanent, full time
Reporting to: VP Stellarator Maintenance & Inspection Services
Your role in the mission:Tooling Engineers will play a pivotal role in the design, development, and implementation of complex mechanical systems and tooling solutions critical to our fusion energy programs. This role focuses on design and development of jigs, fixtures, rigging devices, machining/welding equipment and related tooling related to fabrication, assembly and eventually maintenance on components. Ultimately our work supports assembly, maintenance, repair and overhaul of high-precision manufactured and assembled fusion components.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with demonstrated experience developing tooling. Experience with automation or remotely operated systems is a plus. The successful candidate will contribute to both early-stage design and detailed manufacturing support, bringing practical, scalable solutions to complex engineering challenges in extreme environments.
This position requires a unique combination of technical fluency and project discipline. The ideal candidate will have deep familiarity with engineering development processes-particularly those involving mechanical systems potentially with electrical integration, software and hardware controls.
Ultimately, this role is pivotal to enabling our technical and programmatic success - ensuring that complex engineering efforts are delivered predictably, transparently, and in alignment with the company's broader fusion energy development roadmap.
Responsibilities:- Support the design and integration of mechanical tooling, fixtures, and tooling systems used for assembly, component handling, maintenance and inspection.
- Design and qualify remote or automated systems for operation in constrained, hazardous, or high-radiological environments.
- Review, guide, and validate designs created by peers and external suppliers to ensure technical excellence and manufacturability.
- Support FMEA, DFMA, and risk assessments for critical hardware and assemblies.
- Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to support fabrication, assembly, and qualification of mechanical systems.
- Develop and execute test plans to validate tool performance, quality execution, and automation repeatability.
- Author detailed engineering drawings, procedures, and specifications in compliance with quality and safety standards.
- Contribute to process development documentation, design reviews, and configuration control processes.
What you'll need:- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline.
- 5+ years of experience in mechanical design, manufacturing process development, or tooling engineering.
- Proven expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Welding tooling or weld process development (e.g., TIG, EB, laser, or friction stir welding).
- Tooling and system design for remote or automated operations (e.g., robotic arms, manipulators, or teleoperated systems).
- Integration of sensors, controls, or actuation systems into complex mechanical designs.
- Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks, Siemens NX, or similar) and PLM/PDM systems.
- Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, precision tolerancing, and manufacturing processes.
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience designing equipment or processes for high-radiological or nuclear environments, or for other extreme service conditions.
- Familiarity with automation, robotics, or mechatronic systems used in precision manufacturing.
- Knowledge of welding qualification standards (e.g., ASME, AWS, ISO) and experience working in a regulated engineering environment.
- Demonstrated success leading complex engineering projects from concept to production
We offer:
In addition to a basic salary and yearly bonus, you will also get...
- A hybrid work policy
- Stock options
- Relocation allowance
- Insurance plans
- Retirement options
- And many more great voluntary benefits
