Principal Mechanical Engineer
Location: Richland, WA
Company: Columbia Energy & Environmental Services
Salary: $120,000 - $180,000 DOE
Position Overview
We are seeking an accomplished Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our team in Richland, WA. This role provides opportunities to serve as a technical lead, project engineer, and mentor to project teams while contributing to complex design/build/test projects. The successful candidate will bring a combination of deep technical expertise, leadership ability, and a collaborative mindset to drive innovative solutions for nuclear and hazardous waste remediation, chemical processing, and nuclear ventilation systems.
Essential Responsibilities & Duties
Leadership & Mentorship
- Lead multi-disciplinary project teams in the execution of complex design/build/test projects, ensuring scope, schedule, and budget objectives are met.
- Act as a mentor and resource for junior engineers and designers, fostering technical growth and professional development.
Technical Expertise
- Provide strategic technical leadership in mechanical design, collaborating with engineers, designers, and shop staff.
- Conduct design analysis and reviews to ensure compliance with applicable industry codes and standards (e.g., ASME B31.3, ASME B&PV, ASME AG-1).
- Develop and oversee test plans and procedures, supporting system testing and troubleshooting.
- Maintain configuration control of baseline drawings and documents while ensuring accuracy and quality of design deliverables.
Project Collaboration & Fabrication Support
- Work closely with fabrication teams to ensure designs are manufacturable and optimized for production.
- Apply hands-on experience in fabrication processes to support design, manufacturability, and troubleshooting during production.
- Provide clear communication and updates to project stakeholders regarding task status, technical challenges, and progress.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives in design and fabrication processes to enhance efficiency and quality.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (ABET-accredited) or higher.
- Registered Professional Engineer (PE).
- Minimum of 15 years of demonstrated experience in mechanical engineering design.
- Proven experience leading and managing project teams across disciplines.
- Extensive experience preparing design deliverables, resolving technical review comments, and finalizing design packages.
- Strong attention to detail with ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
- Self-motivated with a focus on project needs and delivery schedules.
- U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain government security clearance (required for federal contract work).
Preferred Qualifications
- ASME NQA-1 or DOE project experience.
- Project management experience.
- Hands-on fabrication experience, with ability to provide design input to optimize manufacturability.
- Experience supporting projects at nuclear facilities or within Navy Nuclear Power systems.
- Willingness to embrace new challenges and contribute to team growth.
Key Success Attributes
- Leader & Mentor: Guides technical teams and supports professional development.
- Technically Proficient: Deep understanding of mechanical design and industry codes/standards.
- Collaborative: Works effectively across engineering, design, and fabrication teams.
- Detail-Oriented: Ensures high-quality deliverables and compliance with requirements.
- Adaptable: Able to manage competing priorities in a dynamic project environment.
