Senior Mechanical Engineer
Wilmington, NC
Full-Time | On-Site
Q-Clearance Required or Eligible
Reporting to the Mechanical Engineering Manager, the Senior Mechanical Engineer will provide technical leadership for the development of mechanical systems supporting Global Laser Enrichment's (GLE) first-of-a-kind uranium enrichment technology program.
The Senior Mechanical Engineer will own assigned mechanical systems and components from conceptual design through fabrication, assembly, testing, and commissioning. The role will translate requirements and design basis inputs into engineered solutions, perform and document engineering analyses, and coordinate Mechanical Designers in the development of detailed models and drawings.
Primary equipment includes separator/cascade equipment, UF₆ gas handling systems, vacuum systems, pressure boundaries, structural/support equipment, and prototype/test equipment.
NOTE: This role is subject to the incumbent's ability to hold and maintain an NRC Q-clearance and nuclear site access.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Develop mechanical concepts and design solutions based on system and process requirements.
- Establish mechanical requirements, design criteria, interfaces, and design basis inputs.
- Perform and document first-principles engineering calculations to establish and verify expected equipment performance.
- Perform structural, stress, and thermal analyses and finite element analysis (FEA), as appropriate.
- Determine when specialized analysis is required, define the scope, and review results.
- Coordinate Mechanical Designers in developing detailed CAD models, drawings, and design documentation.
- Lead and participate in design reviews and resolve technical risks and design issues.
- Support procurement, fabrication, assembly, installation, testing, and commissioning.
- Evaluate test results and field issues and incorporate lessons learned into design improvements.
- Coordinate with process, systems, test, manufacturing, electrical, controls, and other engineering disciplines.
- Provide technical mentoring and guidance to engineers and designers.
- Support development and improvement of mechanical engineering standards and practices.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field.
- 10+ years of mechanical design and product development experience, including leadership of complex engineering programs.
- Demonstrated experience developing mechanical equipment from concept through fabrication and testing.
- Strong knowledge of mechanical engineering fundamentals and engineering analysis.
- Experience with structural/stress, thermal, and finite element analysis.
- Proficiency with 3D CAD and manufacturing drawings.
- Knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (ASME Y14.5).
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical work and coordinate designers and engineers.
- Strong technical problem-solving, communication, and documentation skills.
- Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearance and nuclear site access.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience developing first-of-a-kind R&D or prototype equipment.
- Experience with vacuum systems, pressure boundaries, or gas handling systems.
- Experience supporting fabrication, assembly, testing, and commissioning.
- Experience working in nuclear, classified, or highly regulated environments.
- Experience mentoring engineers or designers.
