CAD / Designer

Uncover; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 138,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial stock plan

Medical / Vision / Dental

Flexible PTO

Hybrid/Remote options

Job summary

Applied Atomics is seeking a skilled CAD Designer to support our nuclear plant design across reactor, BOP, and site layouts. You will create precise 3D models, assemblies, and fabrication drawings, partnering with engineers to ensure manufacturability and quality.

As one of the first designers, you will help establish modeling standards, workflows, and PLM practices while contributing to the overall layout of a first-of-a-kind nuclear plant. A fast-paced, rigorous startup environment awaits.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in drafting, CAD, engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of professional drafting/CAD experience or 10+ years with a high school diploma.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software (Siemens NX preferred; SolidWorks/Creo acceptable with transition to NX).
• Understanding of ASME Y14.5 GD&T and ability to generate detailed fabrication drawings.
• Experience with PLM systems (Teamcenter, Windchill or equivalent).
• Ability to translate concepts into manufacturable designs and robust documentation.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, and fabrication-ready drawings using Siemens NX.
• Model equipment, structures, piping, and layout for site-wide design.
• Produce 2D drawings with GD&T and BOMs for manufacturing.
• Collaborate with engineers to define interfaces and tolerances.
• Support design reviews, tolerance studies, and change control within PLM.

Skills

5+ years drafting/CAD

Siemens NX

ASME Y14.5 GD&T

PLM systems (Teamcenter/Windchill)

Detail drawing production

Education

Associates degree in drafting/CAD/engineering or related

10+ years experience with high school diploma

Tools

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

Windchill

Job description

Deploy the next generation of energy infrastructure with Applied Atomics Applied Atomics delivers firm, clean electricity with proven technology. We design, build, and operate nuclear plants directly alongside the facilities they power. With no reactor science or new fuel to invent, we have no reason to stall. We are the first fully integrated nuclear power provider built to deploy now. Founded by a team of engineers and operators who built the launch sites, test complexes, and factories behind SpaceX, designed and commercialized nuclear reactors, and ran billion-dollar asset portfolios, the team is now focused on clean power deployment. Applied Atomics is backed by Alpaca VC, Transition, and Morpheus Ventures.

About the role

Applied Atomics is seeking a highly skilled CAD Designer with a strong background in 3D modeling and engineering design to support development across our entire product line, including the reactor system, balance-of-plant (BOP) systems, and overall plant / site layouts. You will work closely with engineers from Nuclear Engineering, Balance of Plant, and Infrastructure / Site Development to create accurate 3D models, assemblies, drawings, and layouts that enable rapid iteration, manufacturability, and high-quality hardware execution. This is a foundational role in our growing design organization. As one of the first designers on the team, you will help build our modeling standards, workflows, drafting methodologies, and PLM integration practices, while directly contributing to the physical layout and design of a first-of-a-kind (FOAK) nuclear power plant. If you excel in complex CAD environments, enjoy solving real engineering problems, and want to be part of a fast-paced, technically rigorous startup, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Create detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, and fabrication ready drawings using Siemens NX (primary modeling software).
• Create relevant 3D CAD models of various equipment, structures, systems and/or components (e.g., Overall site layout, mechanical components and assemblies, piping and instrumentation, etc.).
• Generate accurate 2D manufacturing drawings, complete with GD&T (ASME Y14.5), and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Work closely with Responsible Engineers (RE’s) to translate concepts into manufacturable designs.
• Assist in defining mechanical interfaces between systems and components.
• Support design reviews, tolerance stack-ups, and fit-check studies to validate form, fit, & function.
• Prepare and update drawings for manufacturing, assembly, installation, and construction.
• Maintain design data, revisions, and release processes within the PLM system (e.g., Teamcenter).
• Follow and help develop best practices for modeling standards, assembly structuring, drafting templates and annotation styles, and BOM generation.
• Help establish and reinforce internal modeling and drafting standards as the company grows.
• Support engineering across the Nuclear engineering (core support structures, shielding interfaces, & mechanisms), Balance-of-Plant engineering (piping, steam/water systems, pressure components, & HEXs), and Infrastructure & site development (plant layout, equipment rooms, routing, etc.) teams.
• Assist in multidisciplinary layout work including routing, equipment placement, access/maintenance envelopes, and construction-driven geometry.
• Interpret engineering schematics, P&IDs, layout sketches, and technical drawings.
• Identify opportunities for simplification and improvements with Design for Manufacture and Design for Assembly in mind.
• Support prototype builds, test setups, and design updates based on real hardware feedback.
• Collaborate in planning, scheduling, and organization of detailed phases of engineering work.

Additional Responsibilities

• Take end-to-end responsibility for your projects, from initial concepts through to deployment and ongoing operations.
• Partner closely with our multidisciplinary team of experienced engineers to tackle complex, cross-functional challenges.
• Deliver high-quality work steadily and safely, ensuring every solution meets our rigorous quality standards while also for solving scalability issues in the future.
• Continually improve our internal engineering processes, documentation, and tools to support the team as we scale.

What you bring to the table

Need to haves

• Associates degree in drafting, CAD, engineering or related degree.
• 5+ years of professional drafting / CAD experiences, or 10+ years of relevant industry experience with a high school diploma.
• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD software (Siemens NX preferred; SolidWorks, Creo, etc. acceptable with willingness to transition to NX).
• Understanding and application of ASME Y14.5 GD&T.
• Experience with PLM systems (Teamcenter, Windchill, or equivalent).
• Ability to generate clear, accurate, fully-detailed drawings suitable for fabrication and assembly.
• Strong technical communication and documentation skills.
• Self-starter and ownership mentality.
• Eagerness to learn, ask questions, and contribute to a fast-moving, multidisciplinary team.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in industrial, aerospace, energy or defense hardware environments.
• Familiarity with piping, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, or steam cycle equipment.
• Knowledge of materials, coatings, machining, welding, and fabrication methods.
• Experience with mechanical/industrial codes and applying to system designs (ASME, API, NRC, etc.).
• Hands‑on experience with hardware and prototype assembly.
• Experience supporting design of piping, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, or steam systems.
• Experience contributing to plant‑level or system‑level layouts (mechanical rooms, equipment placement, routing, etc.).

BENEFITS & PERKS FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES

• Substantial incentive stock plan for all full-time employees.
• Medical / Vision / Dental (details forthcoming).
• Flexible PTO policy.
• Hybrid and remote work options depending on role.
• Other benefits to be announced at offer stage.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time. This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.

Remote pay range $138,342 — $195,322 USD