CAD / Designer Remote, USA

Applied Atomics LLC; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 138,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial stock options

Medical / Vision / Dental

Flexible PTO

Hybrid and remote work options

Job summary

Applied Atomics seeks an experienced CAD Designer to support design across the reactor system, BOP and site layouts. You will develop 3D models, detailed drawings, and layouts to enable rapid iteration and high-quality hardware execution.

You will help establish modeling standards and PLM workflows, working with engineers from Nuclear Engineering, BOP, and Infrastructure teams to translate concepts into manufacturable designs for a first-of-a-kind nuclear power plant.

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.
• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD software (Siemens NX preferred; SolidWorks/Creo acceptable with transition to NX).
• Understanding of ASME Y14.5 GD&T.
• Experience with PLM systems (Teamcenter, Windchill, or equivalent).
• Ability to generate clear, accurate, fully detailed drawings for fabrication and assembly.
• Excellent technical communication.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, and fabrication-ready drawings using Siemens NX.
• Develop site layouts and equipment arrangements across reactor, BOP and infrastructure.
• Produce accurate 2D drawings with GD&T and BOMs.
• Collaborate with engineers across Nuclear, BOP, and Infrastructure teams.
• Help establish modeling standards and PLM integration practices.
• Support design reviews, tolerance analyses, and interface definitions.

Skills

3D CAD modeling

ASME Y14.5 GD&T

Engineering design

Technical communication

NX experience

Education

Associates degree in drafting, CAD, engineering or related degree

Tools

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

Creo

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 b acked 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.

Why we need you

We are transitioning nuclear energy from a theoretical science into a practical reality, and that requires practical problem-solvers. We need engineers who are eager to take direct responsibility for their work and see it through to completion. Your role will be critical in transforming complex designs into safe, reliable, and operational power plants that will operate for decades to come.

What you will do

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 Nuclearengineering (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.
• Eagerness to learn, ask questions, and contribute to a fast‑moving, multidisciplinary team.

Nice‑to‑haves:

• Experience inindustrial, 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 hardwareand 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