Fea Engineer - ASME

Actalent; Knoxville (TN); Remote; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an experienced FEA Engineer to perform static and transient analyses, deliver DBA evaluations, and assess failure modes for advanced reactor components.

Candidates should have 20+ years in engineering, a mechanical/structural background, and strong reporting skills. Hybrid/remote collaboration is supported as part of a global engineering team.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience with finite element analysis and structural evaluations.
• Experience applying DBA per ASME Section VIII Division 2.
• Ability to evaluate plastic collapse, buckling, fatigue, creep in pressure-retaining components.
• Strong understanding of structural mechanics and pressure vessel design.
• Experience performing static and transient FEA analyses.

Responsibilities

• Perform static structural and transient FEA for pressure-retaining components.
• Conduct DBA evaluations per ASME VIII Division 2.
• Evaluate failure modes: plastic collapse, buckling, fatigue, creep.
• Develop engineering calculations and technical reports for design decisions.
• Support design, qualification, and code compliance activities for reactor systems.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate analysis results.
• Use simulation tools to validate concepts and optimize performance.
• Communicate results clearly in reports and discussions.

Skills

FEA expertise

DBA ASME VIII-2

Structural mechanics

Static & transient FEA

20+ years experience

PE license preferred

Technical writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Communication of results

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical/Structural/Civil Eng

Tools

ANSYS

Job description

Job Title: FEA Engineer

Job Description

This role supports the design and development of advanced reactor systems by performing finite element analysis and structural evaluations. The FEA Engineer conducts engineering assessments of pressure-retaining and structural components using Design-by-Analysis methodologies and simulation tools to ensure robust design, qualification, and code compliance. The position focuses on analyzing structural integrity, identifying potential failure modes, and providing clear, well-documented engineering guidance to multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Perform static structural and transient mechanical finite element analyses (FEA) for pressure-retaining and structural components.
• Conduct Design-by-Analysis (DBA) evaluations in accordance with ASME Section VIII Division 2 requirements.
• Evaluate structural integrity and potential failure modes, including plastic collapse, buckling, ratcheting, fatigue, and creep.
• Develop detailed engineering calculations, technical reports, and supporting documentation to justify design decisions and ensure traceability.
• Support component design, qualification, and code compliance activities for advanced reactor systems and related structures.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to evaluate complex systems and components and to integrate analysis results into design solutions.
• Use simulation tools to validate design concepts, optimize component performance, and identify potential design improvements.
• Communicate analysis results, assumptions, and recommendations clearly to stakeholders, both in written reports and in technical discussions.

Essential Skills

• Extensive experience performing finite element analysis and structural engineering evaluations.
• Experience applying ASME Section VIII Division 2 Design-by-Analysis (DBA) methodologies.
• Proven ability to evaluate plastic collapse, buckling, ratcheting, fatigue, and creep behavior in pressure-retaining and structural components.
• Strong understanding of structural mechanics, pressure vessel design, and advanced reactor system components.
• Proficiency in performing static structural and transient mechanical FEA.
• Minimum of 20 years of relevant engineering experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Ability to prepare high-quality engineering calculations, technical reports, and documentation that support design and code compliance.
• Strong collaboration skills to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Attention to detail and a methodical approach to assessing structural integrity and potential failure modes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Proficiency with ANSYS simulation tools strongly preferred.
• Experience performing fatigue and buckling analysis in accordance with relevant codes and standards.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• Experience in advanced reactor systems or similar highly regulated industries is beneficial.
• Experience supporting component qualification and code compliance activities.
• Ability to clearly communicate complex analysis results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong technical writing skills for producing comprehensive reports and design justifications.

Work Environment

This position operates in a remote work environment, providing flexibility in location while supporting complex engineering projects. The role relies heavily on the use of advanced simulation tools, particularly finite element analysis software and ANSYS, to perform detailed structural and mechanical evaluations. Collaboration occurs through virtual meetings and digital communication platforms, enabling close coordination with multidisciplinary engineering teams across different locations. The work is analysis-focused, computer-based, and centered on delivering high-quality engineering assessments and documentation in support of advanced reactor system design and qualification.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Knoxville, TN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $90.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness
• Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 2, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.