Mechanical Design Engineer

SOC LLC; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SOC LLC in Wilmington, NC seeks an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer for a contract-to-hire role leading mechanical system development for first-of-a-kind uranium enrichment technology. You will own systems from concept through fabrication, lead CAD modeling, and coordinate across disciplines. Active DOE Q or Top-Secret clearance is required.

The position demands 10+ years of design experience, a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, expertise in FEA and ASME Y14.5, and strong collaboration

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years in mechanical design and product development with leadership experience.
• Experience taking mechanical equipment from concept through fabrication and testing.
• Strong fundamentals in mechanical engineering and analysis.
• Experience with structural/stress, thermal, and finite element analysis.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD and manufacturing drawings (ASME Y14.5).
• Ability to coordinate designers and engineers and lead reviews.

Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical concepts and designs from system requirements.
• Establish mechanical requirements, interfaces, and design basis inputs.
• Perform first-principles calculations to verify performance.
• Conduct structural, thermal, and FEA analyses as needed.
• Coordinate CAD models, drawings, and design documentation with the team.
• Lead design reviews and mitigate technical risks.
• Support procurement, fabrication, assembly, testing, and commissioning.
• Incorporate lessons learned into design improvements.
• Collaborate with multiple engineering disciplines and mentor staff.

Skills

Mechanical design

Leadership

3D CAD

FEM/FEA

ASME Y14.5

Technical communication

Clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Mechanical Design Engineer needed for a contract-to-hire opportunity with SOC’s client to work in Wilmington, NC.

*Must have an active DOE Q or Top-Secret Clearance to be considered*

Job Description:

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will provide technical leadership for the development of mechanical systems supporting 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, UF gas handling systems, vacuum systems, pressure boundaries, structural/support equipment, and prototype/test equipment.

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 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.

Employment Prerequisites

• The following requirements must be met to be eligible for this position: successful completion of a background investigation and drug urinalysis.

SOC, a Day & Zimmermann company, is an Equal Opportunity Employer, EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability.