Mechanical Engineer

Actalent; Naperville (IL); Remote; USD 55,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work option

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Mechanical Engineer for nuclear power projects with a flexible remote work option. This role delivers high‑quality mechanical/ME designs from concept through implementation, supporting calculations, design deliverables, and engineering change control for major projects.

Based in Naperville, IL, this contract‑to‑hire opportunity offers remote collaboration with client teams and long‑term growth.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited B.S. in Mechanical Engineering required.
• Significant nuclear industry design experience.
• Strong knowledge of codes, standards, and QA for nuclear plants.
• Proven ability to perform and review complex engineering calculations.
• Experience with mechanical design, thermodynamics, hydraulics, heat transfer, and materials.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical/ME design activities for nuclear power plant projects.
• Perform analyses, develop designs, and support ECN/engineering change control.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and station stakeholders to set priorities.
• Prepare technical calculations, reports, and client deliverables with accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with nuclear codes, QA standards, and design requirements.

Skills

Nuclear design experience

Nuclear QA standards

Engineering calculations

Project coordination

Engineering Change Control

Time management

Client relationships

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Nuclear codes and standards

ABET Mechanical Eng

Mechanical design

AutoCAD drafting

Engineering calculations review

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited university

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer (Remote)

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Mechanical Engineer to join a rapidly growing engineering organization supporting major nuclear power projects across the U.S. The company is winning work at an exceptional pace and recently secured a $6 million project on the East Coast, creating an immediate need for experienced nuclear engineering talent.

The Mechanical Engineer will deliver high-quality engineering solutions for nuclear power plant projects by analyzing complex technical problems, developing effective designs, and supporting engineering deliverables from concept through implementation. You will evaluate mechanical and electromechanical systems using core engineering principles while providing technical guidance on design, construction methods, and Engineering Change Control.

This position offers the opportunity to tackle challenging engineering problems while collaborating directly with clients and multidisciplinary engineering teams. It's an excellent fit for an engineer who wants meaningful nuclear project work, long-term career growth, technical challenges, and the flexibility of a remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Complete mechanical engineering projects by analyzing problems, defining technical requirements, and organizing project elements from concept through implementation.
• Provide technical expertise on mechanical design processes and construction methods for nuclear power plant systems and components.
• Lead and support technical investigations, system analyses, model studies, and engineering evaluations.
• Perform and review complex engineering calculations and design deliverables for accuracy, compliance, and constructability.
• Analyze mechanical and electromechanical systems using principles of mechanics, thermodynamics, hydraulics, heat transfer, and materials science.
• Develop practical engineering solutions and clearly defined deliverables that address client needs and technical challenges.
• Collaborate with engineers, project teams, and station stakeholders to establish priorities, align project scope, and resolve technical issues.
• Support work planning, schedules, and resource requirements for assigned engineering projects.
• Apply applicable nuclear codes, standards, regulations, and quality assurance requirements throughout design and project execution.
• Support and implement client Engineering Change Control processes for nuclear power generation facilities.
• Prepare technical reports, calculations, documentation, and presentations for clients and internal teams.
• Manage multiple engineering priorities while building strong, trusted relationships with station customers and project partners.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited university.
• 515 years of relevant mechanical engineering experience.
• Demonstrated nuclear industry design experience.
• Working knowledge of codes, standards, and regulations applicable to mechanical engineering design within nuclear power plants.
• Knowledge of Nuclear Quality Assurance Standards.
• Ability to perform and review complex engineering calculations and design deliverables.
• Strong mechanical design and engineering analysis experience involving mechanics, thermodynamics, hydraulics, heat transfer, and materials.
• Experience with AutoCAD for mechanical design and drafting.
• Project engineering experience, including coordinating project elements, priorities, and schedules.
• Experience interpreting and supporting Engineering Change Control processes for nuclear power generation utilities.
• Strong time management and ability to successfully manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work directly with station customers and develop trusted professional relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience as a mid-level Mechanical Engineer supporting nuclear power plant design.
• Engineering consulting experience within the energy industry.
• Ability to provide technical guidance related to engineering design processes and construction methods.
• Experience leading or supporting engineering investigations, system studies, and technical evaluations.
• Comfortable working within a fast-growing, entrepreneurial engineering environment.
• Interest in developing your career through either a technical or managerial career path.

Work Environment

This opportunity combines career flexibility with challenging, high-impact nuclear engineering work. The organization provides engineering, design, analysis, and consulting services for the energy industry and has established a strong reputation for the technical excellence of its engineering teams. With significant new projects being awarded, including a recently secured $6 million East Coast project, engineers joining the team will have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects while being part of an organization experiencing substantial growth.

The position can be 100% remote for candidates in the Eastern or Central time zones. Candidates located elsewhere may also be considered if they can align their working hours with Eastern Time. Flexible and hybrid arrangements may also be available where applicable.

The company prides itself on providing challenging technical work, continuous learning, flexible working conditions, and long-term career development. Engineers have the opportunity to grow along either technical or managerial career paths while working alongside experienced professionals to solve some of the energy industry's most complex engineering challenges.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Naperville, IL.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $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
• Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Pre-tax contributions available
• 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 6, 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.

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.