Mechanical Engineer

Brightsmith; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Brightsmith is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to advance next-generation reactor systems. You will design and analyze mechanical components, generate documentation, and collaborate with nuclear, controls, safety, and licensing teams to ensure regulatory compliance.

Remote work from the United States is supported, with direct reporting to the Engineering Director. The role requires strong CAD/analysis tools proficiency, solid fundamentals in heat transfer and fluids, and 5–10 years of nuclear

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 5-10 years’ experience in mechanical design or analysis for complex, high-consequence systems.
• Direct nuclear industry experience (reactor design, nuclear power plant, naval nuclear, fuel cycle or similar).
• Working knowledge of codes and standards such as ASME BPVC, ASME B31, or equivalents.
• Hands-on experience with CAD and analysis tools (SolidWorks/Creo; ANSYS/ABAQUS).
• Strong fundamentals in heat transfer, fluid mechanics and materials.
• Self-directed and comfortable working remotely with clear written and verbal communication.
• Right to work in the US without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze and specify mechanical systems and components (loops, heat exchangers, pumps, valves, piping, supports).
• Run thermal-hydraulic, stress and fatigue analyses and derive design decisions.
• Produce and review design documentation, calculations, specs and drawings.
• Coordinate with nuclear, controls, safety and licensing teams to meet regulatory and quality requirements.
• Support procurement, fabrication, testing and commissioning, including supplier engagement and technical reviews.
• Contribute to prototype and demonstration builds, test campaigns and design iterations.

Skills

CAD Proficiency

Finite Element Analysis

Technical Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s or PhD welcome

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

ANSYS

ABAQUS

Job description

Mechanical Engineer, Advanced Reactor Development

Location: Remote | Type: Full-time | Reports to: Engineering Director

The opportunity

We’re building a next-generation nuclear reactor, and we need an experienced mechanical engineer to help take it from design to deployment. You’ll report directly to our Engineering Director and have real influence on technical direction from day one.

What you’ll do

• Design, analyze and specify mechanical systems and components, such as primary and secondary loops, heat exchangers, pumps, valves, piping and structural supports
• Run thermal-hydraulic, stress and fatigue analyses, and turn the results into clear design decisions
• Produce and review design documentation, calculations, specifications and drawings
• Work with nuclear, controls, safety and licensing colleagues to make sure designs meet regulatory and quality requirements
• Support procurement, fabrication, testing and commissioning, including supplier engagement and technical reviews
• Contribute to prototype and demonstration builds, test campaigns and design iterations

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline (Master’s or PhD welcome)
• 5-10 years’ experience in mechanical design or analysis for complex, high-consequence systems
• Direct nuclear industry experience (reactor design, nuclear power plant, naval nuclear, fuel cycle or similar)
• Working knowledge of codes and standards such as ASME BPVC, ASME B31, or equivalents
• Hands-on experience with CAD (e.g. SolidWorks, Creo) and analysis tools (e.g. ANSYS, ABAQUS, or similar)
• Strong fundamentals in heat transfer, fluid mechanics and materials
• Self-directed and comfortable working remotely, with clear written and verbal communication
• Right to work in the US without sponsorship

Nice to have

• Familiarity with NQA-1, 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, or similar quality frameworks
• Experience with liquid metal, molten salt, gas-cooled or high-temperature systems
• Exposure to first-of-a-kind design, prototyping or test programs
• Professional Engineer (PE) license, or progress towards one