Mechanical Engineer (Nuclear / Reactor Systems)

Uncover; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 138,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health benefits (Medical / Vision / We

Flexible PTO

Hybrid/Remote work options

Job summary

Applied Atomics is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, develop, and validate high-reliability mechanical systems for a first-of-a-kind nuclear power system. You will work on precision motion systems, actuators, and safety-related assemblies within reactor environments, iterating rapidly alongside world-class nuclear engineers.

The role emphasizes end-to-end ownership from concept through build and test, with opportunities to collaborate across disciplines and suppliers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 4+ years of experience designing mechanical systems (2+ years with MS).
• Proficiency in hand calculations and FEA (ANSYS, Abaqus, FEMAP).
• Experience with CAD tools (NX, SolidWorks, Creo).
• Strong understanding and application of GD&T.
• Demonstrated hardware ownership from concept to test and iteration.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical systems and components for reactor environments (motion systems, actuators, linkages, structural components, safety-related assemblies).
• Perform structural and thermal analyses using hand calculations and FEA tools.
• Develop manufacturing, assembly, and integration instructions and test plans.
• Support hardware bring-up, testing, failure analysis, and design iterations.
• Collaborate with nuclear, thermal-fluids, materials, and systems engineers to ensure safety and reliability.

Skills

Mechanical design

GD&T

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Creo

ANSYS

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 backed by Alpaca VC, Transition, and Morpheus Ventures.

About the role:

Applied Atomics is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, develop, and develop the high-reliability mechanical systems that support our reactor product. You will work on hardware such as precision motion systems, actuation mechanisms, structural components, safety-related assemblies, and complex mechanical interfaces within the reactor and adjacent systems. This role blends mechanical engineering fundamentals with the unique environmental and reliability needs of a nuclear system. Prior nuclear experience is not required; we are looking for strong mechanical engineers who can design robust hardware, solve complex problems, and iterate rapidly alongside world-class nuclear engineers. This role is ideal for someone who wants broad responsibility, thrives in a fast-paced hardware environment, and wants to make a lasting impact on the design of a first-of-a-kind (FOAK) nuclear power system.

What you will do

• Mechanical System Design
• Design and develop mechanical systems and components for the reactor environment, including motion systems, actuators, linkages, structural components, and safety-related mechanical assemblies.
• Support the development of hardware used in reactivity control, mechanical actuation, and system-level motion interfaces.
• Conduct design trade studies, concept development, and material selection.
• Analysis & Engineering Fundamentals
• Perform structural and thermal analysis using hand calculations and finite element analysis tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, Nastran, etc.).
• Conduct tolerance stack-ups, GD&T applications, and precision mechanical alignment studies.
• Evaluate fatigue, wear, friction, vibration, and reliability performance.
• Build, Assembly, & Testing
• Create manufacturing, assembly, and integration instructions.
• Develop and execute test plans for components and assemblies.
• Support hardware bring-up, test execution, failure analysis, and design iteration.
• Supplier & Manufacturing Interface
• Identify and work with suppliers for machined parts, actuators, bearings, materials, and assemblies.
• Ensure components meet dimensional, functional, and reliability requirements.
• Support design-for-manufacturability and design-for-assembly reviews.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with nuclear engineers, thermal-fluids engineers, materials engineers, and systems engineering.
• Ensure mechanical designs align with nuclear safety, reliability, and performance requirements.
• Contribute to system-level integration across reactor subsystems.
• 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:
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 4+ years of experience designing mechanical systems or precisions hardware (2+ years w/ MS).
• Proficiency in mechanical analysis, including hand calcs and FEA (ANSYS, Abaqus, FEMAP, etc.).
• Experience with CAD tools (NX, SolidWorks, Creo, etc.).
• Demonstrated understanding and application of GD&T.
• Demonstrated hardware ownership from concept -> detailed design -> build -> test -> iteration.
• Ability to operate across multiple cross-functional teams.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; able to explain complex topics simply.
• Self-starter, ownership mentality, and ability to drive tasks from concept to completion.
• Nice-to-haves:
• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience designing hardware that has been manufactured, deployed, and iteratively improved.
• Experience with electromechanical components (motors, solenoids, encoders, drives).
• Exposure to high-temperature, radiation, vacuum, or high-vibration environments (energy, aerospace, defense, robotics).
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory standards (ASME, NRC regs., 10 CFR 50, etc.).
• Prior experience with FOAK (first-of-a-kind) or advanced reactor development programs.

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