Mechanical Engineer – Reactor Development

Nano Nuclear Energy, Inc.; Oak Brook (IL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision & life ins.

401(k) with company match

Unlimited PTO

Paid holidays and parental leave

Mentorship & professional development

Engineering leadership development

Job summary

NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join our Reactor Engineering team and contribute to developing advanced nuclear reactor technology. You will own critical mechanical components and collaborate across disciplines to bring designs from concept to deployment.

This opportunity offers exposure to the complete lifecycle of reactor development and the chance to work with experts in reactor design, safety analysis, and operations in a highly technical environment.

Qualifications

• 1–3+ years in mechanical systems design, ASME code experience.
• Proficiency in CAD tools: NX or SolidWorks.
• Experience with stress, fatigue, fracture mechanics, thermal-hydraulic analysis.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Mechanical design and development of reactor-internal hardware, pressure-retaining components, balance-of-plant equipment.
• Prepare design basis documents, system design descriptions, P&IDs, technical specifications, engineering reports, and regulatory submissions.
• Materials and manufacturing input: selecting materials, fabrication, welding, QC requirements.
• Interpret and apply ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, Division 5, Section VIII, ASME B31.1, and NRC regulations.
• Collaborate with reactor engineering, thermal hydraulics, safety analysis, and operations teams to develop integrated, compliant designs.
• Provide engineering oversight for externally designed systems and components.
• Support licensing and regulatory inquiries with technical justifications.

Skills

Mechanical design

Engineering analysis

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

ANSYS

COMSOL

Job description

Location: Oak Brook, IL | Base Salary: $85,000–$105,000 | Hybrid

Help Design the Next Generation of Nuclear Energy

The Opportunity

NANO Nuclear Energy is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join our Reactor Engineering team and contribute directly to developing advanced nuclear reactor technology.

This opportunity goes beyond traditional mechanical design. You'll have the chance to own critical mechanical components, collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, and participate in the full lifecycle of reactor development—from initial design and analysis through manufacturing and deployment.

You’ll work alongside engineers specializing in reactor design, thermal hydraulics, safety analysis, and operations, helping transform complex engineering concepts into practical, manufacturable, and regulatory-compliant systems.

For an early-career engineer looking to expand technical expertise, gain meaningful design responsibility, and contribute to an emerging area of nuclear energy, this is an opportunity worth exploring.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Meaningful Design Ownership: Take responsibility for mechanical systems and components that contribute directly to advanced reactor development.
• Full Engineering Lifecycle Exposure: Participate in design, analysis, fabrication, manufacturing, and deployment rather than focusing on one isolated phase.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work directly with reactor engineering, thermal hydraulics, safety analysis, and operations specialists.
• Advanced Technical Experience: Develop expertise in pressure-retaining components, reactor internals, ASME codes, and nuclear regulatory requirements.
• Professional Development: Benefit from mentorship, technical collaboration, and opportunities to develop engineering leadership capabilities.
• Emerging Nuclear Technology: Contribute to the development of next-generation nuclear energy systems in a highly technical, quality-driven environment.

What You’ll Do

As a member of the Reactor Engineering team, you’ll help develop mechanical systems and components that must operate together safely, reliably, and efficiently.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Mechanical Design & Development: Design, evaluate, and optimize reactor-internal hardware, pressure-retaining components, and balance-of-plant equipment.
• Engineering Documentation: Prepare design basis documents, system design descriptions, P&IDs, technical specifications, engineering reports, and regulatory submissions.
• Materials & Manufacturing: Provide technical input on materials selection, fabrication processes, welding methods, and quality control requirements.
• Codes & Compliance: Interpret and apply applicable engineering standards, including ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Section III Division 5, Section VIII, ASME B31.1, and NRC regulatory requirements.
• Multidisciplinary Engineering: Collaborate with reactor engineering, thermal hydraulics, safety analysis, and operations teams to develop integrated, compliant designs.
• Vendor Coordination: Provide engineering oversight and technical input for externally designed systems and components.
• Licensing & Regulatory Support: Prepare technical justifications, support licensing and certification activities, and respond to regulatory inquiries.

What You’ll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 1–3+ years of experience in mechanical systems design, ideally involving ASME code-based design and analysis.
• Proficiency with engineering CAD software such as NX or SolidWorks.
• Experience performing mechanical engineering analyses involving stress, fatigue, fracture mechanics, thermal/thermal-hydraulic behavior, or vibration.
• Strong technical writing, engineering documentation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, particularly Section III, ASME piping codes, and nuclear regulatory frameworks.
• Experience with engineering analysis tools such as ANSYS or COMSOL.
• Previous experience in nuclear energy, conventional energy, or another highly regulated engineering environment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $85,000–$105,000
• NANO Nuclear Energy offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance with company contributions.
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 5% company match.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Company holidays and paid parental leave.
• Mentorship and professional development opportunities.
• Opportunities to build technical expertise and engineering leadership capabilities.
• A collaborative engineering environment focused on innovation and technical excellence.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Join NANO Nuclear Energy and help develop the mechanical systems behind the next generation of nuclear technology. Apply Today!

Equal Opportunity Employer

NANO Nuclear Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage qualified individuals from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.