Mechanical Engineer, Reactor Structures

Forge Atomics; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation and parental leave

Job summary

Forge Atomics in Los Angeles area is seeking a Mechanical Engineer, Reactor Structures to design and build reactor hardware such as pressure vessels and containment for Ember, a pilot 25 MWe reactor. You will perform trade studies and validate designs under extreme conditions, collaborating with manufacturers and cross-teams.

Basic qualifications include a BS in mechanical engineering and 1+ years of relevant experience; preference for hands-on high-pressure systems expertise and familiarity

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related technical discipline.
• 1+ year of engineering experience in mechanical hardware design and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and test pressure vessels, containment structures, seismic isolation, and secondary structures for Ember, our pilot nuclear reactor.
• Carry out trade studies for optimal structural materials, balancing cost, mass, strength, corrosion resistance, and manufacturability.
• Validate reliability of designs with rigorous testing: thermal cycling, pressure cycling, shock, vibration, radiation embrittlement, and corrosion. Design experiments to ground analysis, develop fixturing, and create technical reports based on results.
• Work with manufacturers to understand process limitations and adapt designs for lead times and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with peers from different systems to develop designs that balance cost, efficiency, and deployment logistics.
• Support the assembly of your hardware in the factory, witness your designs being brought to life daily, and watch them power an abundant, clean future

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Team collaboration

High-pressure systems

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Job description

Humanity faces two critical challenges: securing reliable energy and aggressively lowering our environmental impact. At Forge, we believe nuclear fission is the key to solving both at once. Today Forge is developing the technology to rapidly scale the deployment of nuclear fission.

Mechanical Engineer, Reactor Structures

As a structures engineer at Forge, you'll be responsible for designing and building reactor hardware such as the pressure vessel, containment, and structural elements for Ember, our pilot 25 MWe reactor. These designs must withstand the extreme temperature and pressure environments of our reactor while meeting regulatory requirements and being optimized for cost, mass, and manufacturability. Successful candidates will have previously demonstrated extreme ownership in delivering mechanical systems in fast-paced, high-reliability environments.

Responsibilities

Design, build and test pressure vessels, containment structures, seismic isolation, and secondary structures for Ember, our pilot nuclear reactor

Carry out trade studies for optimal structural materials, balancing cost, mass, strength, corrosion resistance, and manufacturability

Validate reliability of designs with rigorous testing: thermal cycling, pressure cycling, shock, vibration, radiation embrittlement, and corrosion. Design experiments to ground analysis, develop fixturing, and create technical reports based on results

Work with manufacturers to understand process limitations and adapt designs for lead times and manufacturability

Collaborate with peers from different systems to develop designs that balance cost, efficiency, and deployment logistics

Support the assembly of your hardware in the factory, witness your designs being brought to life daily, and watch them power an abundant, clean future

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related technical discipline

1+ years of engineering experience designing, analyzing, and building mechanical hardware (internships and school project team experience qualify)

Preferred Skills and Experience

Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for problem solving, and desire to enable abundant clean energy

Experience leading or working on an engineering competition team, i.e. Formula SAE, Baja SAE, Solar Car, Rocketry, Cubesat, or similar

Ability to perform trade studies and make clear recommendations using first principles and engineering fundamentals even with partial information

Experience working at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints

Hands on experience designing, testing, and operating high‑pressure systems and pressure vessels

Experience with forging for large, high‑pressure vessels

Experience with welding processes, inspection, and qualification

Experience designing to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code

Hands on experience with fluid, gas, or thermal systems

Additional Requirements

Position will be based in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County and will require relocation if not already local. The position will be full‑time in the office.

Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary

Ability to travel to reactor construction sites in other states as necessary

Compensation and Benefits

Pay range:

Level I: $115,000.00 - $130,000.00/per year + equity

Level II: $125,000.00 - $150,000.00/per year + equity

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Forge. You may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of company stock or stock options, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, paid vacation, paid parental leave, and various other perks. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

Forge is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Forge is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

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.