Mechanical Engineer - Steam Systems

Aalo Atomic; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary based on technical

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Aalo Atomics, based in Austin, TX, is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to lead the end-to-end steam-system design for its modular reactors. The role covers heat balance, piping layouts, equipment specs, and integration with the turbine island, with emphasis on safety, reliability, and code compliance.

The ideal candidate has 4+ years of hands-on steam systems experience across utility, industrial, marine, or nuclear contexts, along with strong knowledge of ASME codes and thermodynamics.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience preferred; minimum of 4 years with relevant hands-on experience required.
• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or greater.
• Experience designing steam systems for utility, industrial, marine, or nuclear steam turbine generators, including sizing, layout, and specification of high-energy steam and feedwater piping and components.
• Experience with applicable codes and standards: ASME B31.1/B31.3, ASME BPVC Sections I, II, V, VIII, IX, ASME PTC 6 and PTC 46, IEEE, ANSI, NEMA, and TEMA standards.
• Solid grounding in steam-cycle thermodynamics, two-phase flow, water hammer, NPSH and cavitation, steam purity and cycle chemistry (EPRI guidelines), and erosion/corrosion (FAC) considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to produce engineering deliverables (calculations, specifications, design basis documents) that withstand independent technical review and regulatory audit.

Responsibilities

• Own steam-cycle mechanical design from heat balance through detailed engineering, including system sizing, piping layouts, equipment specification, and integration with the turbine island.
• Perform pipe stress and flexibility analysis (per ASME B31.1 or B31.3 as applicable), water hammer and two-phase flow evaluations, and steam purity/chemistry compatibility studies.
• Develop and review P&IDs, PFDs, equipment datasheets, isometrics, and design basis documents; specify major components including main steam stop and control valves, isolation valves, safety/relief valves, steam traps, separators, desuperheaters, condensers, feedwater heaters, deaerators, and associated piping and supports.
• Lead the technical interface with the turbine OEM on steam admission conditions, extraction points, exhaust hood design, sealing steam, gland systems, and lube/control oil interfaces.
• Participate in design reviews, vendor qualification, factory acceptance testing, construction support, commissioning, performance testing per ASME PTC 6 and related codes, and root-cause analysis of in-service issues.

Skills

Steam system design

Piping layout

Heat balance calculations

Two-phase flow

Regulatory compliance

Engineering deliverables

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ASME B31.1/B31.3

ASME BPVC I/II/VIII/IX

ASME PTC 6/46

IEEE/ANSI/NEMA/TEMA standards

Pipe stress analysis

Job description

Aalo Atomics is pioneering a new era in clean energy with factory-fabricated reactors designed to deliver affordable, scalable, and reliable nuclear power. Our mission is to make nuclear energy globally accessible, starting with the Aalo-1, a 10 MWe reactor leveraging cutting-edge safety, modularity, and efficiency. Based in Austin, TX, we’re rapidly growing as we work to deploy the world’s first fleet of advanced microreactors. Join us and help revolutionize energy for a sustainable future.

About the role:

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to lead the design, analysis, and integration of steam systems supporting a steam turbine generator (STG). This role is responsible for the end-to-end mechanical design of main steam, reheat, extraction, auxiliary steam, condensate, and feedwater systems, ensuring performance, reliability, safety, and code compliance from concept through commissioning. The engineer will interface directly with the turbine OEM, balance-of-plant designers, and controls engineers.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will own steam-cycle mechanical design from heat balance through detailed engineering, including system sizing, piping layouts, equipment specification, and integration with the turbine island. They will perform pipe stress and flexibility analysis (per ASME B31.1 or B31.3 as applicable), water hammer and two-phase flow evaluations, and steam purity/chemistry compatibility studies. They will develop and review P&IDs, PFDs, equipment datasheets, isometrics, and design basis documents, and will specify major components including main steam stop and control valves, isolation valves, safety/relief valves, steam traps, separators, desuperheaters, condensers, feedwater heaters, deaerators, and associated piping and supports.

They will lead the technical interface with the turbine OEM on steam admission conditions, extraction points, exhaust hood design, sealing steam, gland systems, and lube/control oil interfaces. They will participate in design reviews, vendor qualification, factory acceptance testing, construction support, commissioning, performance testing (per ASME PTC 6 and related codes), and root-cause analysis of in-service issues.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience preferred; minimum of 4 years with relevant hands-on experience required
• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or greater
• Demonstrated experience designing steam systems for utility, industrial, marine, or nuclear steam turbine generators, including hands-on responsibility for sizing, layout, and specification of high-energy steam and feedwater piping and components.
• Experience with applicable codes and standards:
• ASME B31.1 (Power Piping) and/or B31.3 (Process Piping),
• ASME BPVC Sections I, II, V, VIII, and IX, ASME OM (where applicable),
• ASME PTC 6 and PTC 46 for performance testing,
• Relevant IEEE, ANSI, NEMA, and TEMA standards.
• Solid grounding in steam-cycle thermodynamics, two-phase flow, water hammer, NPSH and cavitation, steam purity and cycle chemistry (EPRI guidelines), and erosion/corrosion (FAC) considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to produce engineering deliverables (calculations, specifications, design basis documents) that withstand independent technical review and regulatory audit.

Physical:

• Comfortable working in a hands-on lab and factory environment
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and stand for extended periods
• Willingness to perform hands-on work including assembly, plumbing, wiring, and troubleshooting

Requirements

Must be based in the United States

Must be willing to work on-site at our headquarters in Austin, Texas

What It Takes to Succeed at Aalo

We're building technology that will help reshape the future of energy. The pace is fast, the problems are difficult, and the expectations are high. Successful team members consistently demonstrate:

Extreme Ownership

- You take responsibility for outcomes, not just tasks. You proactively identify problems, drive solutions, and follow through.

A Passion for Solving Hard Problems

- You are energized by challenges that others avoid and enjoy finding practical solutions to complex technical issues.

A Sense of Urgency

- You move quickly, make thoughtful decisions, and maintain momentum while balancing quality and execution.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on technical level
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off

Additional Information

Aalo Atomics provides a collaborative and supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, intellectually challenging careers, and competitive compensation. Aalo Atomics is an equal opportunity employer and considers all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Persons in compliance with 10 CFR Part 810 and may not hold non-compliant foreign citizenships.