Principle Mechanical Design Engineer

WA River Protection Solutions; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 214,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation funding

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

WA River Protection Solutions invites applications for a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to support the DFLAW mission at Hanford's Richland site. You will provide mechanical design expertise across facilities, systems, and interfaces to ensure safe, reliable operation.

The role requires a BS in engineering and extensive experience, with collaboration across engineering, operations, and maintenance teams.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• Minimum 12 years of related experience for Grade 21; 14 years for Grade 22.
• Strong mechanical design, analysis, and technical evaluation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support for mechanical system design, analysis, testing, operation, and maintenance for DFLAW facilities.
• Lead or participate in design inputs, specifications, calculations, and technical evaluations.
• Prepare and review calculations, drawings, specifications, and design packages.
• Conduct field walkdowns to evaluate conditions and propose improvements.
• Investigate problems, develop alternatives, evaluate solutions, and give recommendations.
• Apply engineering principles to improve reliability, reduce costs, and ensure code compliance.
• Develop scope, cost estimates, and schedules for engineering tasks.
• Coordinate with other disciplines and project teams for integrated solutions.
• Ensure deliverables meet safety, quality, and configuration control requirements.
• May mentor less experienced engineers and take ownership of tasks.
• Work with minimal supervision and demonstrate accountability.
• Contribute to continuous improvement within Design Engineering - Mechanical.

Skills

Mechanical design

Engineering principles

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related technical discipline

Job description

Job Responsibilities/Duties

The anticipated start date for this position is April 2027, subject to organizational scheduling and operational requirements.

Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure (H2C) leads the nation's largest and most complex radioactive waste cleanup effort. Every day, our teams work to safely remove, treat, and dispose of 56 million gallons of legacy tank waste at the Hanford Site in Richland, Washington.

When you join H2C, you become part of a team dedicated to creating "The Solution Today for a Better Tomorrow." Guided by our Vision, Mission, Values, and Behaviors, we work together with integrity, innovation, and accountability. We empower our workforce, encourage continuous improvement, and celebrate achievements as we make measurable progress toward tank waste cleanup and long term site closure. At H2C, your work has a meaningful impact—today and for future generations.

H2C is seeking a Principle Mechanical Design Engineer to support the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste (DFLAW) mission within the Design Engineering - Mechanical organization. This role provides mechanical engineering expertise to support design, analysis, evaluation, and stewardship of mechanical systems across DFLAW operations, projects, and facility modifications. Mechanical systems may include process systems, structural/mechanical components, mechanical equipment, and system interfaces essential to safe and reliable operation.

The Principle Mechanical Design Engineer is an individual contributor who collaborates with other engineering disciplines, operations, projects, and maintenance to ensure quality, compliance, and effective design integration.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide engineering support for mechanical system design, application, analysis, testing, operation, and maintenance associated with DFLAW facilities and supporting systems.
• Assume responsibility for mechanical engineering aspects of assigned tasks or projects, including development of design inputs, specifications, calculations, and technical evaluations.
• Prepare and review engineering documents such as calculations, drawings, specifications, technical reports, manuals, procedures, and design packages.
• Conduct field walkdowns to evaluate installed conditions, identify mechanical system issues, and recommend corrective actions or design improvements.
• Investigate engineering problems, develop alternatives, evaluate solutions, and provide technical recommendations.
• Apply mechanical engineering principles to improve system reliability, reduce costs, enhance performance, and ensure design compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Develop or support preparation of technical scope, cost estimates, and schedules for engineering tasks.
• Problem-solve complex technical challenges using sound engineering judgment, established methods, and adaptation of design alternatives.
• Coordinate work with other engineering disciplines, operations, maintenance, construction, procurement engineering, and project teams to ensure integrated solutions.
• Ensure engineering deliverables meet technical, safety, and quality requirements and align with approved processes and configuration control expectations.
• May serve as a lead on specific engineering tasks and mentor less experienced engineers.
• Execute assigned work with minimal oversight, demonstrating ownership, initiative, and accountability.
• Maintain strong technical problem-solving capabilities and contribute to continuous improvement within the Design Engineering - Mechanical organization.

Required Qualifications

Grade 21:
Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Engineering or related technical discipline; and
Twelve (12) years of related experience

Grade 22:
Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Engineering or related technical discipline; and
Fourteen (14) years of related experience
Note the essential duties for this grade level are like that of the previous grade level, however the scope of responsibility is larger, and the expected level of performance is increased.

Desired Qualifications

Prior experience with DFLAW/DOE nuclear or radiological facilities, or similar process industries (e.g., chemical processing, power generation).

Compensation & Benefits

In accordance with the company's philosophy on compensation for exempt and salaried non-exempt employees, H2C takes into consideration a variety of factors when determining initial grade and salary to include assigned job scope and responsibility, a candidate's qualifications as compared to internal comparators performing in a similar role, and the external labor market. A salary offer will be made at the appropriate grade level and within the targeted hiring range posted according to these factors. Note a candidate's prior salary history will not be taken into consideration.

Hiring Range Minimum: $145,150

Hiring Range Maximum: $214,288

H2C offers a comprehensive benefits package to include medical/dental/vision, short-and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k) with employer match, and paid time off. For a full list of benefits please visit https://hmis.hanford.gov/hr/page.cfm/HEWTBenefits

Depending on the nature of your employment with H2C, you can expect the following:

• A business casual dress work environment: jeans are permissible (restrictions may apply).
• Opportunity for work/life balance: a standard 4 x 10 work schedule, allowing more personal time to enjoy life outside of the office (other schedules and/or shift work may be required).

Note: employment at H2C involves working in the office or in the field depending on the role.

Relocation Funding Provided Yes

U.S. Citizenship Required Yes

Clearance Required No

Job Classification Exempt

Shift Work Required No

As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, H2C abides by federal statutory requirements of 41 CFR § 60-300.5 VEVRAA Protected Veterans, 41 CFR § 60-741.5 Workers with Disabilities, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and state and local requirements.

These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, age, sex, and national origin. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants and employees have rights under Federal and State Employment Laws and are protected against discrimination. To view information regarding these rights, please click on these links: