Reactor Core Mechanical Engineer

Ocean Atomics; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ocean Atomics LLC is seeking a Reactor Core Mechanical Engineer to design and analyze the mechanical components and internals of a maritime nuclear reactor core. The role focuses on flow-induced vibration, ship motions, and shock loading to ensure structural integrity across the core's service life on sea-going platforms.

You'll collaborate with thermal-hydraulics, fuels, and structural teams, document analyses and qualification results, and contribute to the development of nuclear-enabled

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or nuclear engineering; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in mechanical design and structural analysis of reactor core components or internals.
• Proficiency with finite element analysis and structural/vibration tools (e.g., ANSYS, ABAQUS).
• Working knowledge of flow-induced vibration, fatigue, and dynamic/shock loading analysis.
• Strong grounding in solid mechanics, materials behavior, and structural dynamics.
• Understanding of naval architecture and marine engineering (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze core mechanical components and internals for structural integrity, fatigue, and wear across operating, transient, and accident conditions.
• Evaluate flow-induced vibration of fuel assemblies, control elements, and internals, and develop design features to mitigate wear and dynamic effects.
• Assess the effects of ship motions and dynamic/shock loading on core mechanical performance and structural margins.
• Coordinate with thermal-hydraulics, fuels, and structural teams to integrate mechanical design with flow, thermal, and neutronic requirements.
• Document mechanical analyses, design basis, and qualification results, and support design reviews and testing.

Skills

Mechanical design

Structural analysis

Finite element analysis

Vibration analysis

Naval architecture knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or nuclear engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

ANSYS

ABAQUS

Job description

The ocean is the largest undeveloped frontier on earth — and the next chapter of abundant energy will be written at sea. We're building the infrastructure to power it.

About Ocean Atomics (OA)

Ocean Atomics is an American company designing, licensing, and assembling a standardized nuclear electric power plant and the surrounding support systems for maritime applications. We will install these plants on any vessel built to our nuclear-ready standards, and will provide end-to-end sustainment in our planned nuclear lifecycle dockyard. We will help develop the licensed operators to unlock this new capability for your energy intensive application at sea. To move fast and to lead the creation of this new market, we are leveraging the compact, proven systems enabled by water-cooled reactors.

Our mission

Scale nuclear energy. Power generations.

Our vision

A maritime commons thriving with abundant, economical, modern, and safe nuclear-powered activity — built, serviced, and staffed by re-industrialized American shipyards and people.

Role Summary

As Reactor Core Mechanical Engineer, you design and analyze the mechanical components and internals of the reactor core, with a focus on what changes when a reactor operates on a vessel at sea. Flow-induced vibration, ship motions, and shock loading reshape structural integrity implications across the core's service life. Your analysis is what separates a reactor designed for a fixed foundation from one engineered to operate reliably in maritime conditions.

This is a role we're hiring at multiple levels. The work is shared across levels; scope and accountability scales with experience.

The person who will thrive in this role is genuinely curious about how to improve upon 60+ years of nuclear reactors at sea and is uniquely competent in helping craft its commercial future.

What You'll Do

• Design and analyze core mechanical components and internals for structural integrity, fatigue, and wear across operating, transient, and accident conditions.
• Evaluate flow-induced vibration of fuel assemblies, control elements, and internals, and develop design features to mitigate wear and dynamic effects.
• Assess the effects of ship motions and dynamic/shock loading on core mechanical performance and structural margins.
• Coordinate with thermal-hydraulics, fuels, and structural teams to integrate mechanical design with flow, thermal, and neutronic requirements.
• Document mechanical analyses, design basis, and qualification results, and support design reviews and testing.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or nuclear engineering required (advanced degree preferred).
• Experience in mechanical design and structural analysis of reactor core components or internals.
• Proficiency with finite element analysis and structural/vibration tools (e.g., ANSYS, ABAQUS, or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of flow-induced vibration, fatigue, and dynamic/shock loading analysis.
• Strong grounding in solid mechanics, materials behavior, and structural dynamics.
• Understanding of naval architecture and marine engineering (preferred).

Export control notice

This position involves access to information subject to U.S. export control laws (ITAR and/or EAR). Any offer is contingent on your ability to work in compliance with these laws, and Ocean Atomics LLC may apply for U.S. government authorization where needed. We evaluate all applicants regardless of citizenship or national origin, except where required by law.

Why this matters

Every industry on Earth needs scalable, clean energy, and the ocean is the ideal place to unlock it. Joining Ocean Atomics means building real, lasting infrastructure — the kind that powers generations. The world needs abundant energy. Let\'s make it happen.

Ocean Atomics LLC is an equal opportunity employer.

We are committed to a workplace free of discrimination and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations; if you need an accommodation during the application process, contact [e-mail].