Senior Lead Engineer, Nuclear & Mechanical Systems

General Atomics; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 229,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) is seeking a highly experienced Mechanical Engineer for Nuclear Design to lead the mechanical, thermal, and structural design efforts for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) at the Rancho Bernardo facility in San Diego.

This role involves consulting direction, setting technical objectives, and guiding a team through multi-year solution development and regulatory submissions.

Qualifications

• Extensive engineering expertise and project leadership in nuclear or high-hazard environments.
• Ability to translate system requirements into component-level designs, interfaces, and verifications.
• Experience mentoring engineers and managing multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design, development, and optimization of SMRs including core mechanical, thermal and structural design.
• Perform calculations, simulations, and analyses to support reactor development and licensing submissions.
• Oversee CFD/FEA and ensure compliance with nuclear safety standards and QA programs.
• Collaborate across mechanical, electrical, and I&C disciplines to integrate systems.

Skills

Technical leadership

Nuclear design

CFD/FEA tools

3D CAD

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

ANSYS

FEMAP

SolidWorks

Job description

Job Summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS’ expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

Job Summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS’ expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide. We have an opening for a Mechanical Engineer for Nuclear Design opening with our team in Rancho Bernardo. With consultative direction, this position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives for the review, research, design, development, and/or solution(s) for a designated engineering system(s) or project(s)/program(s). Functioning in an advisory or leadership role participates in the planning and oversight of the successful resolution and implementation of engineering problem(s) and provides direction and guidance to professional and support staff. Formulates technical plans, typically multi-year, for solution(s) development, documentation, and deployment of the engineering solution (s), as well as responsible for meeting various compliance, reporting, and safety standards. Evaluates the integration of the engineering solution within the overall engineering environment; and responsible for planning/overseeing documentation, testing, maintenance, and engineering updates. Communicates with engineering professionals, solution users, and management throughout the solution development cycle; represents the company as a prime technical contact on assigned system(s) or project (s)/program(s); selects, motivates, and develops professional and support staff; interacts with senior internal and external personnel on technical matters requiring coordination between the organizations; anticipates future engineering needs; and, develops new or expands existing business opportunities.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITES:

• Maintains the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Lead the mechanical design, development, and optimization of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) including core mechanical, thermal and structural design.
• Perform engineering calculations, simulations, and design analyses to support reactor development and licensing submissions.
• Contribute to system integration across nuclear, mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation and controls (I&C) disciplines.
• Ensure all design work complies with applicable U.S. nuclear codes and standards, including ASME BPVC, ANSI, and IEEE standards.
• Support the development and maintenance of design basis documentation, technical specifications, and engineering change packages.
• Maintain thorough documentation of engineering analyses and design decisions to support licensing traceability.
• Experience with passive safety systems is preferred.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing engineering team (mechanical, thermal, and structural analysts) in the design, development, and optimization of advanced reactor core structures, coolant loops, and auxiliary systems.
• Establish technical direction, define design milestones, and ensure rigorous adherence to nuclear safety, quality assurance (NQA-1), and project schedules.
• Spearhead comprehensive thermal, mechanical, and structural analyses of core components operating under high-temperature environments with novel coolant fluids.
• Oversee computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate flow distributions, thermal stresses, fatigue, creep, and material integrity.
• Integrate reactor physics, thermal principles, and mechanical packaging constraints to optimize core performance, fuel handling efficiency, and passive safety features
• Support the development of design bases, safety analysis reports (SAR), and licensing documentation in collaboration with regulatory affairs and nuclear safety teams.
• Collaborate with materials scientists, manufacturing experts, and supply chain partners to select advanced alloys compatible with high-temperature reactor environments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; fifteen or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, thirteen or more years of experience with a masters degree, or ten or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Demonstrates a detailed and extensive technical expertise and application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice as well as project and/or program leadership including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordinating workloads to meet established project deadlines or milestones.
• Must posses the ability to contribute to the development of new concepts and principles; resolve unusually complex technical problems; serve as spokesperson on projects and/or programs; and be a technical expert in one or more areas of engineering.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required enabling an effective leadership interface with other departments, all levels of management, professional and support staff, customers, potential customers, and government representatives.
• Customer focused, formulates plans based on the development of innovative new designs in resolving advanced technical engineering problems. Must be able to work on a self-initiated basis and in a team environment. Able to work extended hours as required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance required.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams and managing complex engineering projects in the nuclear industry.
• Experience with industry-standard analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS, FEMAP, or custom CFD/multiphysics codes) is preferred.
• Familiarity with applicable codes and standards such as ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII, Section III, ANSI, ASTM, ASME Y14.5, or related standards is highly desired.
• Experience designing control rod drive mechanisms, core support structures, and reactor vessels is desired.
• Experience with design for manufacturing, design for assembly, dimensional inspection, GD&T, welding, machining, or fabrication of large metallic components is desired.
• Experience with nuclear equipment qualification, inspection, testing, and maintenance.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, structural mechanics, pressure-boundary design, thermal expansion, bolted joints, weldments, and metallic component behavior.
• Knowledge of high-temperature design considerations, including thermal stress, creep, fatigue, creep-fatigue, material degradation, or irradiation effects is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks or equivalent is desired.
• Ability to translate system-level requirements into component-level requirements, interfaces, and verification activities.
• Capability to mentor and train junior engineers and interns.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary Salary range: 128,130 - 229,358