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

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.