Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Aalo Atomics, based in Austin, TX, seeks a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to own the mechanical design of critical reactor modules. You will lead from concept through production, mentoring engineers and ensuring safety and performance in modular nuclear systems.

Responsibilities include creating detailed 3D models with GD&T, performing structural/thermal analyses, and collaborating with manufacturing for DFM/DFA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design of major reactor module subsystems from concept through production release.
• Own design decisions and defend technical trade-offs to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Perform structural, thermal, fatigue, and seismic analyses to validate designs.
• Develop detailed 3D models and GD&T drawings with model-based definition.
• Drive design reviews and document design rationale clearly.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers to apply DFM/DFA principles.
• Mentor junior engineers and establish best practices for the team.
• Support prototype builds and testing to validate design intent.
• Create and maintain design documentation including specs and BOMs.

Skills

7+ years experience

3D CAD (SolidWorks/NX)

GD&T proficiency

FEA/structural analysis

Lead mechanical projects

Strong communication

Design lifecycle ownership

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

FEA software

Job description

Aalo Atomics is pioneering a new era in clean energy with factory-fabricated microreactors 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

As a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer at Aalo Atomics, you will own the mechanical design of critical systems and structures within our modular nuclear reactors. You will lead design efforts from concept through detailed design, analysis, and into production — driving technical decisions, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring our reactor modules meet the highest standards of safety and performance. This is a high-ownership role for an experienced engineer ready to shape the mechanical architecture of next-generation nuclear systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design of major reactor module subsystems, from concept through production release
• Own design decisions and defend technical trade-offs to cross-functional stakeholders
• Perform and direct engineering analyses (structural, thermal, fatigue, seismic) to validate designs
• Develop detailed 3D models, complete with model-based definition and engineering drawings where required, with complete GD&T
• Drive design reviews and ensure rigorous documentation of design rationale
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers to incorporate DFM / DFA principles
• Mentor junior engineers and establish best practices for the mechanical design team
• Question and refine design requirements to ensure they are necessary, clear, and achievable
• Support prototype builds and testing to validate design intent, feeding lessons learned back into the design
• Create and maintain design documentation, including specifications, BOMs, and interface control documents

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline
• 7+ years of professional mechanical design experience
• Expert proficiency with 3D CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, NX, or similar)
• Demonstrated experience owning the full design lifecycle — concept through production
• Strong command of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and drawing standards
• Experience with FEA or other structural/thermal analysis tools
• Proven ability to lead technical projects and make sound engineering judgments independently

Preferred Experience

• Experience designing pressure vessels, structural weldments, or high-temperature mechanical systems
• Working knowledge of ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (Section III or Section VIII)
• Experience with nuclear-relevant design standards or other highly regulated industries (AS9100, ISO13485, etc.)
• Experience designing and fabricating with stainless steel, high-nickel alloys, or other high-performance materials
• Track record of transitioning complex designs from prototype to production
• Experience mentoring engineers or leading a small design team
• Familiarity with configuration management and change control processes
• Working knowledge of calculation software and use of AI
• Strong communication skills to convey technical reasoning to both engineering and non-engineering audiences

Physical Requirements

• Comfortable working on the factory floor alongside technicians and welders to support builds
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and stand for extended periods
• Ability to focus and operate effectively in a dynamic shop environment

Requirements:

• Based in the United States
• Willing to work on-sitein Austin, TX

What We Offer:

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

Candidates only. No recruiters or agencies, please.

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.

Direct applicants only. No recruiters or staffing agencies, please.