Senior Mechanical Engineer 1 - Nuclear

Sargent Lundy; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 82,380 - 125,860; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k)

Tuition Assistance

Flexible Work Arrangements

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer in Knoxville, Tennessee, to provide expertise in nuclear power plant design and modifications. This role requires a BS or MS in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering and at least 5 years in the power industry. You will analyze and design mechanical systems, oversee automation processes, and lead engineering teams. Ideal candidates will have knowledge of relevant regulations and standards, along with skills in programming languages like Python and MATLAB.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the power industry.
• Working knowledge of codes, standards, and regulations for nuclear plants.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and design modifications for nuclear power plant systems.
• Lead engineering teams in modern automation and AI workflows.

Skills

Mechanical engineering design

Nuclear systems knowledge

Leadership in automation

Education

BS or MS in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Advanced Excel

Job description

Description

This will be a full-time (5 days/week) on-siteposition at TRISO-X Fuel Fabrication Facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

This is a senior level mechanical engineering position that will provide you with a variety of interesting and challenging responsibilities.

We are looking for candidates with experience in the analysis, design, and licensing requirements of mechanical and nuclear systems and components for nuclear power plants.

You will be involved in nuclear power plant systems design, including preparation or review of:

• Modification packages for operating nuclear power plants
• System and Component Performance specifications
• Functional mechanical drawings and/or drawings for nuclear power plant systems
• Engineering analyses and evaluations to support modifications and operation of plant systems
• Technical specifications and procurement documents for plant equipment
• Vendor bid evaluations for plant equipment
• Studies and options evaluations for modifications to operating nuclear power plants

Qualifications

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

• BS or MS in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering from an ABET accredited program
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the power industry.
• Working knowledge of codes, standards, and regulations that apply to mechanical engineering design of nuclear power plants

AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy

In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools:

• You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
• Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process‑improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
• Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
• We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI‑enabled engineering workflows.

Award‑Winning Benefits

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well‑being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work‑life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award‑winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance

• Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Accident Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Back‑Up Daycare
• FSA & HSA

• 401(k)
• Pre‑Tax Commuter Account
• Merit Scholarship Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Corporate Charitable Giving Program
• Tuition Assistance
• First Professional Licensure Bonus
• Employee Referral Bonus

• Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range

$82,380.00 - $125,860.00

Transparency Statement

Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well‑being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.

Equal Opportunity

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.