Senior Mechanical Engineer — Fuel Handling System

Kindredventures; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 106,250 - 143,750; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Corporate Gym Membership

Job summary

Aalo Atomics, based in Austin, TX, is seeking a hands-on Test Engineer for the Fuel Handling System. You will design and build test rigs, run experiments, diagnose failures, and drive rapid iteration to turn concepts into reliable hardware in challenging environments.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and 6+ years of hands-on engineering experience, with fabrication, testing, and data acquisition skills; travel to test sites and reactor installations is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 6+ years hands-on engineering experience.
• Experience with fabrication, assembly, and mechanical testing.

Responsibilities

• Design and build test rigs for mechanical, thermal, and fluid validation.
• Execute tests on valves, seals, hoists, and handling mechanisms.
• Instrument systems and collect high-quality data.
• Diagnose failures and iterate quickly with design engineers.
• Perform hands-on fabrication and modification of test hardware.
• Travel to test sites or reactor installations.

Skills

Mechanical Engineering

Hands-on testing

Troubleshooting

Fabrication

Data acquisition

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Instrumentation

Data acquisition systems

Job description

About Aalo Atomics

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 Test Engineer on the Fuel Handling System (FHS) team, you will design, build, and operate the test infrastructure required to validate complex mechanical systems operating in challenging environments. This includes mechanisms, sealing systems, sodium‑compatible components, and fluid systems used in fuel handling, cleaning, and storage.

You will play a critical role in turning concepts into reality—building test rigs, running experiments, diagnosing failures, and driving rapid iteration. This role is highly hands‑on and requires both engineering judgment and practical fabrication skills.

You will work in an environment where requirements are evolving and ambiguity is high. Success in this role requires ownership, creativity, and the ability to move quickly to unblock progress.

Responsibilities

• Design and build test rigs for mechanical, thermal, and fluid system validation
• Execute tests on components such as valves, seals, hoists, and handling mechanisms
• Develop test strategies for systems operating in sodium, inert gas, and high‑temperature environments
• Instrument systems (pressure, temperature, force, radiation proxies, etc.) and collect high‑quality data
• Diagnose failures and work with design engineers to iterate quickly
• Perform hands‑on fabrication, assembly, and modification of test hardware
• Develop procedures for testing sodium vaporization, sealing performance, and mechanism reliability
• Document results and clearly communicate findings, risks, and blockers
• Support system integration and commissioning efforts
• Travel occasionally to test sites or reactor installations

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 6+ years of hands‑on engineering experience (industry, internship, or equivalent)
• Experience with fabrication, assembly, or electro‑mechanical testing
• Strong mechanical intuition and troubleshooting ability
• Comfortable working with incomplete requirements and high ownership

Preferred Experience

• Experience with fluid systems (valves, seals, hydraulics, or gas systems)
• Designing and building custom test rigs or experimental setups
• Experience with high‑pressure, high‑temperature, or hazardous systems
• Familiarity with instrumentation and data acquisition systems
• Experience diagnosing mechanical failures and root cause analysis
• Exposure to sodium systems, vacuum systems, or inert gas environments
• Hands‑on project experience (e.g., Formula SAE, robotics, lab systems, hardware startups)

Physical

• Comfortable working in a hands‑on lab and factory environment
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and stand for extended periods
• Willingness to perform hands‑on work including assembly, plumbing, and troubleshooting

Requirements

• Based in the United States
• Willing to work on‑site in Austin, TX

What We Offer

• Competitive salary starting at $125,000
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Corporate Gym Membership

Benefits and Compliance

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.