Staff Mechanical Engineer

thenuclearcompany; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

401k with company match

Medical, dental, vision plans

Job summary

The Nuclear Company is leading AI-enabled innovation in the nuclear and energy space. The Staff Mechanical Engineer will lead design, analysis, and maintenance of complex mechanical systems for operating or new nuclear plants, using AMSE/ANSI codes and supporting cross-disciplinary teams.

We value safety, rigorous engineering, and continuous learning, with AI-driven tools and digital twin concepts to accelerate performance and reliability across plant systems.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited BS in Mechanical Engineering is required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and analysis of mechanical components and systems.
• Prepare engineering calculations, drawings and specifications.
• Prepare or review engineering modification packages.
• Provide technical guidance to junior engineering staff.
• Diagnose mechanical equipment failures and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct calculations to ensure structural integrity and performance of systems.
• Review vendor documentation and technical specs.
• Participate in design reviews and technical meetings.
• Interface with civil/structural, electrical and I&C engineers.
• Support QA/QC programs and prepare technical reports.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

ABET-accredited BS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

ANSYS

Job description

The Nuclear Company is the fastest growing AI tech-enabled startup in the nuclear and energy space, pioneering a fleet-scale approach to building the next generation of nuclear reactors. Through our design-once, build-many model, we're accelerating the deployment of safe, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy.

We operate with an AI-first mindset. Every employee is expected to leverage AI, technology, and the Nuclear Operating System (NOS) as integral components of their role to improve the quality, speed, and impact of their work. We expect every team member to continuously identify opportunities to automate workflows, enhance decision-making, improve processes, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of NOS as a strategic operating capability that enables The Nuclear Company to scale with excellence.

We hire people who are driven by purpose, thrive in ambiguity, and are energized by building what has never been built before. Our team combines intellectual curiosity with high agency, embraces candid feedback and continuous learning, and holds themselves and others to exceptional standards. Our values- Transparency, Responsibility, Unity, Scrappy, and Tenacity -guide how we hire, collaborate, and make decisions every day. They are not words on a wall; they are the standard by which we operate. TRUST is the foundation of our safety culture, fostering intellectual honesty, accountability, and open communication, while our values challenge every team member to execute with urgency, humility, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to our mission.

About the role

The Staff Mechanical Engineer will be a technical lead responsible for designing, analyzing, and maintaining complex mechanical systems and components for nuclear power plants (operating or a new build) or advanced reactor projects. They will work with a multi-discipline team of engineers in the design, analysis, and evaluation of systems and components using engineering software, including support to lead engineers. They apply advanced engineering principles and engineering codes & standards, such as AMSE and ANSI, to develop solutions that meet strict safety, regulatory, and quality standards. They will resolve technical issues for operating nuclear power plants, new plants, and other nuclear and non-nuclear projects. This role supports Corporate initiatives as well as ongoing construction projects.

Responsibilities

• Design and analysis of mechanical components and systems.
• Prepare engineering calculations, drawings and specifications.
• Prepare or review engineering modification packages.
• Provide technical guidance to junior engineering staff.
• Diagnose mechanical equipment failures, support root cause analyses, and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct calculations and analyses to ensure the structural integrity and performance of mechanical systems.
• Review vendor documentation and technical specifications.
• Participate in design reviews and technical meetings.
• Interface with engineers in other disciplines such as civil/structural, electrical and instrumentation and controls (I&C).
• Support the implementation of quality assurance and quality control programs.
• Prepare technical reports and documentation.

Experience

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Mechanical Engineering from ABET Accredited University.
• Engineering in Training (EIT) license. Professional Engineer license is a plus.
• 8+ years of engineering experience.
• Strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles and practices.
• Proficiency in engineering software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, ANSYS).
• Must be capable of obtaining security clearance for unescorted access to a nuclear station.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Experience

• Previous causal analysis experience is a plus.
• Previous qualified standard design experience is a plus.
• AI-Enhanced Simulation & Analysis: Familiarity with AI-augmented engineering simulation tools that complement traditional software (e.g., ANSYS, SolidWorks) to accelerate structural integrity calculations, thermal-hydraulic analyses, and performance optimization of mechanical systems and components.
• Digital Twin & Smart Monitoring: Familiarity with digital twin technologies or IoT-integrated monitoring systems that use real-time data and machine learning to model mechanical system behavior, enabling proactive maintenance planning and performance trending across plant systems.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation packages
• 401k with company match
• Medical, dental, vision plans
• Generous vacation policy, plus holidays

Estimated Starting Salary Range

The estimated starting salary range for this role is $xxxxx - $xxxxx annually less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. The actual salary offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined in the Company's discretion, which may include experience, qualifications, tenure, skill set, avai