Senior Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Senior Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

This Mechanical Engineer role focuses on supporting commercial nuclear power plant modification projects by developing and reviewing engineering evaluations, design changes, calculations, and technical solutions that enhance plant safety, reliability, and operational performance. You will work on complex mechanical systems and plant modifications, contribute to modernization and upgrade efforts that support growing energy demand, and serve as a technical resource and mentor for junior engineers within a recognized leader in nuclear engineering services.

Responsibilities

• Develop and review engineering evaluations, calculations, and technical analyses that support plant safety, reliability, and operational performance.

• Prepare, review, and implement design changes and engineering change packages for commercial nuclear power plant modifications.

• Perform mechanical system design and analysis for plant systems, components, and equipment within a heavily regulated environment.

• Support plant modifications and modernization projects, including upgrades that improve plant performance and extend asset life.

• Conduct equipment reliability assessments and recommend technical solutions to improve system performance and availability.

• Troubleshoot mechanical systems and perform root cause evaluations to identify and resolve equipment and system issues.

• Execute pipe stress analysis using tools such as AutoPIPE and CAESAR II, including hightemperature piping evaluations.

• Perform structural and finite element analyses using ANSYS Mechanical or similar tools, including pressure vessel analysis in accordance with ASME and API codes.

• Conduct thermal hydraulic analysis and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies using ANSYS Fluent or similar tools to evaluate system behavior and performance.

• Ensure all work complies with applicable nuclear industry codes, standards, and regulatory requirements, including ASME and API standards.

• Interface directly with utility and nuclear facility clients to understand project needs, present technical solutions, and support project execution.

• Work effectively within a heavily regulated industrial environment, adhering to site procedures, quality assurance requirements, and nuclear safety culture expectations.

• Support and mentor junior engineers by providing technical guidance, reviewing their work, and fostering professional development.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to plan, coordinate, and execute engineering tasks and deliverables on schedule.

• Travel to commercial nuclear facilities and office locations as needed to support onsite work, client meetings, and project reviews.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering strongly preferred.

• Other engineering degrees may be considered, subject to internal qualification review.

• 10+ years of engineering experience with a Professional Engineer (PE) license, or 15+ years of engineering experience without a PE license.

• Demonstrated nuclear industry experience, which may include commercial nuclear power, DOE facilities, research reactors, fuel cycle, or naval nuclear programs.

• Proven experience supporting plant modifications, design changes, or engineering change packages in a regulated environment.

• Experience performing engineering evaluations and technical analyses for mechanical systems and components.

• Experience working within heavily regulated industrial environments, such as nuclear, power generation, oil and gas, petrochemical, or pharmaceutical facilities.

• Ability to obtain and maintain unescorted access at commercial nuclear facilities, in accordance with site and regulatory requirements.

• Comfort working onsite at commercial nuclear facilities, including adherence to site procedures and safety requirements.

• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 25% of the time to support project and client needs.

• Strong mechanical design and analysis capabilities, including mechanical system design and plant modification experience.

• Proficiency with pipe stress analysis tools such as AutoPIPE and CAESAR II.

• Experience with structural and finite element analysis using ANSYS Mechanical or similar FEA tools.

• Knowledge of ASME Section VIII and relevant API codes for pressure vessel and mechanical component analysis.

• Experience with hightemperature piping analysis, including familiarity with ASME Section III Division 5.

• Experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools such as ANSYS Fluent or similar for thermal hydraulic analysis.

• Ability to interface directly with utility clients and stakeholders, communicating complex technical information clearly and professionally.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Relevant experience from power generation, oil and gas, petrochemical, or pharmaceutical facilities, particularly where strong mechanical design and analysis skills were applied.

• Experience preparing and managing engineering change packages for complex industrial or nuclear facilities.

• Experience in equipment reliability programs, including identification and mitigation of degradation mechanisms.

• Experience conducting root cause evaluations and implementing corrective actions for mechanical system issues.

• Familiarity with nuclear plant modification processes, configuration control, and design change processes.

• Experience using advanced analysis tools for FEA, CFD, and pipe stress beyond the minimum requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor and support junior engineers, including reviewing work and providing structured feedback.

• Interest in contributing to plant modernization and upgrade initiatives that support longterm energy demand and reliability.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for preparing technical reports, calculations, and client presentations.

• Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and adapt to changing project priorities.

Work Environment

This role offers a primarily remote work arrangement, complemented by periodic travel to nuclear plant sites and office locations as project needs dictate. You will work in a highly regulated nuclear industry environment that emphasizes safety, quality, and compliance with strict procedures and standards. Site visits may involve working in operational commercial nuclear facilities, where you will follow established access, security, and safety protocols and collaborate closely with plant personnel and multidisciplinary engineering teams. The position involves regular use of advanced engineering software tools such as AutoPIPE, CAESAR II, ANSYS Mechanical, and ANSYS Fluent, as well as other analysis and documentation systems commonly used in nuclear and heavy industrial projects. Travel is expected to be approximately 25% of the time to support onsite work, client meetings, and coordination with project teams, while the remote component allows focused analytical and design work in a professional office setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Charlotte, NC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $92.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.