Mechanical Engineer

The Mechanical Engineer supports Standard Nuclear’s fuel development and manufacturing programs by providing mechanical design, equipment development, fabrication support, and manufacturing engineering support for current and upcoming production projects. This role works across engineering, laboratory, manufacturing, and vendor environments to help develop reliable equipment and production systems for advanced nuclear fuel manufacturing.

This is a hands-on engineering role suited for a mechanical engineer with experience in equipment design, tooling, fixtures, fabrication methods, manufacturing support, or process equipment development. The Mechanical Engineer will support concept development, detailed design, vendor coordination, equipment buildout, installation, troubleshooting, and transition of development activities into repeatable manufacturing practices.

The role requires strong mechanical design fundamentals, practical fabrication judgment, disciplined documentation, and the ability to work closely with engineering, manufacturing, fuel development, quality, maintenance, EH&S, radiological controls, and external suppliers in a regulated manufacturing environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Mechanical Design & Engineering Support

• Develop mechanical designs for equipment, tooling, fixtures, material handling systems, and production support hardware
• Create and review drawings, models, specifications, layouts, and technical requirements for manufacturing equipment and related systems
• Support design activities from concept development through detailed design, fabrication, installation, testing, and commissioning
• Evaluate equipment performance, mechanical functionality, maintainability, reliability, and manufacturability
• Ensure mechanical designs support safe operation, practical fabrication, ease of maintenance, and production scalability

Equipment Development & Fabrication Support

• Support development of fabrication methods, equipment concepts, tooling approaches, and process support systems for advanced manufacturing activities
• Work with internal teams and external vendors to source, fabricate, modify, and implement mechanical components and equipment
• Provide engineering support during buildout, installation, troubleshooting, and startup of new or modified equipment
• Identify design risks, equipment limitations, fabrication constraints, and opportunities for improvement
• Support hands-on problem-solving during equipment trials, process development activities, and production readiness work

Manufacturing & Process Integration

• Work with fuel development and manufacturing teams to translate process needs into practical mechanical designs and equipment solutions
• Support optimization of manufacturing systems to improve repeatability, throughput, reliability, ergonomics, and product quality
• Assist with layout planning, material movement, equipment integration, containment approaches, and production workflow improvements
• Collaborate with maintenance and operations teams to ensure equipment designs can be operated, maintained, and repaired effectively
• Support investigations related to equipment performance, mechanical failures, production interruptions, or process variability

Documentation & Project Execution

• Prepare and maintain engineering documentation, including drawings, specifications, design notes, equipment records, test plans, reports, and change documentation
• Support design reviews, technical reviews, project planning, readiness reviews, and cross-functional problem-solving activities
• Coordinate with vendors, fabricators, and internal stakeholders to keep engineering deliverables moving on schedule
• Communicate technical status, design risks, open issues, and recommended actions clearly to engineering and project leadership
• Ensure work is completed in accordance with applicable quality, safety, radiological, environmental, and operational requirements

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field
• 3+ years of experience in mechanical design, manufacturing engineering, equipment design, process equipment, tooling, or related technical work
• Experience designing or supporting equipment, fixtures, tooling, material handling systems, or production support hardware
• Proficiency with CAD software and ability to create, review, and revise engineering drawings and models
• Experience supporting fabrication, installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, or improvement of mechanical systems
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, manufacturability, tolerancing, materials, equipment reliability, and practical fabrication methods
• Experience in advanced manufacturing, chemical processing, nuclear, aerospace, defense, energy, industrial equipment, or other regulated technical environments preferred
• Strong hands-on problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively across engineering, manufacturing, quality, maintenance, and vendor teams

BENEFITS

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Disability and Life Insurance
• 401K Plan
• Paid Time Off, Holidays

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role is based on-site at Standard Nuclear’s Oak Ridge, TN nuclear fuel fabrication facility and involves work across office, laboratory, manufacturing, and controlled environments.

The position requires regular interaction with engineering, manufacturing, fuel development, quality, maintenance, EH&S, radiological controls, and technical teams. Work may involve manufacturing equipment, mechanical systems, tooling, fabrication activities, production areas, controlled environments, and use of required PPE. Adherence to site safety, quality, radiological, environmental, and operational procedures is expected. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.