Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer

We are seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to support the development of advanced energy systems. This position involves the design and development of mechanical systems, structures, and components including:

• Reactor Internal Structures
• Steam Generator System
• Helium Circulator System
• Graphite Core Components
• Reactor Cavity Cooling System
• Nuclear Auxiliary Systems

The role encompasses concept development, system analysis, and ensuring compliance with technical specifications throughout the entire production process — including prototyping, testing, and commissioning.

Top Skills – Must Haves

1. Mechanical Design & Engineering: Hands-on experience with hardware and full product lifecycle through to production/fabrication. Familiarity with TRL 5+ and MRL 5–6+.
2. Regulated Industry Experience: Aerospace (including FAA), medical devices, automotive, propulsion/rocketry, defense electronics, or similar.
3. Component-Level Design Expertise: High-pressure vessels, fluid systems, reactors, boilers, gas turbines, combustion systems, rocket propulsion systems, heat exchangers, steam-driven systems, thermal systems, advanced mechanisms.
4. Leadership Experience: Demonstrated ability to guide or manage others' work, even without a formal management title.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical/physical concepts and design processes for structures, systems, and components (SSCs) with a focus on safety
• Coordinate with stakeholders to identify and document requirements, interfaces, and design criteria
• Perform structural, thermal, and hydraulic calculations using hand and analytical tools
• Create and maintain CAD-generated engineering models of SSCs
• Integrate design activities across engineering team members, partners, and suppliers
• Assess manufacturability, assembly, and integration of systems
• Write and develop design documentation including basis documents, technical reports, calculations, and drawings
• Develop Verification and Validation (V&V) plans and support toolset qualification
• Ensure compliance with quality procedures and configuration management
• Provide independent reviews and acceptance of engineering deliverables
• Maintain professional communication and collaboration across teams
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Compensation:

• $90,000 – $185,000 annually (completely based off of experience

Work Site Expectations

• Schedule: Standard office hours, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET, Monday–Friday
• Core Hours: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• In-Office Requirement: 4–5 days per week onsite
• Travel: Up to 10% as needed

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $85.00/hr.

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 onsite position in Rockville,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 15, 2025.

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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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.