Applied Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

Provides applied mechanical engineering for a novel advanced reactor design project. Apply engineering principles to the solution of mechanical problems as they relate to reactor design activities. Mechanical problems are those that are related to the motion and dynamics of heat, gas, air, fluids, and solid materials required to design nuclear reactors and systems that function in a safe and reliable, efficient, and predictable manner. Must be proficient in designing systems in accordance with relevant national consensus codes and standards such as ASME B31 series and BPVC.

This position is full-time,
4-10 schedule Monday thru Thursday. This is a remote position. When travel is required, it may be to either the Research Campus in Idaho Falls or the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC), located at the desert site,
estimated at once per month.

Job duration is projected to be a 6-month period of performance w/ option for extension of up to 18-month period.

Responsibilities
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities: (Knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for this position.)
Demonstrated ability to work with a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers on a novel advanced reactor design.
Demonstrated effectiveness at system design and evaluation.
Demonstrated effectiveness with project completion and implementation.
Experience with high temperature springs
Proven experience with design of safety related steel and concrete nuclear structures.
Experience with shielding systems is preferred.
Proven experience with design of pipe supports in accordance with ASME B31.
Document the design of electromechanical devices (controlled and approved models, drawings, specifications, design descriptions) such as control rod/drum drive mechanisms to establish conformance with design requirements and applicable codes and standards.
Decompose project objectives into defined and controlled design requirements using a systems engineering approach and applying digital engineering tools for tracking requirements and design parameters.
Use design methodologies, technologies, and processes which are best practice for the technical discipline to develop and define a design, and to validate that the design meets defined requirements.
Establish testing, inspection, and quality requirements to ensure technical features important to design functions are maintained.
Oversee or otherwise ensure that fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement are done in accordance with the design.
Ensure any design meets the technical baseline requirements and applicable codes and regulations.
Develop, ensure adequacy of, and maintain configuration management of the technical baseline. Establish and maintain configuration management of assigned system.
Ensure consistency in operation characteristics among applicable documents such as drawings, technical manuals, operating instructions, emergency operating procedures.
Work with other designers, customers, and analysts to develop experiment requirements, perform conceptual and final designs, follow all fabrication and inspection activities, lead experiment assembly activities, support installation and testing of experiments, and support development of integrated analyses to ensure that facility safety bases are met.
Responsible for design and fabrication and associated activities leading to reactor operations and experimentation.
Other duties as assigned by the Lead Reactor Project Engineer or the Engineering Manager.

Qualifications
Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related field, with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience; or a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related field, with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience. The qualifying degree must be from an ABET-accredited program.
Must be a United States Citizen
Remote work with travel to INL estimated at once per month.
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principals involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
"This position is contingent upon contract award and funding. Applicants selected may be offered but cannot begin work until funding has been confirmed."

Job ID
2026-25787
Work Type
Remote
Pay Range
$110,000 - $195,000
Benefits
Regular - The company offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) and a range of other voluntary benefits. Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered to regular full-time and part-time employees.
Company Description
Work Where it Matters

Akima Infrastructure Services (AIS), an Akima company, is not just another staffing contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.

At AIS, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.

For our shareholders,
AIS provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.

For our government customers,
AIS supports vital missions with the most in-demand and specialized skill sets in the world.

As an AIS employee,
you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities: (Knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for this position.)
Demonstrated ability to work with a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers on a novel advanced reactor design.
Demonstrated effectiveness at system design and evaluation.
Demonstrated effectiveness with project completion and implementation.
Experience with high temperature springs
Proven experience with design of safety related steel and concrete nuclear structures.
Experience with shielding systems is preferred.
Proven experience with design of pipe supports in accordance with ASME B31.
Document the design of electromechanical devices (controlled and approved models, drawings, specifications, design descriptions) such as control rod/drum drive mechanisms to establish conformance with design requirements and applicable codes and standards.
Decompose project objectives into defined and controlled design requirements using a systems engineering approach and applying digital engineering tools for tracking requirements and design parameters.
Use design methodologies, technologies, and processes which are best practice for the technical discipline to develop and define a design, and to validate that the design meets defined requirements.
Establish testing, inspection, and quality requirements to ensure technical features important to design functions are maintained.
Oversee or otherwise ensure that fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement are done in accordance with the design.
Ensure any design meets the technical baseline requirements and applicable codes and regulations.
Develop, ensure adequacy of, and maintain configuration management of the technical baseline. Establish and maintain configuration management of assigned system.
Ensure consistency in operation characteristics among applicable documents such as drawings, technical manuals, operating instructions, emergency operating procedures.
Work with other designers, customers, and analysts to develop experiment requirements, perform conceptual and final designs, follow all fabrication and inspection activities, lead experiment assembly activities, support installation and testing of experiments, and support development of integrated analyses to ensure that facility safety bases are met.
Responsible for design and fabrication and associated activities leading to reactor operations and experimentation.
Other duties as assigned by the Lead Reactor Project Engineer or the Engineering Manager.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related field, with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience; or a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related field, with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience. The qualifying degree must be from an ABET-accredited program.
Must be a United States Citizen
Remote work with travel to INL estimated at once per month.
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principals involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
"This position is contingent upon contract award and funding. Applicants selected may be offered but cannot begin work until funding has been confirmed."