Senior Mechanical Engineer - Reactor Structures

Forge Atomics

Humanity faces two critical challenges: securing reliable energy and aggressively lowering our environmental impact. At Forge, we believe nuclear fission is the key to solving both at once. Today Forge is developing the technology to rapidly scale the deployment of nuclear fission.

Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Reactor Structures

Forge is seeking a mechanical engineer to design and build reactor hardware such as the pressure vessel, containment, and structural elements for Ember, our pilot 25 MWe reactor. These designs must withstand the temperature and pressure environments of the reactor while meeting regulatory requirements and being optimized for cost, mass, and manufacturability. Sr. Structures Engineers will own the most complex structural hardware while setting the technical bar for the structures engineering team. Successful candidates will have a demonstrated record of delivering mechanical systems in fast-paced, high-reliability environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and test pressure vessels, containment structures, seismic isolation, and secondary structures for Ember, our pilot nuclear reactor

• Carry out trade studies for optimal structural materials, balancing cost, mass, strength, corrosion resistance, and manufacturability

• Validate reliability of designs with rigorous testing: thermal cycling, pressure cycling, shock, vibration, radiation embrittlement, and corrosion. Design experiments to validate analysis, develop fixturing, and create technical reports based on results

• Work with manufacturers to understand process limitations and adapt designs for lead times and manufacturability

• Collaborate with other engineering teams to develop designs that balance cost, performance, and deployment logistics

• Support the assembly, test, and integration of your hardware in the factory

• Mentor junior structures engineers and set the standard for technical rigor across the team

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related technical discipline

• 5+ years of engineering experience designing, analyzing, and building mechanical hardware

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Strong communication and collaboration skills across engineering disciplines

• 5+ years of experience designing and analyzing mechanical systems via professional work experience, project/research-based student experience, or a combination of both

• Experience acting as a technical lead: scoping work, reviewing designs and processes, and guiding other engineers to successful outcomes

• Ability to perform trade studies and make clear recommendations using first principles and engineering fundamentals even with partial information

• Experience in a fast-paced hardware development environment with tight schedule and budget constraints

• Hands on experience designing, testing, and operating high-pressure systems and pressure vessels

• Experience with forging for large, high-pressure vessels

• Experience with welding processes, inspection, and qualification

• Experience designing to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code

• Hands-on experience with fluid, gas, or thermal systems

Additional Requirements

• Position will be based in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County and will require relocation if not already local. The position will be full-time in the office.

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary

• Ability to travel to reactor construction sites in other states as necessary

Compensation and Benefits

Pay range:

• Senior: $140,000.00 - $210,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Forge. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or stock options, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, paid vacation, paid parental leave, and various other perks. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

Forge is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Forge is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant's capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.