Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer - Component & Hardware Ownership

Location: Rockville, MD (On-site / Hybrid)

The Mission

Traditional nuclear and aerospace projects can take decades to get off the drawing board. We are changing that. We are partnering with an advanced technology pioneer that is actively building and commercializing next generation technology designed to provide clean, safe, and continuous power to heavy industry and the grid.

With major commercial backing and a clear path to deployment, our client is moving fast. We are looking for Mechanical Design Engineers who want to escape the bureaucracy of legacy engineering and actually build physical hardware.

Why This Role is Different

True Ownership: You will not just be designing minor brackets or updating legacy drawings. You will own complex, mechanical assemblies from initial CAD layout through finite element scoping, prototyping, testing, and vendor fabrication.

Work with Real, Heavy Hardware: This is a role for engineers who love physical machinery. Your designs will involve massive metallic structures, high-temperature carbon/graphite components, and custom structural internals.

You will work in a tight-knit team where your decisions directly shape the final product. We value fast design loops, practical engineering intuition, and physical prototyping over endless red tape.

Position Summary

As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you will lead the detailed design, development, and delivery of core mechanical systems and assemblies. You will bridge the gap between complex conceptual layouts and the factory floor, working directly with systems engineers, analysts, and suppliers to deliver reliable, manufacturable, and code-compliant hardware.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and optimize detailed 3D CAD models and production-ready 2D engineering drawings.
• Run hand calculations and initial scoping analyses (structural, thermal, hydraulic).
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and assembly sequencing.
• Oversee prototype development, test plans, and hardware qualification to validate your designs.
• Partner with external suppliers to oversee the procurement and fabrication of large metallic or high-temperature components.

Examples of Systems You Will Own

• internal structures and supports
• Core structural graphite/carbon components and assemblies
• pressure vessel internals
• Custom high-temperature hardware and tooling

What We Are Looking For

• Hardware: You have owned physical hardware or complex mechanical assemblies in a production environment (aerospace, defense, automotive, heavy machinery, or power generation).
• CAD Expertise: High proficiency in major 3D CAD platforms (NX, SolidWorks, or Creo) and product lifecycle management (PLM) tools.
• Drafting & GD&T: Strong understanding of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) to create clear, manufacturable fabrication drawings.
• Hands-on Mindset: You enjoy getting your hands dirty during prototype builds, physical testing, or troubleshooting vendor issues on the shop floor.
• Materials & Manufacturing Knowledge: Solid grasp of metallurgy, welding, machining processes, or high-temperature materials.

What is in it for You

You will have the opportunity to work at the precipice of the clean energy transition. Our client offers highly competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 401k match), robust professional development support, and a work culture where your engineering contributions are visible every day.