Mechanical Engineer; Advanced Manufacturing & Reactor Hardware

About the Role

CSMC is seeking a highly capable Mechanical Engineer to support the design, development, fabrication, and qualification of advanced reactor hardware and other mission‑critical mechanical systems.

This role is focused on first‑principles design and end‑to‑end hardware development rather than supporting mature production lines. You will work from concept through prototype and into production readiness, collaborating closely with engineering, suppliers, fabricators, and manufacturing partners.

• Design and develop pressure‑boundary components, welded assemblies, structural systems, and mechanical hardware.
• Translate engineering requirements into practical, manufacturable hardware solutions.
• Create engineering drawings, specifications, manufacturing packages, and technical documentation.
• Perform design trade studies considering manufacturability, cost, performance, quality, and schedule.
• Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles throughout hardware development.
• Support design reviews and technical decision‑making activities.

• Develop manufacturing strategies for pressure vessels, welded structures, machined parts, and mechanical assemblies.
• Evaluate manufacturing routes including plate rolling, forming, machining, welding, heat treatment, casting, forging, and cladding.
• Determine which operations should be performed internally versus outsourced.
• Develop manufacturing work instructions, build procedures, and fabrication documentation.
• Design or support the development of tooling, fixtures, and assembly methods.

• Support development of pressure‑boundary and structural hardware.
• Work directly with fabricators and suppliers to ensure manufacturability and weldability.
• Participate in weld design reviews and fabrication planning activities.
• Support development of inspection, testing, and qualification programs.
• Ensure fabrication approaches align with applicable codes, standards, quality requirements, and safety expectations.

• Support fabrication, assembly, integration, and qualification of prototype hardware.
• Develop testing plans and validation strategies.
• Troubleshoot fabrication, assembly, and performance issues.
• Analyze test results and implement design improvements.
• Support first‑article inspections and manufacturing readiness reviews.

• Identify and qualify suppliers, fabricators, machine shops, and manufacturing partners.
• Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams on supplier selection and technical evaluations.
• Support manufacturing readiness, process capability development, and supply chain qualification activities.
• Participate in technical reviews with external partners and stakeholders.

• Identify manufacturing risks and implement mitigation plans.
• Lead structured root‑cause investigations and corrective actions.
  
  Support quality initiatives including PFMEA, control plans, NCR investigations, and process qualification activities.
  
  Analyze production and test data to identify bottlenecks, variability, and improvement opportunities.
  
  Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
  • Minimum 4 years of experience designing and developing fabricated or welded mechanical systems.
  • Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes including welding, machining, fabrication, forming, and mechanical assembly.
  • Experience working with low‑alloy steels, carbon steels, stainless steels, and aluminum alloys.
  • Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack‑ups, materials selection, manufacturing drawings, and design documentation.
  • Experience working directly with machine shops, weld shops, fabricators, and industrial suppliers.
  • Ability to develop hardware and manufacturing solutions from first principles.
  • Strong problem‑solving, communication, and project execution skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, multidisciplinary engineering environment.
  Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience designing pressure vessels, pressure piping, boilers, reactors, or pressure‑boundary…