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IW
Illinois workNet
Lead Mechanical Engineer 1 - Nuclear
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What they do
A Nuclear Engineer researches and develops technology and systems that use nuclear energy and radiation. Maintains the safety of existing nuclear power systems, or develops nuclear power sources, or develops industrial and medical uses for radioactive material.
$132,732 / year median in Illinois
+10% projected growth
Job Description
Description This role offers a hybrid work arrangement. You'll spend three days a week in the office, giving you the flexibility to work remotely for two days. You will be involved in nuclear power plant systems design, including preparation or review of: Modification packages for operating nuclear power plants Functional mechanical drawings and/or drawings for nuclear power plant systems Engineering analyses and evaluations to support modifications and operation of plant systems Technical specifications and procurement documents for plant equipment Vendor bid evaluations for plant equipment Studies and options evaluations for modifications to operating nuclear power plants In addition, you will have the opportunity to: Develop engineering cost estimates for small to mid-sized client-requested work scopes Visit client office and/or plant site locations to interface with the client and make presentations related to engineering tasks and status Lead engineering project teams Qualifications We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position. BS or MS in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering from an ABET accredited program with academic coursework in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfers A minimum of 10 years of experience in the power industry Working knowledge of codes, standards, and regulations that apply to mechanical engineering design of nuclear power plants PE license is beneficial, but not required AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools: You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs. Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked. Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required. We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows. Award-Winning Benefits At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.