Mechanical Design Engineer

Company Description

Hadron Energy specializes in Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) development, design, and research based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a leading MMR developer, Hadron Energy is designing factory-produced, transportable microreactors that provide 24/7 carbon-free power for data centers, government facilities, industrial sites, and remote communities. Our mission is to create a brighter, healthier, and more equitable energy future.

Mechanical Design Engineer – Balance of Plant (BOP) – Role Description

This is a full-time remote role for a Mechanical Design Engineer – Balance of Plant (BOP), based in the United States. The position is ideal for candidates with strong mechanical design experience in power generation, thermal-fluid systems, and industrial equipment who are passionate about developing advanced nuclear energy systems.

The Mechanical Design Engineer – Balance of Plant will be responsible for the design, specification, integration, and optimization of major Balance of Plant equipment supporting Hadron Energy’s micro modular reactor platform. Working closely with the System Design Engineer – Balance of Plant, this individual will focus on the detailed engineering and technical oversight of key power conversion and heat rejection equipment, including turbine generators, air-cooled condensers, heat exchangers, pumps, and auxiliary mechanical systems.

You will collaborate with reactor engineers, thermal-hydraulic analysts, electrical engineers, vendors, and external engineering partners to develop efficient, reliable, and cost-effective plant systems that support commercial deployment objectives and future manufacturing scalability.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design, specification, and integration of major Balance of Plant equipment and systems
• Develop equipment specifications and design requirements for turbine generators, air-cooled condensers, heat exchangers, pumps, valves, and auxiliary systems
• Perform mechanical evaluations, sizing calculations, equipment selection studies, and performance assessments
• Coordinate with thermal-hydraulics and system design engineers to ensure proper integration of mechanical equipment into overall plant architecture
• Develop and review equipment layouts, general arrangements, piping interfaces, and equipment support concepts
• Support vendor selection, technical evaluations, bid reviews, and procurement activities
• Provide engineering oversight for substantial subcontracted equipment design and engineering scope
• Review supplier calculations, equipment drawings, technical reports, and manufacturing documentation
• Conduct trade studies to improve efficiency, reliability, maintainability, constructability, and lifecycle cost
• Support development of P&IDs, equipment lists, system descriptions, and engineering documentation
• Collaborate with licensing, safety, structural, and manufacturing teams to ensure compliance with project requirements
• Participate in design reviews, equipment qualification activities, testing programs, and startup planning efforts
• Identify opportunities for simplification, standardization, modularization, and cost reduction across Balance of Plant systems

Qualifications & Skillsets

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or a related discipline
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical design, equipment engineering, or power generation systems
• Strong experience with turbine generators, condensers, heat exchangers, pumps, cooling systems, or similar industrial equipment
• Knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and power conversion systems
• Experience developing equipment specifications and managing vendor-supplied equipment packages
• Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks, Inventor, AutoCAD, or equivalent tools
• Familiarity with ASME codes, pressure boundary requirements, and industrial equipment design standards
• Experience reviewing supplier designs, calculations, and technical documentation
• Understanding of power plant systems, industrial process systems, or nuclear plant Balance of Plant equipment
• Strong analytical, technical writing, and communication skills
• Ability to coordinate engineering activities across internal and external organizations
• Experience supporting procurement, factory acceptance testing (FAT), and equipment qualification activities is highly desirable
• Passion for clean energy, innovation, and developing practical engineering solutions for advanced nuclear deployment