Senior Mechanical Design Engineer (Nuclear Reactor)

Location: Santa Clara, CA or remote within the United States. Remote employees must travel to the Santa Clara headquarters twice per quarter based on business or team needs, and must work in person at headquarters for the first two weeks of onboarding. Applicants must meet the definition of a U.S. person under applicable export-control laws.

Salary: $125,00–$165,000 annually

Company

hirify.global develops advanced fast-fission power plants, nuclear fuel recycling technologies, and radioisotope supply-chain solutions to deliver clean and reliable energy.

What you will do

• Own the mechanical design of complex reactor-module components and subsystems, including vessels, support structures, coolant-flow elements, weldments, and assemblies.
• Advance designs from concept through detailed design, validation, and fabrication readiness using 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, bills of materials, and controlled PDM/PLM processes.
• Define requirements and collaborate with structural, thermal, systems, materials, manufacturing, and safety engineering teams.
• Lead design reviews, evaluate deficiencies, resolve technical issues, and document design rationales and system architecture.
• Perform manufacturability reviews, tolerance studies, and DFM/DFA assessments with fabrication partners.
• Manage external consultants and engineering firms supporting analysis, ASME Code compliance, and design maturity.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of industry experience in mechanical or structural design within aerospace, automotive, energy, industrial equipment, or related sectors.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as Siemens NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks, including large assemblies and detailed drawings.
• Experience with PDM/PLM systems and design-control processes.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical design, DFM, DFA, tolerance stack-up analysis, material selection, manufacturing methods, and fabrication techniques.
• Ability to apply and interpret GD&T in accordance with ASME Y14.5 or similar standards and collaborate effectively across engineering and manufacturing teams.

Nice to have

• Experience designing large structural weldments, mechanical joints, and safety-critical hardware.
• Familiarity with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Sections III or VIII.
• Experience leading hardware through concept, design, testing, and production.
• Knowledge of large-scale fabrication, transportation and handling of large components, thermal-mechanical analysis, high-temperature design, nuclear fission, or radiation effects on materials.

Culture & Benefits

• Startup environment focused on clean energy and advanced fission.
• Collaborative, cross-functional work with emphasis on ownership, humility, creativity, and technical excellence.
• Flexible time off, flexible work hours, equity, competitive pay, 401(k), health insurance, and FSA.
• Employment may require successful drug-screening completion and may include further testing under company policy and applicable laws.