CRD System Design Engineer

Our client, a Pacific Northwest-based advanced energy technology company, is looking for a CRD System Design Engineer (Mechanical). This contract role supports the design and delivery of a control rod drive system for a first-of-a-kind nuclear reactor demonstration project.

Location: Remote
Duration: 12 months
Compensation: $54 – $90 per hour.
Additional Compensation: This position is not eligible for bonus or incentive compensation.
Benefits: Benefits available to eligible employees or consultants may include medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid sick leave, retirement savings plans, and other employer sponsored programs.

*US citizens and those authorized to work in the US are encouraged to apply.*
*Work sponsorship is not currently available.*

Summary:
This role supports the ongoing design and delivery of a control rod drive system for an advanced nuclear reactor program. The engineer will collaborate with project managers, design engineers, analysts, test engineers, and other specialists in a high-performing, multidisciplinary environment. Responsibilities span the full design lifecycle — from requirements definition through licensing support — with a strong emphasis on nuclear industry best practices, configuration management, and cross-functional coordination.

Key Responsibilities:
- Design nuclear and industrial mechanical systems, including requirements definition, analysis, specifications, and system drawings.
- Develop and maintain system architecture and design documentation, such as Design Basis Documents, P&IDs, Logic Diagrams, and Interface Control Documents.
- Establish equipment design bases, including regulatory criteria, functional and performance criteria, and failure mode and effects analysis.
- Drive alignment across multidisciplinary engineering teams — including nuclear, thermal hydraulic, mechanical, instrumentation and controls, and civil-structural — to implement system requirements.
- Evaluate equipment and technology development requirements and implement development strategies for novel technologies or approaches.
- Develop engineering designs that account for lifecycle factors including operability, maintainability, and reliability.
- Manage technical interfaces with suppliers, including review and verification of deliverables, and coordinate with supply chain teams to ensure timely delivery.
- Prepare engineering change packages including calculations, design reports, drawings, and specifications.
- Support licensing activities required to obtain construction and operating licenses, including development of safety analysis reports, technical specifications, topical reports, and other licensing documents.
- Participate in project design reviews at milestones and periodic assessment points to verify compliance and completeness.
- Promote continuous learning and application of nuclear industry best practices.

Qualifications:
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline from an accredited university.
- 6+ years of relevant mechanical engineering experience (Level 10) or 10+ years (Level 11); an advanced degree may partially substitute for experience depending on relevance.
- Demonstrated experience designing complex structures, managing multi-discipline integration, and working with mechanical pressure vessel equipment.
- Strong understanding of configuration management principles and design control tools applied to nuclear or similarly complex industrial applications.
- Experience working to quality standards on design activities, such as ASME NQA-1 or ISO 9001.
- Excellent technical writing, communication, and presentation skills.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to technical excellence.
- Self-starter with the ability to coordinate effectively within a design team and work with minimal direction.
- Ability to manage competing objectives and design constraints, resolve conflicts between objectives, and work on simultaneous multidisciplinary tasks.

Nice to Have:
- Previous experience with nuclear reactors and systems, high-temperature pressure vessels, or similar system design.
- General or working knowledge of ASME BPVC Section III.
- Professional Engineering (PE) licensure.
- Experience originating and developing technical documentation to support system architecture.

About Hansell Tierney:
Hansell Tierney is one of the premier staffing and recruiting companies in the Pacific Northwest. Launched in 2001, we are a woman-owned business that serves and staffs Northwest organizations by doing things the right way, not just the easiest way. Hansell Tierney partners with candidates and clients to match the best candidates with interesting local opportunities. We navigate every relationship with the highest level of discretion and service while holding ourselves accountable to our promises. Our business thrives on our deep understanding of the job market and our ability to skillfully tailor our recruitment process to meet our clients' unique needs.

This Organization Participates in E-Verify

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

Compensation and Benefits Disclosure

The compensation range listed above represents the expected range for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including experience, skills, internal equity, and geographic location.

Benefits available to eligible employees or consultants may include medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid sick leave, retirement savings plans, paid time off, and other employer-sponsored programs.