
Prinicipal Piping Mechanical Engineer
Deep Fission · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $150,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Analyze nuclear reactor piping and pressure vessels.
- Perform stress, fatigue, and seismic analyses.
- Utilize ANSYS, AutoPIPE, and ASME codes.
- Support reactor design and regulatory compliance.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
About the role
Principal Piping Mechanical Engineer
Deep Fission is a nuclear technology company pioneering the development of a revolutionary deep borehole pressurized water reactor. We recently completed a private placement financing and Alternative Public Offering and are now operating as a public company while maintaining our startup agility and innovation focus. With strategic partnerships in place, strong private and public investment, and active engagement with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), we are executing our next phase of growth as we advance our groundbreaking nuclear technology toward commercial deployment.
Job Summary
Deep Fission is seeking a highly skilled Piping Mechanical Engineer to join our engineering team. This role is central to ensuring the structural integrity, thermal performance, and safety of nuclear reactor components and systems through advanced computational modeling and simulation. The Piping Mechanical Engineer will perform complex analyses on piping systems, pressure vessels, and supporting structures, directly contributing to reactor design validation, licensing submittments, and regulatory compliance. This is an outstanding opportunity for an engineer passionate about applying advanced simulation techniques to solve critical challenges in next-generation nuclear energy.
Key Responsibilities And Duties
- Perform various analyses including stress, fatigue, buckling, seismic, and vibration of piping systems, pressure vessels, heat exchangers and structural supports using classical tools like Mathcad and finite element analysis (FEA) software like ANSYS.
- Conduct stress, fatigue, fracture mechanics, creep, and buckling analyses in accordance with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section VIII or III and other applicable codes and standards.
- Perform thermal-hydraulic and coupled multiphysics simulations to evaluate component behavior under normal operating, transient, and accident conditions.
- Support reactor design efforts by providing analytical justification for material selection, geometry optimization, and design modifications.
- Prepare detailed analysis reports, calculation packages, and technical documentation suitable for internal design reviews and regulatory submittals.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including nuclear engineers, structural engineers, CAD designers, and licensing specialists to integrate FEA results into overall design packages.
- Develop and maintain analysis procedures, quality assurance documentation, and verification/validation (V&V) protocols for FEA software tools and methodologies.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the development of the team’s FEA capabilities and best practices.
Requirements And Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
- Minimum of 5–8 years of professional experience performing piping design and analysis in an engineering environment, with at least 2 years in the nuclear, power generation, aerospace, or similarly regulated industry.
- Advanced proficiency in one or more FEA software platforms such as ANSYS.
- Advanced proficiency in one or more piping analysis software platforms such as AutoPIPE.
- Strong working knowledge of ASME BPVC Section III or Section VIII for nuclear component design and analysis.
- Strong working knowledge of ASME B31.1 and B31.3 for piping design and analysis.
- Knowledge of the design, selection, and application of pipe supporting elements.
- Working knowledge of commercially available piping products and their application.
- Strong understanding of material properties and behavior under high-temperature, irradiation, and corrosive environments relevant to nuclear applications.
- Excellent technical writing skills with the ability to produce clear, well-organized analysis reports and calculation packages.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills for working across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the United States.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience with nuclear piping, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, support structures, or primary system components.
- Experience with seismic analysis (response spectrum, time-history) for nuclear safety-related structures, systems, and components (SSCs).
- Experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools for coupled thermal-hydraulic/structural analyses.
- Knowledge of probabilistic fracture mechanics and risk-informed analysis methods.
- Experience developing automated analysis workflows using Python, APDL, or equivalent scripting languages.
- Familiarity with nuclear quality assurance programs (NQA-1) and configuration management practices.
Our Commitment
Deep Fission is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who share our passion for advancing clean nuclear energy and creating a sustainable future. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Key skills/competency
- Piping Mechanical Engineer
- FEA Software (ANSYS)
- Piping Analysis Software (AutoPIPE)
- ASME BPVC Section III
- ASME B31.1/B31.3
- Stress Analysis
- Fatigue Analysis
- Fracture Mechanics
- Seismic Analysis
- Nuclear Reactor Components
Skills & topics
- Principal Piping Mechanical Engineer
- FEA
- ANSYS
- AutoPIPE
- ASME BPVC
- ASME B31.1
- ASME B31.3
- Stress Analysis
- Piping Design
- Nuclear Engineering
- Mechanical Engineer
- Seismic Analysis
- Fracture Mechanics
- Thermal-Hydraulics
- Regulated Industry
- Public Company
- Startup Agility
- NRC
- Mathcad
- CFD
- Python
- APDL
- NQA-1
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 5-8 years of piping analysis experience, focusing on nuclear or regulated industries. Emphasize ANSYS, AutoPIPE, and ASME code expertise.
- Showcase nuclear experience: Detail your work with ASME BPVC Section III/VIII, B31.1/B31.3, and any seismic or CFD analysis experience.
- Demonstrate technical skills: Quantify your contributions in stress, fatigue, buckling, and thermal-hydraulic simulations. Mention any scripting (Python, APDL) or NQA-1 experience.
- Prepare for technical questions: Be ready to discuss complex FEA methodologies, ASME code applications, and challenges in nuclear component analysis during interviews.
- Express passion for clean energy: Articulate your interest in Deep Fission's mission to advance nuclear energy technology.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What specific ASME codes are most critical for the Principal Piping Mechanical Engineer role at Deep Fission?
- The Principal Piping Mechanical Engineer role at Deep Fission requires strong working knowledge of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section III or Section VIII for nuclear component design and analysis, as well as ASME B31.1 and B31.3 for piping design and analysis. Familiarity with these codes is essential for performing analyses and ensuring regulatory compliance.
- What FEA and piping analysis software proficiency is expected for this position?
- Advanced proficiency in at least one FEA software platform, such as ANSYS, is required. Additionally, advanced proficiency in a piping analysis software platform like AutoPIPE is essential for performing the necessary analyses on piping systems and related components.
- Does Deep Fission require U.S. citizenship for the Principal Piping Mechanical Engineer role?
- Yes, candidates for the Principal Piping Mechanical Engineer position must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the United States. This is a standard requirement for roles within the nuclear industry, especially those involving sensitive technology and regulatory oversight.
- What type of analyses will a Principal Piping Mechanical Engineer perform at Deep Fission?
- A Principal Piping Mechanical Engineer at Deep Fission will perform a variety of analyses including stress, fatigue, buckling, seismic, and vibration. They will also conduct fracture mechanics and creep analyses, as well as thermal-hydraulic and coupled multiphysics simulations to evaluate component behavior under different operating conditions.
- What are the opportunities for career growth for a Principal Piping Mechanical Engineer at Deep Fission?
- This role offers significant opportunities for growth, including mentoring junior engineers and contributing to the development of the team’s FEA capabilities and best practices. As Deep Fission advances its groundbreaking nuclear technology, there will be increasing opportunities to take on more complex challenges and leadership roles.
- How does Deep Fission contribute to clean nuclear energy innovation?
- Deep Fission is pioneering the development of a revolutionary deep borehole pressurized water reactor. The company is focused on advancing this groundbreaking nuclear technology toward commercial deployment, aiming to provide a sustainable and clean energy future through innovative nuclear power solutions.