Demo

Mechanical Engineer

Y-12 National Security Complex
Oak Ridge, TN Full Time
POSTED ON 9/2/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 10/1/2026
Location: Oak Ridge, TN

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer

Career Level From: Associate

Career Level To: Senior Specialist

Organization: Projects Equipment Design (51425141)

Job Specialty: Core Engineering

What You'll Do

The mechanical engineer will be a member of the Projects Equipment Design organization responsible for designing and/or specifying specialty and first-of-a-kind equipment such as gloveboxes, furnaces, high vacuum systems and metal casting/machining equipment. Engineers will prepare design output documents such as build-to-print drawings, engineering procurement documents such as equipment specifications and datasheets, engineering instructions, statements of work, design analysis calculations to include finite element analysis, structural and seismic analysis, kinematic calculations, multibody dynamics analysis, heat transfer calculations, and ergonomic evaluations. Engineers will also prepare deliverables such as man-hour and cost estimates and provide support during equipment procurement, fabrication, testing, and installation.

Key Responsibilities Include

  • Design and develop high-quality, detailed design packages for new specialty equipment using established engineering principles, codes and standards, safety regulations, and cost and schedule targets
  • Develop detailed equipment specifications for subcontracted equipment design/build procurements
  • Create, or oversee the creation of design concepts using Pro/Engineer (Creo) CAD software and topology optimization software as appropriate. Experience with modeling in PTC Creo 10 is preferred, but not required.
  • Effectively and cooperatively work as a team member of an integrated project team, or as a technical lead for a multi-discipline task
  • Conduct analysis and simulations (FEA, MBD, etc.)
  • Perform walkdowns of existing facilities and equipment
  • Attend/witness factory acceptance testing of equipment
  • Troubleshoot and resolve design issues during fabrication, installation, and site acceptance testing

What You Can Expect

  • Meaningful work and unique opportunities to support missions vital to national and global security
  • Top-notch, dedicated colleagues
  • Generous pay and benefits with a stable organization
  • Career advancement and professional development programs
  • Work-life balance fostered through flexible work options and wellness initiatives

Minimum Job Requirements

  • Bachelor of Science in [Electrical, Civil, Mechanical, or Chemical] Engineering from an Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited program in the United States or designated equivalents from Canada or Mexico, the Washington Accord, or the list of substantially equivalent as documented by ABET.
  • There is a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement up to 4 years post-graduation at time of offer and confirmed by transcript. Beyond four years from graduation, engineering experience will supersede GPA as a requirement for hire.
    • 3.0/4.0 minimum cumulative GPA for Bachelor degree
    • 3.3 minimum cumulative GPA for Master degree
    • 3.5 minimum cumulative GPA for PhD
  • In addition, the applicant must meet the requirements of DOE O 426.2A (i.e., Baccalaureate in engineering or related scientific major 2 years job-related, and 1-year nuclear experience; or a DOE O 426.2A alternative). DOE 426.2A experience requirements can be satisfied following employment. In the interim, newly hired personnel will not be assigned duties that could impact the safety basis of nuclear facilities. (Ref. DOE O 426.2A)
Preferred Job Requirements

  • Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from an Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited program in the United States or designated equivalents from Canada or Mexico, the Washington Accord, or the list of substantially equivalent as documented by ABET
  • 5 years of relevant engineering experience
  • A Professional Engineering (PE) License is preferred but not required
  • Experience in 3D CAD modeling (preferably PTC Creo) and machine design experience (preferably with gloveboxes, furnaces, high vacuum systems and metal casting/machining equipment)
  • Experience leading multi-discipline (i.e. mechanical, electrical, instrumentation/controls, HVAC, piping, welding, etc.) machine design efforts and producing build-to-print equipment fabrication packages, including fabrication drawings, specification, calculations, etc.
  • Experience with engineering calculations/analysis associated with machine design (i.e. finite element analysis, structural and seismic analysis, ergonomic studies, kinematic calculations, heat transfer calculations, etc.)
  • Experience writing equipment performance and fabrication specifications for specialty designed equipment
  • Knowledgeable in respective technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques
  • Demonstrated technical capabilities, leadership, and work ethic
  • Ability to work in a project team environment and communicate well with other disciplines, customers, and stakeholders
  • Ability to follow procedures and work within a rigorous work process
  • Ability to estimate, plan, and track progress for preparation of discipline deliverables
  • Good written and oral communications skills

Why Y-12?

You get #morethanajob. We encourage employees to achieve a healthy personal balance among home, work and the community. One of the ways we embrace work-life balance is by offering flexible work arrangements that provide alternatives to the traditional workweek, while still meeting business needs. Top talent and personal commitment mean more to our success than any other factors, so we reward our people with the kinds of benefits that make a positive difference in the quality of their lives. Benefits such as: medical plan, prescription drug plan, vision plan, dental plan, employer matched 401(k) savings plan, disability coverage, education reimbursement and many more. Want to stay healthy and fit but hate the cost of a gym membership? Take advantage of one of our onsite workout facilities and eat healthy in our onsite cafeterias. Much more than a workplace, at Y-12, you can build a career that lasts a lifetime.

Notes

The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired.

If a range of Career Levels is posted, i.e., Senior Associate to Senior Specialist, internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level.

Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.

This position may require entry into the Material Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (10 C.F.R. Part 712), which requires successful competition of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation and may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.

This position may be categorized as a “designated position” identified by 10 C.F.R. Part 709, requiring successful completion of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation that may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.

CNS is a drug-free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening and background investigation. As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to being randomly selected for drug testing without advance notification.

CNS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability or veteran status.

Salary.com Estimation for Mechanical Engineer in Oak Ridge, TN
$84,911 to $102,564
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