Principal Engineer, Mechanical - Nuclear

Location: Stonington, CT or Charlotte, NC
Travel: Approximately 10–25%
Schedule: Full-Time

About Zachry Nuclear Engineering
Zachry Nuclear Engineering (ZNE), a division of Zachry Group, provides engineering and technical consulting services to the commercial nuclear power industry. Our engineers support some of the nation's most critical energy infrastructure through the delivery of complex engineering solutions, plant modernization initiatives, digital transformation efforts, and technical consulting services.

At Zachry, we are committed to technical excellence, client success, and developing innovative solutions that support the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of nuclear facilities. As the nuclear industry continues to evolve—including advancements in plant modernization and emerging technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)—our engineers play a critical role in shaping the future of clean, reliable energy.

We are seeking a Principal Engineer, Mechanical to provide technical leadership and expertise across major client programs, strategic engineering initiatives, and complex nuclear engineering challenges.

Position Summary
The Principal Engineer serves as a senior technical leader and recognized subject matter expert within Zachry Nuclear Engineering. This position provides technical leadership for complex mechanical engineering projects supporting commercial nuclear power generation facilities and serves as a trusted technical advisor to both clients and internal engineering teams.

The successful candidate will possess advanced expertise in mechanical engineering principles and nuclear plant systems and will apply sound engineering judgment to solve complex technical challenges. This individual will work with significant independence while leading major engineering efforts, supporting strategic client initiatives, mentoring developing engineers, and contributing to organizational growth through proposal development and technical planning activities.

The Principal Engineer is expected to represent Zachry professionally with clients, industry organizations, and project stakeholders while maintaining awareness of emerging industry trends, technologies, regulatory developments, and engineering best practices.

Education Required

Experience Required

• Minimum fifteen (15) years of relevant engineering experience with an active Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Demonstrated commercial nuclear power experience involving the modification (SDP), design, analysis, operation, maintenance, or evaluation of nuclear plant mechanical systems and equipment.
Experience leading complex engineering projects, providing technical oversight, and serving as a technical resource for multidisciplinary teams.

Required Licensure

• Professional Engineer (PE) license is strongly preferred and expected for candidates pursuing the Principal Engineer level.
Candidates without a PE license may be considered only if they possess a minimum of twenty (20) years of directly relevant engineering experience and can demonstrate expertise consistent with Engineer VI expectations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• Expertise in one or more specialized areas including:
  • Pipe Stress Analysis
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
  • ASME Section III Code
  • ASME Section VIII Code
  • PEPSE
  • Safety Analysis
  • Mechanical design and evaluation of nuclear plant systems
• Experience supporting major nuclear utility clients.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering programs or large project teams.
• Active participation in professional organizations, technical committees, standards groups, or industry conferences.
Experience supporting proposal development and business growth initiatives.

Additional Requirements

• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong time-management and organizational skills with the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to pass security and drug screening requirements and maintain unescorted access to commercial nuclear power facilities.
• Ability to travel to client sites and support periods of field and office work.
• Ability to perform plant walkdowns in industrial environments, including
• climbing ladders, accessing security-controlled areas, and entering confined or controlled-access areas.
Ability to understand and comply with company policies, procedures, and processes.

Export Control Notice
Certain positions at Zachry Nuclear Engineering may involve access to information and technology subject to export controls under U.S. law. If applicable to the position, a candidate's ability to comply with such laws will be taken into consideration during the hiring process.