Senior Mechanical Engineer

Closing Date:  01/11/2024

Locations: Manchester / Gloucester

About newcleo

Since launching in 2021 newcleo has quickly established itself as innovator in the field of nuclear energy. newcleo is working to design, build, and operate Gen-IV Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) that are cooled by liquid lead and fueled by reprocessed nuclear waste.
 
Through an innovative combination of existing and proven technologies, and by reviving a nuclear industry model based on the manufacture and multi-recycling of Mixed Oxide fuel, newcleo aims to close the nuclear fuel cycle while safely producing clean, affordable, and practically inexhaustible energy required for low carbon economies.
 
With a EUR 50m group turnover in 2024, more than EUR 400m of private funding and over 70 partnerships and collaborations across the nuclear industry, the growth of the newcleo group is supported through the targeted acquisition of key companies with strong capabilities in nuclear engineering, manufacturing, and waste management.
 
Through its workforce of over 800 highly qualified employees across France, the UK, Italy, Switzerland, and Slovakia, newcleo is not only developing and delivering the skills and services required for the group’s own ambitious project timelines, but also supporting the development of Small Modular Reactor supply chains in Europe and beyond.
 
Overview of the role:

Due to continued expansion, we are looking to speak with Mechanical Engineers at all levels of seniority (Principal / Senior / Engineer / Junior) to join our team!

newcleo is developing the design of both the AS-30 Lead-cooled Fast Reactor (LFR), a 30 MWe demonstrator reactor to be deployed in France, and the AS-200 LFR, a 200 MWe reactor which will be the first commercial unit intended to be deployed in the UK. Your role will focus on developing the design of a range of mechanical component designs for both the AS-30 and AS-200 Nuclear Island. 
 
You will be responsible for developing the design of the allocated mechanical systems, structures and components, which are currently in the basic design phase. At this stage, your work will focus on defining the functional, performance and safety requirements of the system(s) and then performing feasibility studies, optioneering and down-selection to identify the optimum system configuration. As the project progresses, you will then be responsible for further developing the design, in line with the agreed project milestones.

In particular, this role will focus on mechanical engineering design and development for pressure retaining equipment and specialised components capable of operating in a liquid lead environment. This will involve close cooperation with our R&D team to ensure our design and verification and validation activities remain aligned and the necessary test outputs will be produced to underpin the mechanical systems, structures and components designs.

Reporting to our Head of Unit, the key duties of the role include:

• Ensuring the execution of design activities in accordance with best engineering practices.
• Developing the mechanical design of pressure equipment and bespoke mechanical components/mechanisms, from initial concept definition to completion of detailed design.
• Reviewing the 3D model interfaces within a BIM context and PLM system.
• Defining the methodologies for stress analysis of pressure equipment or bespoke mechanical components/mechanism according to the applicable construction code by using Finite Element Modelling.
• Contributing to the purchasing of technical documentation for component supply.
• Assessing and aligning manufacturer bids for the supply of equipment.
• Participating in kick-off meetings, review meetings, design meetings and studies.
• Ensuring that equipment manufacturers are delivering in accordance with the defined design and manage non-conformities. Supervise expediting.
• Confirming the technical accuracy of engineering documents when delegated by the Line Manager 
• Contributing to the development and update of Newcleo’s General Specifications and standard procedures in the discipline.
• Collaborating with multi-disciplinary engineering teams.
• Coordinating the assigned work with other technical personnel as directed.
• Participating and fostering a work environment that is based upon openness, trust, communication, teamwork, empowerment, innovation, and satisfaction.

This role will offer opportunities for development & progression towards management or expert activities depending on your career motivations. But don’t just take our word for it, below is a testimonial from one of our employees around their experience since joining newcleo:

“Two things attracted me to newcleo – I was excited to get involved with a new nuclear development from its early stages and to use my previous experience to help shape the culture and direction of the organisation, and having spent my career working on Pressurised Water Reactor designs I was intrigued by the LFR technology and the opportunity to work on something truly novel in the nuclear energy sector. Since joining, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some really talented people on a range of technical challenges associated with making our LFR technology a reality and also bringing it to market. I’ve also had the opportunity to learn a huge amount from the vast range of experience that newcleo has brought together to deliver its LFR and MOX projects. For me, I really believe newcleo offers a fantastic opportunity for experienced nuclear professionals to build their existing skills on a project which is unique in the UK nuclear industry and to be at the forefront of the design and licensing of Generation IV nuclear technology in the UK.”

The role can be based in our Manchester or Gloucester offices, where we have a hybrid & flexible working policy of 3 days per week in the office. There is also travel opportunities to our offices in Turin (Italy) and Lyon (France), in order to collaborate and build strong working relationships across our Global Engineering Team.

Is this role right for you?

We would like to speak to people who have:

• Experience of engineering aspects related to design, fabrication, and assembly of a pressure-retaining components.
• Experience in the application of specific construction codes (e.g., ASME, RCC-MRx and/or EURO codes).
• Typically a degree in Nuclear, Mechanical or Mechatronic Engineering or equivalent
• Good Knowledge of ANSYS Mechanical and Multiphysics for Structural Analysis purpose.
• Good knowledge of SolidWorks for 3D/2D Modelling is a benefit
• Experience in a nuclear or other highly regulated environments and good understanding of safety aspects would also be an advantage.
• Extensive knowledge of QA systems and their practical application.
• Demonstrable experience one or more of the following fields:
  • • Mechanical components design and manufacturing
    • Manufacturing and assembly of large mechanical components / equipment
    • Design components/mechanism for industrial applications

Please note if you meet some but not all the requirements above, we would still been really keen to hear from you!

If you are not ready to apply just yet, or have a few questions? Contact Cameron Emerson at Cameron.emerson@newcleo.com

Please note, all applications will need to be made via our online portal to be compliant with GDPR.