Senior Mechanical Engineer - Pulsed Power
Job Description
About Zap Energy
Zap is advancing the next generation of nuclear power technology across fusion, fission and hybrid applications. Built on an integrated platform of high-energy-density physics and pulsed power, liquid metals and advanced materials, and compact, modular systems, Zap is building the foundational technologies needed to deploy the energy sources of the future.
About the Opportunity
As a Senior Mechanical Engineer on our Fusion Pulsed Power team, you'll contribute to the mechanical design of high-voltage pulsed power systems from concept through fabrication and integration. You'll work closely with electrical, plasma, and systems engineers to develop hardware that operates at the edge of what's physically possible.
Role Responsibilities
Design pulsed power systems, subassemblies, enclosures, structural components, electrical bus work, pneumatics, and tooling and integration hardware
Translate design requirements into mechanical hardware that meets functional, spatial, safety, and operational constraints
Produce complete SolidWorks part, assembly, and drawing packages with detailed instructions and GD&T callouts appropriate to function and manufacturability
Iterate and update designs based on redlines and feedback from manufacturing and operations
Own design decisions around material selection, fastener torque specifications, and tolerance stack-ups
Apply DFM and DFA methodologies to meet schedules and enable rapid, in-house builds
Compile information on and present your designs concisely for design reviews
Provide substantive technical feedback on other engineers' designs, both within and outside the Pulsed Power team
Perform formal drawing review redlines as part of the release process
Collaborate across electrical, controls, manufacturing, and systems engineering disciplines to resolve interface and integration challenges
Provide mentorship to junior level engineers on the team
Qualifications and Skills
Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering field required
7+ years of mechanical engineering experience with a strong hands-on track record
Strong SolidWorks proficiency in parts, assemblies, drawings, and PDM
Practical working knowledge of GD&T (ASME Y14.5)
Experience designing for high-voltage environments; pulsed power, or energy storage is a strong bonus
Demonstrated ability to take designs from concept to fabricated hardware quickly
Experience collaborating through a work management system, such as Jira, to manage tasks including Engineering Change Requests and Quality Management System tickets
Confidence in making engineering decisions around materials, fastening, and structural adequacy
Experience with configuration management
Ability to perform first-order structural and mechanical load analyses; FEA experience is a bonus
Familiarity with designing for a variety of manufacturing processes including sheet metal work, welding, water jet cutting, CNC machining, 3D printing, and other standard machine shop equipment
Demonstrated technical communication skills for a variety of audiences including other mechanical engineers, engineers and scientists of other disciplines, technicians, project managers, vendors, and executives
Employment may be conditioned upon the ability to obtain export authorization.
Estimated salary range: $120,000-180,000 annually. Candidates may be considered for other positions at Zap Energy and actual salary will be based on relevant education, experience, and other qualifications. Range is published in accordance with Washington Equal Pay and Opportunity Act.
Zap Energy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.
