Job Description

RCS Staffing is placing a Senior Mechanical Designer with our Client in Wilmington, NC. This is a contract, full-time, on-site opportunity on a first-of-a-kind uranium enrichment technology program. You will take engineering concepts and requirements all the way to release-ready CAD models, manufacturing drawings, assemblies, and BOMs — working shoulder-to-shoulder with engineers, machinists, fabricators, and test personnel on highly specialized separator/cascade and UF₆ gas handling systems.

OVERVIEW OF YOUR ROLE

Reporting to the Mechanical Engineering Manager, you will lead detailed mechanical design activities for critical nuclear process equipment. You will own the full design cycle — from concept translation through parametric 3D modeling, tolerance analysis, drawing production, and configuration control — and coordinate design work across multiple contributors. This role operates in a classified, NRC-regulated environment and requires both technical depth and the ability to communicate and collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, assembly, and test teams.

YOU WILL

• Develop detailed mechanical designs from engineering concepts, requirements, and design inputs — producing complex 3D CAD assemblies using advanced top-down and parametric modeling techniques.
• Produce manufacturing drawings, assembly drawings, bills of material, and complete design documentation packages ready for release.
• Apply ASME Y14.5 GD&T principles and perform tolerance stack-up evaluations to ensure fit, function, and manufacturability.
• Resolve packaging, interface, fit-up, access, and manufacturability issues in close coordination with responsible engineers.
• Review and check CAD models and drawings for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with design standards.
• Coordinate detailed design activities across multiple designers; support design reviews and CAD standards enforcement.
• Work directly with engineers, machinists, fabricators, suppliers, and assembly/test personnel to resolve design and fabrication issues in real time.
• Support prototype assembly, installation, testing, and design modifications based on lessons learned in the field.
• Maintain configuration control, manage design release, and uphold model structure and drawing practices.
• Mentor junior designers on CAD methods, drawing practices, and design quality.

YOU ARE THE IDEAL CANDIDATE IF YOU HAVE

• 10+ years of mechanical design experience with demonstrated ability to independently develop detailed mechanical solutions.
• Advanced proficiency with 3D CAD (complex assemblies, top-down design, parametric modeling).
• Strong command of ASME Y14.5 geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, including tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Hands-on experience creating manufacturing drawings, assembly drawings, and bills of material.
• Working knowledge of machining, fabrication, assembly, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with configuration control and design release processes.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills — you're equally effective with engineers, machinists, and fabricators.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an NRC Q-Clearance and nuclear site access (required for this position).

IT'S A BONUS IF YOU HAVE

• Active NRC Q-Clearance — candidates with an active clearance will be prioritized.
• Experience developing first-of-a-kind R&D or prototype equipment.
• Experience with process equipment, gas handling systems, or similar specialized mechanical hardware.
• Experience supporting fabrication, assembly, installation, and testing through commissioning.
• Experience mentoring designers and coordinating work across multiple contributors.
• Prior experience working in nuclear, classified, or highly regulated environments.

ABOUT OUR CLIENT

Our client is a nuclear technology company developing and commercializing a first-of-a-kind laser-based uranium enrichment process at their Wilmington, NC facility. The program represents a significant advancement in domestic nuclear fuel production technology, supporting U.S. energy security and the next generation of clean energy supply. Engineers and designers on this program work on highly specialized, mission-critical equipment in a classified, NRC-regulated environment — the kind of technically challenging, meaningful work that is genuinely rare in the industry.

WHO WE ARE

RCS Staffing is a certified Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) specializing in the recruitment of professionals for best-of-class companies throughout the United States. Since 1994, RCS recruits top talent for direct hire, temp-to-perm and contract staffing positions and provides customized payroll services. Our Recruiting Specialties consist of all Engineering Disciplines, Project Management, Project Controls, Information Technology, Energy Efficiency and Business Professionals.

RCS is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. RCS recruits, hires, and promotes for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, disability, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, genetic information or age. All terms and conditions of employment such as compensation, benefits, work assignment, availability of facilities and privileges of employment are administered on the same basis of equality.