Principal Mechanical Engineer

Title: Principal Mechanical Engineer – Extreme Environment Systems

Location: Seattle, WA / San Leandro, CA / Knoxville, TN

Salary: $165,000 – $220,000 + Executive Equity + Relocation Package

The Opportunity:

If you are a recognized technical authority in structural mechanics, vacuum systems, or pressure boundary design, this is your opportunity to lead the mechanical architecture for a historic energy demonstration project.

Backed by world-class tech investors and major hyperscaler energy deals, our client is building the next generation of baseload power infrastructure.

What You’ll Do:

• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for high-vacuum, high-pressure, or high-radiation structural boundary components.
• Lead structural mechanics calculations, fatigue analysis, and safety-margin determinations for custom vessels.
• Direct external engineering vendors and EPC partners on major procurement and fabrication packages.
• Mentor junior and mid-level mechanical engineers across cross-functional program teams.

What We’re Looking For:

• 10+ years of technical leadership in heavy industrial, aerospace, subsea, or nuclear hardware.
• Deep mastery of UHV (Ultra-High Vacuum) design OR ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (Section VIII / Section III).
• Proven track record of delivering flight-critical or plant-critical hardware through formal design reviews (PDR/CDR).
• Advanced expertise in non-linear FEA, creep analysis, or weld joint design under intense cyclical stress.