Fluid Systems Engineer, Responsible Engineer

About This Role

As a Fluid Systems Engineer at General Matter, you are the Responsible Engineer for the fluid systems that move, store, and control the process fluids at the heart of our enrichment facility. You will set requirements and operating margins, choose the architecture, design and analyze the hardware, lead the first-article build, qualify it, and define how it is commissioned and operated. This is a rare chance to own operation-critical hardware end-to-end at a next-generation nuclear facility during rapid commercial scale-up, on work of national importance.

If you seek high impact and ownership, and are excited by fast-paced, intense, Skunkworks-style projects, we encourage you to apply to join our team.

Responsibilities

• Own the fluid system requirements: perform system-level sizing and performance analysis to establish requirements and operating margins and carry them through the life of the hardware.
• Design pressurized and unpressurized components and assemblies, producing original CAD models, drawings, and specifications.
• Conduct structural, mechanical, and thermal analysis to ensure survivability under pressure, thermal, and operational loads.
• Serve as the design owner for fluid hardware in the facility safety basis, supporting the Integrated Safety Analysis and the safety functions of any IROFS your systems provide.
• Lead internal and external design reviews with cross-functional partners, suppliers, and stakeholders, and defend your design and your data.
• Drive design-for-manufacturability improvements to enable efficient, repeatable production.
• Lead first-article builds and work directly with manufacturing teams to establish robust production processes and stay with the hardware through production ramp.
• Plan and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing for critical hardware, and own the results.
• Define the concept of operations for your systems, from commissioning and acceptance testing through steady-state operation.
• Own your systems after they are running: resolve nonconformances, drive design changes through change control, and feed operational lessons back into the next design.

Basic Qualifications

• Evidence of exceptional ability (prior projects, portfolio of work, completed products, etc.)
• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or a related field.
• +2-5 years of experience designing, analyzing, or testing fluid systems (e.g., pressurized systems, piping/tubing, valves, pumps, or related hardware)
• Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearance and access authorization.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience owning operation-critical hardware from concept through production, ideally as a Responsible Engineer or equivalent single point of accountability.
• Experience with gas dynamics, thermal analysis, and finite element analysis (FEA).
• Hands-on experience with pressurized systems (e.g., valves, regulators, piping, tubing, pressure vessels), though not limited to them.
• Proficiency with FEA tools and CAD software.
• Experience in fast-paced, resource-constrained environments such as early-stage hardware, new-space, or defense hard-tech companies.
• Prior experience with nuclear, DOE, national lab, or NRC-licensed facilities, or with other regulated, safety-critical systems.
• Comfortable working across disciplines with manufacturing, safety, and operations teams.
• Strong communication, organization, and technical leadership skills.

Additional Requirements

Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.

Compensation and Benefits

The base salary range for this role is $100,000-$175,000 annually.

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. Please note that the stated salary range is an estimate and may be adjusted based on market conditions, business needs, or other factors.

In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.