Design Engineer Manager Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

This role provides mechanical engineering support for the design and development of high‑reliability mechanical systems, with a primary focus on valves and valve systems for gas piping and pressurized steam generator systems, specifically helium circulation. You will take concepts from early development through analysis, prototyping, testing, and into production, ensuring all systems, structures, and components perform their intended function and meet technical specifications and requirements. This position offers the opportunity to work on cutting‑edge clean energy technologies within a growing, well‑funded organization.

Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical and physical concepts and support the development of processes to create or identify structures, systems, and components for use in high‑reliability, safety‑focused products and facilities.
• Identify, collect, and document applicable requirements, interfaces, design bases, and criteria by coordinating with key stakeholders and systems engineers, and by identifying applicable industry codes and standards.
• Plan and perform analyses of structures and systems to verify that they can perform their intended functions and meet all technical specifications and design requirements.
• Perform engineering computations using hand calculations and analytical tools for structural, thermal, hydraulic, and other scoping calculations as directed by project leads and systems engineers.
• Develop innovative mechanical solutions to refine and deploy concepts, technologies, and designs for mechanical systems including valves, pressure vessels and piping, electromechanical systems and sensors, mechatronics and automation systems, and components using exotic and high‑temperature materials such as graphite and advanced alloys.
• Integrate design activities across internal engineering team members, partners, and suppliers, and perform scoping and sizing calculations to down‑select design features that satisfy design requirements using guidance from consensus codes and standards.
• Create and maintain CAD‑generated engineering models and associated design data throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Support assessments of mechanical systems for manufacturability, assembly, and integration considerations, collaborating closely with project leads and manufacturing teams.
• Write and develop design documentation, including design basis documents, technical reports, calculations, and drawings in accordance with applicable procedures.
• Develop Verification and Validation (V&V) plans for analytical tools and support qualification of the analytical toolset.
• Perform work in accordance with quality procedures for design and configuration management to ensure project quality requirements are consistently met.
• Provide independent reviews and acceptance reviews of engineering deliverables and data to support robust design decisions.
• Exercise hardware ownership, including oversight of manufacturing and testing activities, to ensure that developed hardware meets design intent and performance requirements.
• Maintain a professional demeanor and clear, respectful communication in all interactions and forms of correspondence.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline such as aerospace, nuclear, or chemical engineering from an accredited institution.
• 5–15 years of experience in mechanical engineering, mechanical design, or closely related fields.
• Hands‑on experience with actual hardware and the full product development lifecycle through to production or fabrication, ideally at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 or higher and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) 5 or 6 or higher.
• Demonstrated experience with valve design, including gas valves and gas piping systems; experience with check valve design for helium circulation or similar applications is strongly preferred.
• Experience designing and developing complex mechanical or fluid systems, assemblies, or components, such as valves, gas piping, and pressurized systems.
• At least two years of experience developing and delivering hardware or manufacturing processes in a production environment.
• Proficiency with engineering hand calculations for structural, thermal, hydraulic, and related analyses.
• Experience with Design by Analysis, finite element analysis (FEA) workflows, and mechanical analysis to support design decisions.
• Experience working with high‑pressure vessels, fluid systems, reactors, boilers, gas turbines, combustion systems, rocket propulsion systems, heat exchangers, steam‑driven systems, thermal systems, or advanced mechanical mechanisms.
• Experience in a highly regulated industry such as aerospace, medical devices, automotive, propulsion/rocketry, defense electronics, or similar fields.
• Proficiency in Computer‑Aided Design (CAD) and product lifecycle management (PLM) software such as UG/NX, SolidWorks, CREO/Pro‑Engineer, Teamcenter, Windchill, or comparable tools.
• Ability to perform work in accordance with formal quality procedures for design and configuration management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for preparing technical reports, design documentation, and participating in design reviews.

• Experience with nuclear applications or nuclear‑related mechanical systems.
• Familiarity with design, qualification, licensing, and construction to Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section III and/or Section VIII.
• Experience with regulatory frameworks and licensing for safety‑related systems, including familiarity with nuclear regulatory requirements.
• Experience designing to Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, piping codes such as B31.1 or B31.3, and other relevant industry standards.
• Background in materials engineering, including work with graphite structures, crystallography, heat transfer, and heat exchanger design.
• Experience with mechanical process equipment, including piping, ducting, HVAC, fire suppression systems, pumps, pressure vessels, valves, and structural supports, including selection, sizing, and specification.
• Experience integrating electromechanical systems, sensors, and mechatronics or automation systems into mechanical designs.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross‑functional teams, external partners, and suppliers to integrate and optimize designs.
• Strong problem‑solving mindset and ability to develop innovative solutions for high‑reliability, safety‑critical applications.

This position is based in an office environment that supports detailed engineering design and analysis work. You will primarily use modern engineering tools, including CAD and PLM systems, analytical and FEA software, and standard office productivity applications. Work involves close collaboration with other engineers, project leads, and external partners, with periodic interaction with manufacturing and testing teams as designs move toward production. The organization is growing rapidly and is focused on cutting‑edge clean energy systems development, backed by significant long‑term investment and plans to expand substantially over the next several years. The culture emphasizes technical excellence, rigorous quality processes, safety, and professional communication in a collaborative, innovation‑driven setting. Typical attire is standard professional or business‑casual office dress suitable for an engineering environment, with additional safety gear as required when visiting manufacturing or test facilities.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rockville, MD.

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $85.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Rockville,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 10, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.