Nuclear Design Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

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Amptek is seeking a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer to support the design, development, qualification, and manufacture of world-class X-ray and gamma-ray detection products. This role will focus on X-ray detectors and source technologies used in X-ray fluorescence (XRF), analytical instrumentation, industrial inspection, laboratory research, portable instrumentation, and nuclear and space applications.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in bringing new products from concept through production while supporting existing product lines and developing the manufacturing tooling and test fixtures required to ensure quality, reliability, and operational efficiency.

This position combines hands‑on engineering with analytical design work and requires close collaboration with manufacturing, operations, quality, supply chain, and electrical engineering teams in Bedford, MA.

Functional Allocation

• 30% New Product Introduction (NPI)
• 30% Manufacturing Test Fixture & Tooling Design
• 10% Technical Leadership Growth, Documentation, and Cross‑Functional Support

Key Responsibilities New Product Introduction (30%)

• Lead mechanical design efforts for next‑generation X‑ray source and detector products.
• Develop concepts, prototypes, and production‑ready designs for vacuum assemblies, pressure vessels, high‑voltage systems, radiation shielding, thermal management systems, and opto‑mechanical assemblies.
• Create 3D CAD models, detailed drawings, and engineering documentation.
• Perform tolerance analysis, Design for Manufacturability (DFM), and Design for Assembly (DFA) evaluations.
• Participate in product architecture reviews, design reviews, risk assessments, and FMEA activities.
• Support qualification testing including environmental, thermal, vibration, shock, life testing, and reliability verification.
• Drive product transfer from development into volume manufacturing.
• Provide technical ownership of released products and support ongoing production.
• Investigate and resolve field failures, customer returns, manufacturing issues, and supplier‑related problems.
• Lead root cause analyses and implement corrective actions.
• Manage engineering change orders (ECOs) and product improvements.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, improved reliability, manufacturability, and product performance.
• Support production yield improvement initiatives.
• Work directly with OEM customers and field application teams when advanced technical support is required.

Manufacturing Test Fixture & Tooling Design (30%)

• Design and develop manufacturing fixtures, production tooling, assembly aids, burn‑in systems, and test equipment.
• Create fixtures used for characterization, calibration, environmental testing, reliability testing, and manufacturing verification.
• Design mechanical systems for radiation‑safe test enclosures and automated test stations.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering to improve throughput, repeatability, and process capability.
• Support installation, validation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing equipment.
• Generate fixture documentation, work instructions, and validation reports.

Technical Leadership Growth & Collaboration (10%)

• Mentor junior engineers and technicians.
• Provide technical guidance across cross‑functional teams.
• Participate in project planning, scheduling, and resource estimation.
• Collaborate with engineering teams in Bedford and Finland and India.
• Support supplier qualification and vendor technical reviews.
• Maintain compliance with quality system and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering required.
• Minimum 8 years of mechanical engineering experience in product development and manufacturing environments.
• Experience bringing products from concept through production release.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Mechanical design principles
  • Materials selection
  • Thermal management
  • Structural design
  • Manufacturing processes
• Experience designing production tooling and test fixtures.
• Hands‑on prototyping and laboratory experience.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to use AI tools to improve productivity, decision‑marking, work quality, and to reduce costs.
  • The successful candidate must be able to identify appropriate AI use cases and critically evaluate AI‑generated outputs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience with X‑ray, gamma‑ray, vacuum, high‑voltage, or scientific instrumentation products.
• Knowledge of XRF, radiation detection, or spectroscopy systems.
• Experience with pressure vessels, vacuum systems, ceramic‑to‑metal assemblies, brazing, or hermetic packaging.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) experience for thermal and structural evaluations.
• Reliability engineering, HALT/HASS, ESS, and accelerated life testing experience.
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma knowledge.
• Familiarity with design controls, risk management, and regulated product development environments.

Success Metrics

The successful candidate will:

• Deliver new products on schedule and within budget.
• Improve manufacturing quality and throughput through effective tooling and fixture design.
• Reduce field and manufacturing failures through robust engineering solutions.
• Support achievement of product reliability, cost, and performance objectives.
• Contribute to maintaining Amptek's leadership position in high‑performance X‑ray and gamma‑ray detection technologies.

About Amptek

Amptek is a world leader in the design, development, manufacture, and sale of radiation detection components used in X-ray and gamma‑ray detection systems. Our technologies are used in analytical chemistry, laboratory instrumentation, portable XRF analyzers, industrial systems, nuclear research, and space exploration. The Bedford, Massachusetts facility collaborates closely with engineering and manufacturing teams in Finland to deliver industry‑leading detector and X-ray source solutions to OEM customers worldwide. Approximately 90% of Amptek's business is supplied through OEM partnerships, enabling our technology to be integrated into leading analytical instruments across the globe.

Disclaimer:Where a specific pay range is noted, it is a good faith estimate at the time of this posting. The actual salary offered will be based on experience, skills, qualifications, market / business considerations, and geographic location.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Individuals who need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process should call 1 (866) 263-8359.