Dark Fission Space Systems provided pay rangeThis range is provided by Dark Fission Space Systems. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.Base pay range$120,000.00/yr - $150,000.00/yrAdditional compensation typesRSUsPosition NarrativeWe are looking for individuals with a unique combination of talent, experience and imagination who also believe in our vision and will commit to help make it a reality. We are seeking a Mechanical and Materials Engineer to help us validate our patented design for our nuclear thermal rocket engine's critical piece of technology, its fuel element. Our ideal candidate is an energetic and enthusiastic problem solver, applying their experience with high-temperature materials in extreme operating environments. In this role, your principal objective will be to rapidly and iteratively conceive, develop, and evaluate fuel element designs that meet or exceed the most demanding performance requirements found within the heart of a fission reactor. This is a full-time position located in Loudoun County, Virginia, with occasional travel to vendors and other development partners within the United States.Compensation, Work Schedule and BenefitsBase salary range: $120,000 - $150,000 annualHybrid work schedule negotiable, but no fewer than 20 hours per week on siteFull medical and dental insurance coverageSignificant equity stake in our rapidly growing companyA typical day might include the following:Serving as the subject matter expert for the implementation of high-temperature materials (refractory metals, ceramics, carbides) in highly engineered solutions operating in extreme environments (temperature, pressure and vibration)Helping stand up and lead a small, dedicated team of designers, analysts, manufacturing personnel and technicians to design, produce and test a variety of fuel element prototypesLeading and performing trade studies, detailed design tasks and material analyses for fuel element containment and associated structuresProvide detailed performance analyses with recommendations and associated risk analysesProduce detailed 3D CAD and 2D drawings as part of a technical data packageProduce test article manufacturing and material specifications; engage vendors and partners to translate specifications into producible and testable prototypesCollaborate with the company's test team to produce test specifications, plans, procedures and equipment packages to ensure successful completion of test campaignsCo-chair test readiness reviews for fuel element components and assemblies; produce after-action reports, and support failure investigations as requiredProduce final test reports that inform future design iterations and affect overall reactor performance predictionsSupport the definition of engine development roadmaps, with consideration to performance, cost and schedule risksContribute to interdisciplinary projects to assess impacts of changes in fuel element designs and associated performance across other engine systemsSupport chief systems engineer when changes to vehicle performance and launch operations are being consideredLead and mentor junior design staff in deployment of design best practicesThis job might be for you if you have these:B.S. in Aerospace/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or equivalent3+ Years of directly relevant experience in the utilization of high-temperature materials in highly engineered solutions operating in extreme environments3+ years of experience in the use of 3D CAD tools (e.g. NX, Solidworks, CATIA, etc.)Experience in the use of additive manufacturing materials and processes for aluminum, steel, refractory metals and ceramicsExperience with one or more structural/FEA or thermal modeling tools (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN, Thermal Desktop, MINIVER, etc.).Experience generating material and test specifications for use by vendors and test personnelExperience leading small groups of engineers, technologists and operators in the execution of a product development or test campaignAbility to travel