Lead Piping Stress Engineer 1 - Nuclear
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : Wilmington, DE, 19801
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 30 December 2025
Description
Piping Engineering & Analysis Synopsis
The Piping Engineering & Analysis discipline performs evaluations for piping systems in accordance with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, ASME B31.1, ASME B31.7, and other codes as applicable to thespecific evaluation being performed. The Piping Engineering & Analysis discipline also performs the following specialty topics.
- Vibration monitoring and analysis to evaluate system operational vibrations associated with plant modifications and operating events, and to provide vibration prevention and mitigation solutions and designs.
- Evaluation of hydraulic transients, evaluation of piping systems for thermal stratification effects, operability evaluations, and qualification of piping for hydrodynamic loads.
- Pipe rupture evaluations, evaluation of pipe wall thinning due to flow accelerated corrosion (FAC) or microbiological induced corrosion (MIC), and pipe flaw evaluations.
Position Specific Details
Provides senior level technical direction and supervision to the project team members in his/her discipline. Establishes project task schedules and budgets for his/her discipline to meet overall project requirements. Coordinates activities between disciplines. Is responsible for successful completion of project deliverables to meet all technical, quality, and project controls expectations. Serves as a technical liaison with the client and a lead technical resource on projects.
Lead engineers support engineering design projects with the following responsibilities:
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- Reviews complex calculations and approves simple calculations. Provides technical guidance to project team members. Ensures that calculations are technically sound and in accordance with project requirements.
- Reviews and approves simple system/structural designs and prepares and reviews complex system/structural designs to ensure completeness, accuracy, quality, constructability, and operability.
- Performs engineering review of drawings. Reviews design input for complex system/structures. Defines client expectations for drawings. Coordinates interface between design and engineering. Actively participates in design reviews to ensure quality, constructability, and operability.
- Prepares and reviews major system, installation, and material specifications. Defines technical and commercial requirements, including scheduling of vendor submittals needed for design input.
- Prepares bid evaluations for complex systems and installation scopes. Participates in bid negotiations with vendors. May evaluate change orders on behalf of the client.
- Prepares and reviews single-discipline, complex reports/studies. Participates in the preparation of multi-discipline reports. Reviews studies and reports to ensure that conclusions are technically sound, cost-effective, and clearly communicated.
This position is based on a hybrid work schedule and will require in-office work 3 days per week.
Qualifications
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Required Skills and Experience:
- BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Aerospace, or Structural/Civil Engineering, from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program, with an emphasis in solid mechanics, structural analysis, theory of elasticity, metallurgy, and finite element analysis
- 10 or more years of relevant experience
- Extensive knowledge of ASME B31.1 and ASME B&PV Section III piping codes
- Knowledge of the design, selection, and application of pipe supporting elements
- Working knowledge of commercially available piping products and their application
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
Valued but Not Required Skills and Experience:
- The ability to navigate a 3D CAD model
- P.E. license
- Experience with AutoPIPE or PIPESTRESS software
- Knowledge of gas dynamics and hydraulic transients
- Knowledge of pipe condition assessment
- Experience with ANSYS Workbench and Mechanical ADP
Award-Winning Benefits
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
Compensation Range
$116,620.00 - $179,890.00Transparency Statement
Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.About This Business Unit
Join Sargent & Lundy's Nuclear Power Group and be part of a team driving the future of clean, carbon-free energy. Since 1954, we’ve been a trusted leader in nuclear engineering, design, and licensing, with expertise spanning small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced reactor technology (ART), and first-of-a-kind commercial reactor restart projects. Our work supports life extensions and digital modernization of existing nuclear plants, coal-to-nuclear conversion initiatives with the Department of State, and international nuclear new-build projects. With a commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainability, we provide cutting-edge solutions that power communities worldwide while reducing emissions. Shape the future of global energy with us!
Awards & Recognition
Equal Opportunity
Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.
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Frequently asked questions
In Wilmington, DE, a Piping Stress Engineer 1 specializing in nuclear systems plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of piping infrastructure on nuclear plants. Their expertise directly supports compliance with ASME codes, helping local nuclear facilities meet stringent regulatory standards and operational demands.
While not always mandatory, professional engineering (PE) licensure and familiarity with ASME B31.1 and B&PV Section III codes greatly enhance a piping stress engineer's profile in Delaware's nuclear industry. Such credentials demonstrate mastery of local regulatory frameworks and improve job competitiveness.
Lead engineers must excel in complex structural design reviews, hydraulic transient evaluations, and vibration analysis, surpassing junior roles by guiding teams, approving critical calculations, and ensuring operability within nuclear-grade piping systems. Mastery of software like AutoPIPE or ANSYS Workbench is often expected.
Professionals often progress toward senior engineering leadership, specializing in nuclear plant lifecycle management, or pivot into project management roles overseeing multi-disciplinary teams. Enhanced skills in regulatory compliance and digital modernization technologies can accelerate advancement.
At Sargent & Lundy, Lead Piping Stress Engineers drive technical excellence by coordinating cross-discipline efforts, setting budgets, and liaising with clients. Their role is pivotal in delivering high-quality, regulation-compliant designs that support the company’s commitment to clean energy innovation.
Engineers must balance rigorous ASME code adherence with project timelines and hybrid work schedules. Navigating complex vendor negotiations and multi-disciplinary design reviews while ensuring constructability and operability of nuclear piping systems reflects the role’s demanding nature at Sargent & Lundy.
Salaries typically range from $116,620 to $179,890 annually for this role in Wilmington, reflecting the specialized skills and seniority required in nuclear piping stress analysis. Compensation packages often include performance bonuses and comprehensive benefits.
The hybrid schedule requires engineers to efficiently split time between onsite collaboration and remote tasks. This approach fosters direct engagement during critical design reviews while allowing focused work on complex calculations and reports from home, optimizing productivity.
A frequent misunderstanding is that this role only involves routine calculations; in reality, it demands high-level problem solving, leading multidisciplinary coordination, and applying advanced knowledge of vibration and hydraulic transients to safeguard nuclear plant integrity.
Wilmington offers a moderately competitive market due to its niche nuclear projects, with demand fueled by plant life extensions and modernization initiatives. However, competition remains intense among candidates with specialized ASME code expertise and nuclear experience.