Mechanical Designer

About the role

General Matter enriches uranium. We are designing, building, and operating the world's lowest-cost enrichment services, here in the US. In the process, we are restoring America's ability to produce nuclear fuel to power AI, advanced manufacturing and critical industries our country relies on to remain competitive. Fuel drives the cost of advanced reactor electricity production, and enrichment drives the cost of the fuel that advanced reactors consume. Reliable, low-cost enrichment is the catalyst for the nuclear Renaissance now under way. Our mission is to make nuclear not only the cleanest and safest source of baseload power, but also the most affordable. We believe abundant nuclear energy will lead to a post-scarcity society. We were incubated inside Founders Fund, like Anduril and Palantir before us, and are backed by over a dozen of the world's top venture capital firms. Our lean, world-class team of engineers and operators is applying a first-principles approach to solving the problem of nuclear fuel production. You will own the development and maintenance of the 3D CAD model for piping and mechanical systems in a complex nuclear enrichment facility. This role emphasizes detailed routing, spatial integration, and layout optimization, ensuring designs are accurate, constructible, and coordinated across disciplines. You will translate design intent into precise, model-centric layouts while maintaining strict alignment with process and mechanical specifications. The ideal candidate brings strong plant design software expertise and a commitment to producing accurate, constructible models. You will play a key role in enabling our mission-driven culture of urgency, accountability, and transparency.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Own and maintain the 3D CAD model for piping and mechanical systems, ensuring alignment with process and mechanical specifications.
• Develop, update, and maintain piping component libraries, data attributes, tagging, and system standards to ensure consistency between P&IDs, 3D models, and documentation.
• Perform detailed routing of pipes, valves, specialty components, and supports, considering space constraints, accessibility, maintainability, and constructability.
• Coordinate with structural, HVAC, and electrical systems to avoid clashes and optimize layouts.
• Conduct clash detection and interdisciplinary model reviews using plant design tools.
• Produce isometric drawings, general arrangement drawings, spool sheets, and installation documentation for fabrication and construction.
• Define spool breaks and support modular construction where applicable.
• Collaborate with engineers to ensure design intent, constructability, and field installation requirements are incorporated.
• Maintain as-built documentation and update models throughout the project lifecycle.
• Interpret P&IDs and specifications to generate accurate 3D models that reflect real-world constraints.
• Apply systematic checks to validate component selection, routing paths, and compliance with industry standards.
• Support design reviews by preparing model extracts, views, and annotations for stakeholder communication.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of modeling standards, libraries, and best practices.
• Assist in the integration of new technologies and tools that enhance modeling efficiency and accuracy.
• Partner with fabrication and construction teams to resolve layout issues and improve field execution.
• Provide technical guidance to less experienced designers and interns on model development and documentation.
• Track design iterations and version control to ensure integrity of the CAD environment.
• Support the development of constructability packages that streamline on-site installation.
• Participate in interdisciplinary coordination meetings to align mechanical systems with overall project objectives.
• Maintain awareness of project schedules and dependencies to support timely delivery of design deliverables.

Requirements

• Associate's degree or equivalent experience in Mechanical Design, Drafting, or related field.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience modeling piping systems in 3D plant design platforms.
• Proficiency with plant design software (e.g., AutoCAD Plant 3D, AVEVA E3D, SmartPlant 3D, CADWorx, or similar).
• Strong understanding of piping systems, mechanical components, and industrial layout principles.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs and specifications into accurate 3D models.
• Experience producing piping isometrics, general arrangement drawings, and fabrication documentation.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship for this role.
• Capacity to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.
• Commitment to maintaining safety, quality, and schedule in a mission-driven nuclear environment.
• Willingness to adhere to company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Focus on accuracy, constructability, and coordination within multidisciplinary teams.
• Professional communication skills to interface effectively with engineering, procurement, and field teams.
• Reliability and ownership of assigned responsibilities in a fast-paced setting.
• Alignment with General Matter's culture of urgency, accountability, and transparency.

Nice to have

• Experience in nuclear, chemical, petrochemical, or other complex industrial facilities.
• Familiarity with spec-driven piping, automated part selection, and component catalogs.
• Knowledge of piping line numbering, tagging systems, and engineering data attributes.
• Experience modeling pipe supports, equipment connections, and maintenance clearances in dense layouts.
• Familiarity with model coordination and clash detection tools (e.g., Navisworks).
• Understanding of fabrication and field installation practices, including spool breaks and field fit.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, multidisciplinary environments.

Practical notes

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Engagement: Full-time.

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Location: Los Angeles, CA.

• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship for this role.
• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.