Mechanical Engineer (Nuclear Ventilation)

Overview

In this role you will lead the design of ventilation and containment systems for nuclear and safety‑significant projects within a highly regulated environment. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate HVAC solutions into complex facilities and contribute to safety cases and verification activities. The position combines technical leadership with hands‑on design, analysis, and stakeholder engagement to support robust, compliant outcomes. You will work in Adelaide, with relocation support for qualified candidates and opportunities to grow within a global, innovative firm.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible work arrangements
• additional annual leave purchase
• flexible public holidays
• continuous learning and development
• financial study assistance
• global career opportunities

Responsibilities

• Lead design and engineering of nuclear and safety‑significant ventilation systems (HVAC, air handling, filtration, ductwork, mechanical plant)
• Develop and review specifications, calculations, equipment schedules and design documents through all design phases
• Collaborate with architecture, structure, electrical, controls, and operations to integrate ventilation into the facility design
• Perform engineering studies, airflow modelling, contamination control and risk assessments
• Support safety cases, engineering justifications, requirements management, and verification/validation activities
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship while managing scope, programme, resources and deliverables
• Support commissioning, testing, balancing, containment verification and performance acceptance, and engage with clients, suppliers and regulators

Key requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent with proven experience delivering ventilation or HVAC on major infrastructure or highly regulated projects
• Experience in nuclear, defence, pharmaceutical, life sciences, laboratory or other regulated environments with strong safety culture understanding
• Strong understanding of HVAC and ventilation engineering, including airflow management, containment and contamination control
• Experience with specialist ventilation systems (HEPA, radiological environments, cleanrooms, laboratories, controlled environments, smoke management, emergency ventilation)
• Knowledge of safety‑significant/classified systems, hazard analysis, ALARP, reliability/maintainability, inspection requirements
• Experience with ventilation controls/BMS, requirements management, systems engineering, V&V, procurement, vendor management, factory acceptance testing (advantageous)
• Strong communication and stakeholder management, ability to lead technically and work autonomously within a multidisciplinary team
• Chartered Engineer/CPEng status or commitment to professional registration desirable
• Willingness to learn and work in a dynamic, deadline‑driven environment
• Ability to meet AUKUS clearance requirements

• strong communication
• stakeholder management
• autonomy and collaboration
• ventilation engineering
• HVAC
• airflow modelling

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