Can you see yourself turning creative ideas into real mechanical systems that support cutting‑edge R&D, environmental remediation, and the future of the Canadian nuclear industry? In this role, you’ll work alongside experienced designers to develop mechanical equipment from concept to detailed drawings, troubleshoot real‑world design challenges, and even get hands‑on with assembly and testing. You’ll build practical engineering skills quickly—sizing components, selecting hardware, and contributing to technical documentation that drives projects forward. If you’re excited to learn, contribute, and see your work come to life, this is where your engineering career can truly begin. Apply today!
What will you be doing!
- Designing and developing mechanical equipment and tooling:including defining requirements, generating concepts, and producing detailed drawings and general assembly drawings.
- Diagnosing design problems, recommending solutions and taking action based on consultation as appropriate to resolve technical issues during manufacturing, development testing, or field use.
- Performing occasional hands-on work, including mechanical assembly, testing, and field support as required by branch resource needs.
- Completing basic calculations or assessments to correctly size components and selecting appropriate commercially available items.
- Producing and/or contributing technical writing to documents related to designed equipment.
- Performing and/or assisting with preparing purchase requisitions for commercially available and custom-made components and systems.
- Other duties as assigned by your manager.
What we are looking for:
- Education
- A College Diploma in mechanical engineering technology or equivalent formal education OR Secondary School Graduation Diploma OR equivalent and a minimum of three (3) years of pertinent design and development experience, additional education, and/or training.
- Experience
- Experience in design and development, would be considered an asset.
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Design and development and a strong mechanical aptitude
- Knowledge of design practices, CAD software, particularly Autodesk Inventor, geometric dimensioning and Tolerance, and basic manufacturing techniques is required.
- General computer literacy in word processing, a moderate to high degree of expertise with spreadsheet software, and knowledge of record keeping (e.g., keeping a lab notebook) are expected.
- Some knowledge of the nuclear industry and ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)codes is an asset, as is knowledge of radiation protection practices.
- The ability to select or design components and integrate them into assemblies and be capable of communicating design ideas both in words and through concise and organized drawings.
- Security Clearance Eligibility Required
- Reliability Status with Site Access Security Clearance (SASC), which has a minimum requirement of 3-5 years of verifiable history in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and/or the United Kingdom. CNL implements security screening in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's “Standard on Security Screening” and the “Policy on Government Security.”
Working Conditions:
- A significant fraction of the work will be done at a computer workstation. It is also important to be present in the lab, getting input from the technologists who work in the lab and from manufacturing and taking part in assembly and testing activities.
Why CNL?
Does the idea of working with a dynamic team across Canada to advance nuclear science and technology for a clean and secure world excite you? At CNL, we’re reinventing ourselves to be industry leaders—pioneering solutions to the problems that matter most.
From building the next generation of clean nuclear and hydrogen energy technologies, to developing targeted cancer treatments, to continuing our global leadership in environmental remediation—we are driven by impact, innovation, and purpose.
What We Offer: A Total Rewards Package
We believe in taking care of our people. Here’s what you can expect as part of our team:
- Paid time off: vacation, sick, personal, and floater days
- Benefits effective Day One – no waiting period
- Tuition support to help you keep learning and growing
- A defined-benefit pension plan or a defined-contribution pension plan, depending on your employee group, to support your long‑term financial security
Do Our Priorities Resonate with You?
- Delivering clean energy for today and tomorrow
- Restoring and protecting the environment
- Contributing to the health of Canadians
If so, you’ll feel right at home at CNL!
Location: Onsite
Located in the heart of the Ottawa Valley, our Chalk River site offers a beautiful natural setting with forests, lakes, and wildlife, right at your doorstep. Surrounded by welcoming communities such as Deep River, Petawawa, and Pembroke, you’ll have access to unparalleled outdoor adventures and a fantastic work-life balance.
Please note: This is a fully on-site position based at our Chalk River Laboratory in Ontario.
Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
At CNL, we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome employees, stakeholders, and partners of all backgrounds and identities. Click here to read all about it!
We are proud to uphold a workplace culture grounded in our Core Values:
- Respect
- Teamwork
- Accountability
- Safety
- Integrity
- Excellence
These values drive our employment practices and ensure meaningful career development opportunities and accommodations for all employees.
CNL is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation during any phase of the hiring process, please let us know via jobs@cnl.ca. All requests will be handled with confidentiality.
CNL operates on sites located on the traditional lands, waterways and ceded and unceded territories of Indigenous peoples. CNL recognizes and affirms all First Nations, Métis communities and Inuit in this land we now know as Canada. We acknowledge, respect and seek to better understand Indigenous history, rights and title on the lands where we work and develop projects. We honour and respect the importance of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and their lands, waters and territories.
