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Mechanical Engineer at Bechtel Plant Machinery Incorporated

Bechtel Plant Machinery Incorporated (BPMI) is "a dedicated prime contractor for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP). BPMI supports the design, purchase, quality control, and delivery of major nuclear propulsion plant components installed on the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, submarines, and prototype plants." 🔗More information about BPMI .

Note: Due to the sensitive nature of this work, details will be limited and based on publicly available information. 

Group

Circuit Breaker Technology,

Instrumentation and Control Department

Date

October 2023 - Present

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Objective

Responsible for the development, production, repair, and end-user support of U.S. naval nuclear reactor control and electric power distribution systems such as circuit breakers and their associated instrumentation.

Responsibilities

Engineers at BPMI are cognizant-engineers with signature authority over their assigned equipment. This work includes:

  • Preparing and maintaining equipment technical manuals for end-users in accordance with NR program quality standards.​

  • Participating in technical discussions with supplier and evaluating vendor-prepared designs and supporting documents.

  • Managing repair and production contracts to meet first-time quality, project requirements, and delivery schedule.

  • Authoring recommendations to the Government for approval of technical actions and obtaining approval of funding.

  • Acting technical leads for new technology development.

  • Creating Scopes of Work to place contracts with vendors.

  • Supporting end-user troubleshooting for cognizant-equipment.

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Accomplishments

  • Promoted from Associate Mechanical Engineer to Mechanical Engineer within 1.5 years of starting employment.

  • Mechanical Design and Modeling/Simulation Lead for new circuit breaker design.

  • Circuit Breaker Technology Digital Transformation Lead, developing digital twins for existing and future breakers.

  • Led magnetostatic/CFD simulation research project to analyze low-current arcing dynamics.

Reflection

My time at BPMI has been a welcoming and productive entrance into the professional workforce. This role has taught me excellent technical writing skills, project management, and how to effectively collaborate and communicate with external stakeholders. This role has bolstered my problem solving skills and to act quickly when the Fleet needs it most.

The new development projects matched well with my passion for early-design stage work. I'm confident that the digital engineering skillsets and tools which I have grown proficient in will be an invaluable asset in my career.

Given the utmost importance and high consequence of failure for equipment operating in an unforgiving environment, this role has instilled a practice for producing high-quality, technically rigorous work.

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