What are the responsibilities and job description for the 2026 Mechanical Engineering Co-op position at Naval Nuclear Laboratory?
About Us
Working at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory we foster pride in belonging to an organization whose culture is made up of these core values : Trust, Empowerment, and Collaboration. Our company promotes a positive culture while ensuring the safety and reliability of our nation's naval nuclear reactors, and training the Sailors who operate those reactors in the U.S. Navy's submarines and aircraft carrier Fleets. Looking for a lifetime career Apply today!
Job Description
The Naval Nuclear Laboratory has co-op opportunities for college students to spend much of 2026 getting great work experience, in great locations, supporting the world's greatest Navy
We are looking to hire Mechanical Engineering students for a unique co-op experience at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory (NNL)! The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Mechanical Engineering students to perform mechanical engineering evaluations (including finite element analysis, heat transfer, materials science, and / or computational fluid dynamics) associated with nuclear reactor plant components for the submarines and aircraft carriers in the United States Navy. Cognizant areas may include planning, methods development, modeling, analyzing, and documenting results regarding the thermal, structural, and material performance of system components and equipment. Responsibilities may also include manufacturing evaluations, analytical support for product and / or test hardware development, job automation, data mining, and integration with various testing communities and other engineering disciplines. In this position, the successful candidate will be empowered to improve their analytical and collaboration skills through challenging work assignments, mentoring, and in-house training programs and provide them with an opportunity to directly impact both the current and next generations of plant components.
Preferred candidates will possess a basic understanding of mechanical engineering, including engineering mechanics, finite element analysis (FEA) methods, heat transfer, materials science, and / or computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
Program highlights include :
- Final presentation to management, peers, and other NNL employees
- Meet directly with NNL General Manager and Executive Leadership
- Partnership with a mentor
- Opportunity to tour local NNL site facilities
- Trip to a Naval Shipyard for a guided tour
- Extensive networking opportunities
The NNL Co-op program is an approximate 30 week program starting in January 2026.
A co-op position may result in a return internship or full-time employment offer (based on student eligibility) upon successful completion of the program.
Required Combination of Knowledge and Skill
Candidates for Mechanical Engineering co-op positions must be :
Students must attach most recent unofficial college transcripts and resume to the employment application.
Preferred Skills
Compensation and Benefits
NNL offers an outstanding Compensation and Benefits package for co-ops which includes :
401(k) Plan with company match
50 miles from assigned work location
Pay Range
23.50 / hour-$41.00 / hour
Salary information provided is a general guideline only. Hourly rate is based upon candidate education and job discipline, as well as market and business considerations.
The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is operated for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC (FMP), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fluor Corporation. Naval Nuclear Laboratory personnel are FMP employees who work at four DOE facilities : Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, Kenneth A. Kesselring Site, and Naval Reactors Facility, and at the U.S. Department of Defense-owned Nuclear Power Training Unit-Charleston. FMP employees also have an established presence at numerous shipyards and vendor locations. For nearly 70 years, the Naval Nuclear Laboratory has developed advanced nuclear propulsion technology, provided technical support, and trained world-class nuclear operators to ensure the safe and reliable operation of our nation's submarine and aircraft carrier Fleets. The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is a national asset solely dedicated to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. We rely on the dedication and innovation of our nearly 8000 engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel.
All candidates must be U.S. citizens. Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. FMP is a government contractor and maintains a drug free workplace and workforce. All candidates must be able to pass a drug test in compliance with FMP company policy and 10 CFR 707. Marijuana is a Federal Schedule I controlled substance and illegal under Federal Law. Therefore, FMP is required to test for marijuana.
Fluor Marine Propulsion is an Equal Opportunity Employer (Veterans / Disabilities) committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other criteria protected by federal, state, or local law.
Apply Now
Salary : $24 - $41
