What You Will Do
This position will be filled at either the Nuclear Facilities Engineer 1 or 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
Join the Essential Balance of Plant Group (PFE-EBP) within the Plutonium Facilities Engineering Division, where your work will directly support the day-to-day operations of the Plutonium Facility-critical to our National Defense mission.
Our group manages approximately 40 mechanical systems, including cryogenic systems, compressed gases, vacuum systems, circulating water, chemical supply, and more. This is a dynamic, hands-on engineering role ideal for those who enjoy being in the field, walking down systems, and staying closely connected to their operation and maintenance. If you're a proactive, detail-oriented engineer who thrives on real-world impact and technical challenges, we want to hear from you.
Nuclear Facilities Engineer 1 ($94,500 - $154,600)
As a Mechanical Systems Engineer 1, you'll take full ownership of your assigned systems, ensuring they operate at peak performance. You'll proactively monitor system health and collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, and other teams to troubleshoot issues and drive continuous improvement.
Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2 ($104,100 - $172,200)
In addition to the responsibilities at the lower level, this role requires greater independence and the ability to contribute valuable insights and experience gained from other organizations to the role.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Ability to troubleshoot mechanical systems.
Knowledge of design, operation, and maintenance of facility mechanical systems.
Knowledge of analysis and calculations techniques to support engineered solutions.
Ability to effectively communicate engineering solutions both verbally and written with management, customers, peers, and craft personnel.
Working knowledge of Microsoft software products (i.e. Word, Excel, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, etc.)
Additional Job Requirements for Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
Experienced in evaluating and trending system health
Skilled in preparing and reviewing technical reports and studies to support and maintain the Technical Baseline for both new and existing facility systems.
Effective collaborator with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals (e.g., resolving facility issues with Maintenance and Operations).
Demonstrated ability to develop design details, calculations, specifications, and special inspections that align with applicable design and nuclear safety requirements.
Provides mentorship and guidance to engineering interns and early-career engineers.
Familiarity with and working experience in with applicable codes and standards, including ASME B31.3 and B31.9.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Training/Certifications: None required for this role; however, certification in vibration analysis, thermography, leak detection, various NDE techniques, or other certifications relevant to mechanical system engineering are desired.
Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university and 2 years of practical work experience necessary to perform the responsibilities outlined above. Advanced engineering or technical degree is highly desired.
Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university and a minimum of 3 years of practical work experience necessary to perform the responsibilities outlined above. Advanced engineering or technical degree is highly desired.
Desired Qualifications:
Knowledge of major commercial, industrial, or nuclear facility mechanical systems (i.e. HVAC, Compressed Air, Chilled Water, Cryogenic systems, etc.).
Knowledge of engineering design process and/or maintenance of facility related mechanical systems.
Experience with supporting safety analyses and hazards evaluations.
Demonstrated experience working in a highly regulated nuclear environment (DOE or NRC regulatory environment).
Active DOE Q-clearance
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):General Physical Mobility, standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending. Specific Physical Mobility use of both hands, use of both arms, use of both legs, use of both feet, carry/lift up to 20 pounds.
Work Environment: Work in a noisy environment, work near sources of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, work near machinery with moving parts, working overtime or an irregular schedule.
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Note to Applicants: Work from Home arrangements are not possible for this role since it requires daily on-site support of an operating nuclear facility.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
Dental and vision insurance
Free basic life and disability insurance
Paid childbirth and parental leave
Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
Onsite gyms and wellness programs
Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
HRP: This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, §712.11. These requirements include on going drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Term position: Regular-status Laboratory employees applying for term-status positions may retain regular status with approval of the cognizant Principle Associate Director.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.
