What You Will Do
The Engineering Services (ES) Division of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) develops, maintains, and applies a diverse set of engineering capabilities to provide innovative engineering solutions that enable the Laboratory's scientific and national security mission. ES Groups are responsible for implementing the Conduct of Engineering (COE) program at Los Alamos National Laboratory in support of systems, structure and component modifications and new installations, as well as supporting existing systems, modifications and customers occupying the facilities.
This position is within the Engineering Services - Weapons Facilities Opearations (ES-WFO) Group and supports the Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility (WETF) as a Mechanical Cognizant System Engineer to serve as owner of multiple accredited facility systems. As a part of the Cognizant System Engineering Team, systems you support will include tritium process systems, structural fire protection systems, and various other systems needed to operate a leading research and development Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility.
Note: This position will be filled at either the Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 or 4 level depending on the skills and/or experience of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
Nuclear Facilities Engineer Level 3 ($128,000 - $215,900)
As a Nuclear Facilities Engineer with Engineering Services, you will function as a Cognizant System Engineer (CSE) assigned to Vital Safety Systems at WETF. WETF is part of the portfolio of facilities located within LANL's Weapons Facilities Operations (WFO). WFO works hand-in-hand with nuclear weapons R&D groups to develop and maintain the nation's weapons stockpile. As a CSE you will serve as the best integrated source of expert knowledge for a given system or component in your assigned facilities and therefore are responsible for a wide range of support activities. You will provide a technical interface to existing facility systems and components in the assigned facilities and control and maintain the technical baseline and master equipment list of the assigned systems. You will review and concur with design modification outputs as requested by the FDAR and evaluate, maintain, troubleshoot, and replace facility support equipment, as well as coordinate with multiple disciplines. In this role you will support configuration management of assigned systems.
The level 3 role serves as a senior engineer and includes the following job opportunities:
Qualify as a Cognizant System Engineer (CSE) at one of our nation's top scientific laboratories
Assess, maintain, and upgrade systems at WETF to support facility operations and programmatic needs
As system owner's representative this position will support the following focus areas: Configuration Management, Technical Support to Operations and Maintenance, System Health Status and Performance, and Technical Support to Programs and Projects
Lead in research, assembles, and/or evaluates information or data regarding nuclear facility practices or applicable regulatory changes affecting nuclear facility engineering policies or programs; recommends sound, practical solutions to moderately complex issues
Recognized as a contributing figure for nuclear facility engineering issues, communicating with stakeholders across most areas of the project.
Expected to lead significant portions of nuclear facility engineering projects or teams in support of meeting mission deliverables
Represent Engineering Services Division as a leader in effective and efficient project execution
Review and approve conceptual and detailed designs that ensure third-party designs are code-compliant and meet our customer's needs
Mentor lower-level System Engineers
Assess the condition of existing facilities and infrastructure systems
Expertly apply engineering judgement to engineering challenges
Work to scope both internally and externally executed design projects
Review high-level design deliverables including drawings, specifications, test and inspection plans (TIPs), statements of special inspections (SSIs), and calculations
Assist in annual preventative maintenance and in-service inspections
Adhere to LANL's Engineering Standards, Conduct of Engineering, prevailing codes and standards
Support organizational initiatives for improvements of design and business practices
Identify and/or lead activities within structural engineering in support of facility design, operation and maintenance
Nuclear Facilities Engineer Level 4 ($153,600 -$266,500)
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level you will have experience identifying and/or leading activities within a nuclear facility engineering discipline, demonstrating initiative, technical depth, and leadership in complex project environments. You must be able to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, applying broad and diversified knowledge of nuclear facility engineering principles and practices in the preparation and execution of nuclear facility engineering deliverables. This includes utilizing nuclear engineering technology to accomplish work safely and efficiently while continuously improving engineering and work processes to meet evolving customer and mission needs. As the ideal candidate you will bring a strong technical foundation, sound judgment, and the ability to integrate requirements across multiple systems and disciplines to ensure safe, compliant, and reliable facility operations.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Demonstrated broad-based, engineering experience with projects involving mechanical design for new facilities and facility modifications
Experience mentoring others, providing technical direction, and coordinating engineering activities
In-depth understanding of safety principles and hazard mitigation in nuclear or industrial facility operations
Working experience with engineering principles, codes, and standards (ASME B31 Series, NFPA, NEC, etc.)
Working experience in the development of engineering drawings, specifications, calculations, test and inspection plans (TIPs), and statements of special inspection (SSIs)
Working experience in scoping of complex projects to produce an estimate of engineering costs for both design and construction activities
Experience in a nuclear facility environment
Working knowledge of industry, regulatory, or Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) complex codes, standards, and criteria pertinent to the particular engineering discipline
Ability to articulate concepts through various oral and written communication media, using a diverse range of technical and business acumen
Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical issues to diverse audiences
Additional Job Requirements for Nuclear Facilities Engineer 4:
Extensive expertise in nuclear facility engineering processes, maintenance techniques, work planning and control, quality assurance, safety basis, and other nuclear facility safety management programs
Demonstrated experience applying and interpreting DOE/NNSA, industry, and regulatory codes, standards, and criteria relevant to nuclear facility engineering
Expert knowledge of nuclear facility engineering principles, procedures, guides, and administrative practices
Proven ability to prepare and review technical reports and studies to establish and maintain the technical baseline for new and existing facility systems
Skilled in defining and collecting performance, safety, and operational metrics for structures, systems, and components
Demonstrated technical proficiency in defining and executing design and analysis tasks that meet both regulatory and performance requirements
Experienced in developing design details, calculations, load studies, specifications, and special inspections incorporating applicable design and nuclear safety requirements
Extensive experience evaluating and trending system health to ensure long-term reliability and compliance
Demonstrated success serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) while coordinating and interfacing with other engineering disciplines and customers
Proven ability to mentor and develop engineering interns and junior engineers, fostering technical excellence and professional growth
Advanced knowledge of and experience contributing as a leader in engineering, with proven ability to integrate and coordinate multi-facility, cross-functional technical work activities
Demonstrated leadership in achieving project deliverables for senior management while mentoring and enhancing the technical and professional skills of junior engineers
Recognized for strategic decision-making, effective communication, and technical oversight across multidisciplinary engineering teams
Advanced understanding of facility and systems engineering principles and practices
Education/Experience at Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university and a minimum of 6 years practical work experience to the degree necessary to perform the responsibilities outlined above. Advanced engineering or technical degree is highly desired. Current registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is highly desirable.
Education/Experience at Nuclear Facilities Engineer 4: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university and a minimum of 12 years of practical work experience necessary to perform the responsibilities outlined above. Advanced engineering or technical degree is highly desired. Current registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is highly desirable.
Desired Qualifications:
Current Professional Engineering (PE) License is preferred
An advanced degree in a related field is preferred
Facility operations or engineering experience within a nuclear facility
Design experience in nuclear, accelerator or industrial facility operations
Knowledge of DOE and LANL Engineering Standards and Conduct of Engineering principles and procedures
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: 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 (https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/articles/nnsa-sd-2062-implementation-personal-identity-verification-uncleared-contractors) . 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 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-BOrder-chg2-pgchg/@@images/file) for additional information.
DOE 426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.
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.
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 (https://policy.lanl.gov/apex/special/policy/documents/P701) for applicant eligibility requirements.
Incentive Compensation Program: Position at the higher level is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to 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 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 1-505-664-6947 option 2.
