Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Early Career Nuclear Engineer 1

Energy & Utilities
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Nuclear Engineering
  • Strong conceptual knowledge of nuclear engineering practices
  • Experience with reactor physics or radiation transport codes (e.g., MCNP, SCALE)
  • Programming or scripting experience (Python, Fortran, C/C++, etc.)
  • Familiarity with Linux-based HPC environments and version-control tools
  • Strong analytical, technical writing, and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to communicate technical results clearly

Responsibilities

  • Apply nuclear engineering theories to defined tasks
  • Collaborate with engineers on near-term analyses and long-term model development
  • Document methods and findings in technical reports
  • Support project activities involving sensitive information
  • Contribute to multidisciplinary projects in national security and reactor technology

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance options
  • Robust telehealth care and mental health benefits
  • Employee assistance programs and wellness coaching
  • Tuition assistance and relocation support
  • Company-funded pension plan and 401(k) with match
  • Up to 120 vacation hours per year and 10 paid holidays
  • Backup childcare, legal benefits, and fertility support
Full Job Description
Responsibilities

The Nuclear Engineering Group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking an early-career nuclear engineer to help advance the nation's capabilities in nuclear materials production, nuclear engineering, and nuclear nonproliferation.

A significant portion of the group's work supports the National Nuclear Security Administration's Office of Defense Programs, which is responsible for maintaining and modernizing the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile. The group also conducts research and provides technical expertise in criticality safety and radiation shielding; advanced nuclear fuels for research, commercial, and next-generation reactors; mobile and small nuclear power systems for the Department of Defense; and nuclear nonproliferation and international safeguards.

This position offers the opportunity to contribute to multidisciplinary projects spanning national security, reactor technology, nuclear materials, and advanced energy systems.

Responsibilities
  • Apply basic nuclear engineering theories to well defined tasks with minimal oversight.
  • Collaborate with experienced engineers and contribute to projects involving both near-term analyses and longer-term model development.
  • Document methods and findings in technical reports and presentations.

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement. The selected individual should expect regular on-site work to support project activities involving sensitive information and collaboration with team members.

You will be expected to work with non-sensitive, sensitive, and classified information as appropriate for individual projects and should demonstrate an ability to navigate sensitive business situations and contribute to positive outcomes. In this position, you must recognize and accept that you will be working in technical areas associated with the National Security of the United States.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Nuclear Engineering

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Strong conceptual knowledge of scientific or engineering theories, practices, and procedures within nuclear engineering.
  • Experience with one or more reactor physics or radiation transport codes, such as MCNP or SCALE.
  • Programming or scripting experience in Python, Fortran, C/C++, or a similar language.
  • Familiarity with Linux-based HPC environments and Git or other version-control tools.
  • Strong analytical, technical writing, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to learn new software and methods, work collaboratively, and communicate technical results clearly.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not Applicable

Additional Information

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.

Requirements:
  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
  • Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).

Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

Testing Designated Position

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
* Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

Click Here For Rockstar Rewards

Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual's relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $80,500.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary

USD $116,300.00/Yr.

About Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory that conducts research and development in areas including energy, environment, and national security. PNNL is operated by Battelle Memorial Institute and is located in Richland, Washington. The laboratory was established in 1965 as the Battelle Northwest Laboratory and was renamed to its current name in 1997. PNNL has a staff of over 4,000 scientists, engineers, and support staff, and has an annual budget of over $1 billion. The laboratory has been involved in a number of high-profile projects, including the development of the first artificial heart and the cleanup of the Hanford Site, a decommissioned nuclear production complex.
Learn more about Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Size
5,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1965

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