Overview

The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation's biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation's power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.

The Earth Systems Science Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, provides leadership and solutions that advance Earth system opportunities for energy systems and national security. We are a multidisciplinary division connected by a shared commitment to innovate and collaborate towards solving complex problems in the dynamic Earth system.

Responsibilities

The Operational Systems Engineering group within the Earth Systems Science Division seeks an early to mid-career Mechanical Engineer to support research, development, and deployment activities focused on hydropower and pumped storage technologies. This position supports projects sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Hydropower and Hydrokinetics Office, and other federal and state hydropower stakeholders. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with engineers, scientists, project managers, and external partners to address technical and operational challenges associated with hydropower production and energy-water infrastructure systems.

This position offers a diverse range of technical and project-oriented responsibilities. The successful candidate will have a combination of coursework, experience, and knowledge in mechanical and electrical engineering principles, with demonstrated capabilities in identifying, analyzing, and implementing solutions to challenges and risks associated with hydropower production. Additionally, the successful applicant will need to be adaptable, collaborative, and capable of balancing multiple priorities across research and applied engineering efforts.

Duties include:

• In collaboration with senior engineers, scientists, and project managers, the candidate will conduct engineering and regulatory-based analyses across a diverse range of projects, including, but not limited to, early-stage R&D and applied science aimed at advancing transformative, cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable hydropower and pumped storage technologies. The goal is to better understand and capitalize on opportunities for these technologies to support the nation's rapidly evolving grid and improve energy-water infrastructure and security.
• The candidate will conduct engineering analyses related to U.S. hydropower infrastructure, including dams, powerhouses, fish passage systems, navigation facilities, sediment transport systems, and associated operational components.
• Design, support, and evaluate laboratory and field-based technology testing and demonstration experiments for emerging hydropower and pumped storage technologies and novel manufacturing methods.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary technical teams to identify engineering challenges, assess risks, and develop innovative solutions supporting reliable and sustainable hydropower generation.
• Support research and engineering activities spanning early-stage research and development through applied science and technology demonstration projects.
• Develop technical documentation, analyses, reports, presentations, and publications for sponsors, project teams, and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the preparation of competitive research proposals and strategic project planning activities aligned with sponsor priorities and national energy objectives.
• Support research project execution, including coordination of technical activities, schedules, deliverables, and stakeholder communications.
• Support regulatory and engineering-based evaluations that advance transformative, cost-effective, and resilient hydropower and pumped storage technologies for the evolving electric grid.
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, industry trends, and sponsor priorities relevant to hydropower systems and energy-water infrastructure.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 2 years of relevant engineering experience -OR-
• MS/MA -OR-
• PhD

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or Ph.D with in Engineering (Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, or Electrical) with a focus on the analysis, design, or benefits/impacts of hydropower.
• Experience working with or analyzing the U.S hydropower fleet components including dams, powerhouses, fish passage, navigation, pumped storage development, and/or sediment transport facilities.
• 2+ years experience in the hydropower industry.
• Experience with data-oriented programming/scripting languages such as Ruby, R, Perl, and Python on Linux-based computer clusters.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• A proactive and collaborative approach to problem-solving with the ability to work well on interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated participation in multidisciplinary efforts to provide solutions to complex problems where the problems are characterized by lack of precedents, source material, or lack of prior success.
• Well-established research reputation with professional achievements, including excellent technical writing skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate within a team environment and with sponsors and partners.
• Other preferred qualifications include experience securing project funding, working with or leading technical teams, and the ability to manage research projects.
• Registered Professional Engineer.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

• Some travel (for fieldwork, scientific conferences, and client networking) may be necessary depending on evolving project/programmatic needs and candidate interest.

Testing Designated Position

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

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.

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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 $89,300.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary

USD $131,200.00/Yr.