Mechanical Engineering Lead, Assembly and ProductionJob Summary:TechSource a Salas O'Brien Company is hiring an experienced full-time Mechanical Engineering Lead to support the Advanced Sources and Detectors (ASD) Program and the Scorpius accelerator project. This is a unique opportunity to join one of the Department of Energy's most significant accelerator initiatives at a pivotal moment.
The selected candidate will help bridge decades of technical knowledge developed in Los Alamos with the expansion of long-term program capabilities in Las Vegas. Working closely with LANL technical leadership, this individual will serve as a hands-on engineering leader responsible for technical execution, knowledge transfer, team development, and operational excellence.
This position is ideal for a highly respected engineer who enjoys remaining technically engaged while leading people, mentoring staff, solving complex engineering challenges, and helping establish the foundation for a program expected to span multiple decades.
Reporting directly to the Group Leader, this individual will help build and develop a growing engineering team while serving as a trusted technical resource for project leadership, engineers, operators, and stakeholders across the Scorpius enterprise.
Responsibilities: - Provide technical leadership and engineering oversight for accelerator systems, engineering operations, and program execution activities supporting the Scorpius ASD mission.
- Serve as a primary interface between Los Alamos National Laboratory technical teams and Las Vegas-based program personnel to ensure successful knowledge transfer, technical consistency, and mission alignment.
- Develop subject matter expertise across accelerator systems, assembly activities, operational readiness, engineering processes, and system integration efforts.
- Mentor engineers, technologists, and operations personnel while helping establish a culture of technical excellence, disciplined operations, and continuous learning.
- Support planning, scheduling, resource loading, prioritization, and execution of engineering activities to meet program objectives.
- Collaborate with project managers, engineers, quality personnel, operations staff, and customers to resolve technical issues and maintain program performance.
- Lead technical reviews, design discussions, readiness activities, risk assessments, and operational planning efforts.
- Assist with development of engineering processes, work packages, procedures, training programs, and operational documentation.
- Support configuration management, engineering change processes, system testing, commissioning, and startup activities.
- Participate in strategic planning activities that support long-term program growth and future mission execution.
- Provide technical guidance during system troubleshooting, maintenance, assembly, integration, and operational activities.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, development, and retention of engineering personnel as the organization expands.
How to Be Successful- Lead by example through technical credibility, operational discipline, and strong engineering judgment.
- Balance strategic leadership responsibilities with day-to-day technical engagement.
- Build trust and credibility across multiple organizations and stakeholder groups.
- Demonstrate the ability to mentor developing engineers while influencing senior technical leaders.
- Effectively communicate complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Remain adaptable in a fast-paced environment where priorities evolve with program needs.
- Drive accountability while fostering collaboration and team development.
- Maintain a strong commitment to safety, quality, mission execution, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications and Experience: - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline.
- Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible engineering experience supporting complex technical, scientific, defense, nuclear, aerospace, accelerator, or high-consequence systems.
- Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, projects, or operational organizations.
- Experience supporting system integration, testing, commissioning, manufacturing, operations, or large-scale technical programs.
- Experience with project planning, scheduling, resource management, and execution of technically complex work.
- Strong communication, leadership, mentoring, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- U.S. Citizenship required.
Preferred Qualifications: - Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field.
- Experience supporting accelerator systems, pulsed power systems, high-voltage systems, diagnostics, advanced scientific facilities, or national laboratory programs.
- Experience supporting Department of Energy, NNSA, national laboratory, defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated environments.
- Knowledge of Conduct of Engineering, Conduct of Operations, Configuration Management, Readiness Processes, Integrated Safety Management, and Quality Assurance principles.
- Experience leading startup, commissioning, production, or operational readiness activities.
- Professional Engineer (PE), PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or related professional certification.
Location & Travel: This role will be fully on-site in Los Alamos, NM for the first 1-2 years of the project. Please consider this when applying to the job.
Compensation & Benefits: The expected base salary range for this role is $160,000 - $220,000 USD per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.
This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
- Professional development support
For more information, visit our full benefits overview here.
