Los Alamos National Laboratory

Shift Fire Protection System Engineer 2/3 (Nuclear Facilities Engineer)

Los Alamos National Laboratory$104K — $211K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering required; advanced degree preferred.
  • 3-6 years of relevant experience in fire protection systems or engineering discipline.
  • Knowledge of regulatory codes such as NFPA, IEFC, IFC, and IBC is essential.
  • Experience with engineering tools (CAD, fire modeling) to solve technical problems.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments and collaborate with diverse teams.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a subject matter expert on nuclear facility fire protection engineering.
  • Design, analyze, and maintain fire protection systems for nuclear facilities.
  • Perform technical reviews and approvals for safety-related system changes.
  • Collaborate with engineering teams to develop integrated design solutions.
  • Lead complex multi-discipline engineering efforts and provide mentorship.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and mentorship.
  • Engagement in high-consequence engineering systems.
  • Possibility for shift differential pay based on assignment.
  • On-site work at prestigious Los Alamos, NM facilities.
Full Job Description
Job Title Shift Fire Protection System Engineer 2/3 (Nuclear Facilities Engineer) Location Los Alamos, NM, US Organization Name PFE-AUX This position is open for external candidates only to apply. What You Will Do This position will be filled at either a Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2 or 3 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. At this level the selected applicant will support PFE and LANL's mission by serving as a subject matter expert in nuclear facility fire protection engineering, with emphasis on fire protection systems within and around the plutonium facility. This role is responsible for all aspects of fire protection in nuclear facilities, including active systems (fire alarm systems, public address systems, fire extinguishing / suppression systems, etc.), passive systems (fire-rated assemblies, fire-rated doors and windows, etc.), life safety systems, life safety assessments, and combustibles assessments. The engineer supports facility modifications, new structure and equipment development, demolition activities, installations, upgrades, and repairs. Engineering responsibilities include performing and reviewing complex engineering studies such as short circuit analysis, device coordination, equipment sizing, exterior lighting design, fault current calculations, and arc flash analysis for both medium and low voltage systems. Engineers at this level will qualify as a Cognizant System Engineer on one or more Vital Safety Systems that support LANL Nuclear Facilities. In addition to technical execution, the Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2 works collaboratively with junior and senior engineers across disciplines, including fire protection, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering. This role contributes to integrated, full system design solutions through mentorship, technical leadership, and coordination across teams. The position is intended for engineers specializing in low voltage systems and instrumentation and controls who demonstrate increasing independence, technical depth, and leadership in complex nuclear facility environments. The candidate can either be a qualified Fire Protection Engineer or another engineering discipline (such as a Mechanical Engineer) with demonstrated experience or willingness, and ability to support Fire Protection systems. In addition to the responsibilities of lower level engineers, the Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 serves as a senior technical authority for nuclear facility fire protection engineering within plutonium and other nuclear facilities. This role provides strategic leadership, technical governance, and decision making authority for complex, high consequence engineering systems, with emphasis on low voltage systems and instrumentation and controls. The engineer at this level is responsible for ensuring that nuclear facility engineering programs are effectively and efficiently implemented in accordance with the Nuclear Safety Management Rule, applicable DOE Orders and Standards, American Nuclear Society Standards, national consensus Codes and Standards, recognized quality standards, Laboratory requirements, and federal, state, and local regulations. This includes interpreting regulatory requirements, resolving conflicts between codes and standards, and translating requirements into executable engineering direction. The Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 leads complex, multi discipline design efforts and provides final technical review and approval for significant modifications, new installations, and safety related system changes. This role frequently interfaces with facility management, safety basis personnel, Cognizant System Engineers, and external oversight organizations to defend technical positions and ensure regulatory compliance. Engineers at this level will qualify as a Cognizant System Engineer on one or more Vital Safety Systems that support LANL Nuclear Facilities. The Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 mentors and develops junior and mid level engineers, establishes technical expectations, and drives continuous improvement in engineering quality, safety, and reliability across nuclear facilities. This position requires a high level of independent judgment, accountability for technical risk, and the ability to influence outcomes at the program and institutional level. The candidate can either be a qualified Fire Protection Engineer or another engineering discipline (such as a Mechanical Engineer) with demonstrated experience or willingness, and ability to support Fire Protection systems. What You Need Minimum Job Requirements: 3 Demonstrated knowledge of and demonstrated technical experience with major commercial, industrial, or nuclear facility fire protection systems (i.e. Fire Alarm, Fire Suppression, Specialty fire suppression systems, passive fire systems (fire barriers), inertion systems, and/or public address systems. 3 Demonstrated experience in the design, analysis, modification, maintenance, and operation of fire protection systems. 3 Demonstrated experience applying and implementing applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements, including NFPA, IEFC, IFC, and IBC. 3 Demonstrated knowledge of and demonstrated technical experience with engineering design process and/or maintenance of fire protection systems. 3 Demonstrated experience using engineering tools and technology aided platforms, including CAD and fire modeling systems, to develop solutions to complex technical problems, including the ability to utilize or develop specialized analytical tools or calculation methods. 3 Demonstrated working knowledge of engineering documentation practices, configuration control, construction interfaces, testing, commissioning, and system turnover processes. 3 Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments with competing priorities and deadlines while coordinating with engineering, operations, maintenance, and construction personnel. 3 Demonstrated ability to collaborate across organizations and disciplines, including participation in the implementation and commissioning of new techniques, technologies, or system engineering approaches. 3 Demonstrated knowledge of safety considerations and potential hazards associated with nuclear or industrial facility systems, including incorporation of engineered design features to mitigate risk and support regulatory compliance. 3 Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information effectively in both written and verbal formats to management, customers, peers, craft personnel, and oversight stakeholders. 3 Demonstrated experience providing technical direction, mentoring or coordinating the work of others, and exercising sound engineering judgment within assigned scope of responsibility. Additional Job Requirements for Nuclear Facilites Engineer 3: In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires: 3 Demonstrated advanced ability, experience and knowledge relative to the above minimum job requirements. 3 Interprets and implements regulatory requirements and consensus codes and standards in complex or ambiguous situations. 3 Establishes technical direction for fire protection systems and provides final technical review and approval of significant design changes and engineering analyses. 3 Leads multi discipline engineering efforts for complex or safety significant system modifications. 3 Serves as technical authority for system level decisions involving reliability, safety, compliance, and long term lifecycle strategy. 3 Defends technical positions to management, safety basis personnel, and oversight organizations. 3 Mentors and provides technical guidance to junior and mid level engineers. 3 Exercises independent judgment with accountability for high consequence technical risk. Training/Certifications: No additional requirements beyond below Education requirements. Other training and certifications are highly desired such as FE, PE, or other specialized training and/or certifications. Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering 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. Current registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is highly desirable. Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering a minimum of 6 years of practical work experience necessary to perform the responsibilities outlined above. Advanced engineering or technical degree is highly desired. Must have ability to become licensed in New Mexico in the Fire Protection discipline within one year of hire date. Professional Engineer License in the Fire Protection discipline is desired. Desired Qualifications: 3 Demonstrated knowledge of DOE Orders and Standards. 3 Demonstrated knowledge of the engineering design process. 3 Demonstrated knowledge of facility / systems engineering processes. 3 Demonstrated knowledge of design development and execution processes. 3 Demonstrated knowledge of fire protection systems as they relate to commercial, industrial, or nuclear facilities. 3 Demonstrated knowledge of the engineering design process and/or maintenance of fire protection systems. 3 Demonstrated knowledge of codes and standards, to include but not limited to NFPA Codes and Standards, IFC, IBC, and IEBC. 3 Demonstrated experience with supporting safety analyses and hazards evaluations. 3 Demonstrated familiarity with LANL engineering processes and procedures. Work Schedule: This position requires working Friday through Monday (10 hours / day) upon completion of a "training period" Tuesday through Friday (10 hours / day). Employees may be eligible for shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift/weekend assignments are at the discretion of the manager. This position may require 24/7 on-call coverage also at the discretion of the manager. 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.

About Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory initially organized during World War II for the design of nuclear weapons as part of the Manhattan Project. It is located a short distance northwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico in the southwestern United States. LANL conducts research in fields such as national security, space exploration, renewable energy, medicine, nanotechnology, and supercomputing. It is the largest institution of its kind in the world. LANL is managed and operated by Triad National Security, LLC, which is composed of Battelle Memorial Institute, the University of California, and the Texas A&M University System.
Learn more about Los Alamos National Laboratory
Size
12,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1943

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