Description

Job Title Shift Mechanical System Engineer (Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2/3)

Location Los Alamos, NM, US

Organization Name PFE-AUX/Auxiliary Systems

Minimum Salary

Maximum Salary

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.

The Plutonium Facilities Engineering - Auxiliary Systems (PFE-AUX) facility engineering group at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking Mechanical Engineers specializing in rotating equipment and/or pressure systems. Put your engineering talents to good use by joining our world-class Engineering team! Our workforce thrives in an environment that values creativity and problem solving to overcome and prevail over challenges. This is your chance to make a real difference while working on important systems directly impacting national security.

Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2 $106,400 - $176,000
At this level the selected applicant will support PFE and LANL's mission by serving as a subject matter expert in nuclear facility mechanical engineering, with emphasis on rotating equipment and/or pressure systems within and around the plutonium facility. This role is responsible for all aspects of mechanical engineering in nuclear facilities, including engines, motors, compressors, generators, pumps, fuel tanks, air tanks, piping networks, and interconnected utilities. 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. 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.

Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 $128,000 - $215,900
In addition to the responsibilities of lower level engineers, the Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 serves as a senior technical authority for nuclear facility mechanical 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 rotating equipment and pressure systems. 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.

#Shiftwork

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Demonstrated knowledge of and demonstrated experience as a mechanical engineer in a major commercial, industrial, or nuclear facility, with strong emphasis on rotating equipment and/or pressure systems.
• Demonstrated experience in the design, analysis, modification, maintenance, and operation rotating equipment and/or pressure systems in regulated environments.
• Demonstrated experience applying and implementing applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements, including ASME, ANSI, IBC, IEBC, and ASHRE.
• Demonstrated ability to independently perform, document, and develop engineering analyses, calculations, and complete design packages for review and approval.
• Demonstrated experience using engineering tools and technology aided platforms, including CAD and CAE systems, to develop solutions to complex technical problems, including the ability to utilize or develop specialized analytical tools or calculation methods.
• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering documentation practices, configuration control, construction interfaces, testing, commissioning, and system turnover processes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments with competing priorities and deadlines while coordinating with engineering, operations, maintenance, and construction personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across organizations and disciplines, including participation in the implementation and commissioning of new techniques, technologies, or system engineering approaches.
• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information effectively in both written and verbal formats to management, customers, peers, craft personnel, and oversight stakeholders.
• 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 Facilities Engineer 3:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

• Demonstrated advanced ability, experience and knowledge relative to the above minimum job requirements.
• Interprets and implements regulatory requirements and consensus codes and standards in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Establishes technical direction for rotating equipment and/or pressure systems and provides final technical review and approval of significant design changes and engineering analyses.
• Leads multi discipline engineering efforts for complex or safety significant system modifications.
• Serves as technical authority for system level decisions involving reliability, safety, compliance, and long term lifecycle strategy.
• Defends technical positions to management, safety basis personnel, and oversight organizations.
• Mentors and provides technical guidance to junior and mid level engineers.
• 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 Nuclear Facilities 2 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 Nuclear Facilities 3 level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 6 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:

• Demonstrated knowledge of DOE Orders and Standards.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the engineering design process.
• Demonstrated knowledge of facility / systems engineering processes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of design development and execution processes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of rotating equipment including engines, motors, compressors, generators, pumps, fuel tanks, air tanks, piping networks, and interconnected utilities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the engineering design process and/or maintenance of rotating equipment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the engineering design process and/or maintenance of pressure systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of codes and standards, to include but not limited to NQA-1, ASME, ANSI, IBC, IEBC, and ASHRE.
• Demonstrated experience with supporting safety analyses and hazards evaluations.
• Demonstrated familiarity with LANL engineering processes and procedures.
• Must have ability to become licensed in New Mexico in the Mechanical discipline within one year of hire date. Professional Engineer License in the Mechanical discipline is desired.

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 Environments: 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.

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.
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.