Job description

Overview At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget. Our directorates related to Mission Support & Operations include Office of General Counsel, Business Services, Communications and External Engagement, Operational Systems , Communications and Information Technology, and Performance Management. The Operational Systems Directorate (OSD) leads delivery of PNNL’s 10-year, $1.2 billion campus construction portfolio— the single largest construction and modernization effort in the Laboratory’s history. OSD oversees operations and facility services, maintenance, and infrastructure planning. A team of nearly 800 staff comprise OSD, spanning in a wide range of disciplines, including craftspeople, engineers, construction professionals, technicians, scientists, administrators, and specialists. Together, they ensure that PNNL’s assets, services, and OSD-led programs are managed and performing safely, securely, reliably, effectively, and efficiently. The directorate stewards more than $250 million in annual budget authority; managing more than 2.5 million square feet of facility space across two campuses; overseeing approximately 200 regulatory program areas; and executing a multi-million-dollar facility and infrastructure project portfolio.  The Project Integration and Execution (PI&E) Division delivers mission-ready projects from concept inception through readiness and beneficial use in support of the forward-looking PNNL campus strategy, emerging research needs, and the ongoing investments in modernizing and maintaining PNNL’s existing facilities, utilities, and infrastructure. PI&E excels in actualizing projects that maximize safety, functionality, and reliability, while optimizing the efficiency, sustainability, and life-cycle operating costs of PNNL facility and infrastructure capabilities to enable a mission ready world-class research and development campus for the Department of Energy. Responsibilities Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking a facility Mechanical design engineer (Level 3) to join the Campus Design, Engineering, and CAD group. In this role, you'll contribute to designing facilities that support cutting-edge research addressing some of the world’s most pressing science and technology challenges. The ideal candidate will provide Mechanical engineering expertise for facility design, calculations, engineering studies, troubleshooting, preparation of contract documents (e.g., drawings and specifications), and supporting field inspections for all PNNL facilities. This position offers an opportunity to apply engineering principles in the facility engineering department, including the potential to support research initiatives. A successful Senior Mechanical Engineer should be able to: • Independently lead assigned projects and technical scopes with minimal supervision. • Serve as the mechanical engineering authority for complex or high-visibility projects. • Translate functional requirements and project objectives into complete, high-quality engineering solutions. • Establish project design approaches, criteria, interfaces, and technical requirements. • Make authoritative engineering decisions within their area of responsibility and clearly communicate the basis for those decisions. • Anticipate and resolve technical, coordination, constructability, safety, cost, and schedule issues before they affect project outcomes. • Lead effective coordination with other disciplines, facility stakeholders, contractors, and clients. • Provide direct technical guidance to less-experienced staff and elevate team performance through mentoring and knowledge sharing. • Review, challenge, and approve technical work products to ensure quality and consistency. • Recognize complex or high-risk issues and appropriately involve senior technical staff, management, or subject-matter experts. • Deliver construction documents that are technically sound, coordinated, constructible, maintainable, energy-efficient, and on schedule. • Contribute to department-wide engineering practices, standards, lessons learned, and continuous improvement. Responsible for providing discipline specific engineering expertise including engineering studies, preliminary, conceptual and detailed design, project management, estimating, calculations, troubleshooting, preparation of contract documents including drawings and specifications, construction administration, and field inspections for all PNNL facilities. Key Responsibilities: • Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to contribute to projects of varying complexity. • Apply Mechanical engineering expertise in facility design efforts, ensuring solutions meet functional and technical requirements. • Coordinate with internal teams to develop system designs within a collaborative team environment. • Support the procurement of equipment through the preparation of procurement packages, technical evaluations, vendor submittal reviews, and resolution of technical issues. • Assist in the review and disposition of engineering change notices, non-conformance reports, and condition reports. • Manage workload effectively to maintain high quality and productivity in project deliverables. • Assist with operations, maintenance, and commissioning of PNNL facilities. • Foster collaboration by interfacing with subcontractors, vendors, and various project support groups. This position also provides opportunities for growth and mentorship under the guidance of other senior engineers and project leads. This mid-level engineer will have access to a vibrant, team-driven environment to expand their skills and contribute to impactful facility designs. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: • BS/BA degree in Mechanical Engineering and 5+ years of relevant work experience in design and analysis of facility mechanical systems; OR • MS/MA or higher in Mechanical Engineering and 3+ years of relevant work experience in design and analysis of facility mechanical systems. Preferred Qualifications: • Professional Engineer (PE) license, or the ability to obtain one within an established timeframe. • Experience with laboratory, health care, industrial, high-hazard, research, or mission-critical facilities design. • Experience with complex HVAC, hydronic, process utility, or laboratory ventilation systems. • Experience with compressed gas systems, plumbing systems and vacuum systems. • Experience with Revit, AutoCAD, Trane TRACE, HAP, IES-VE or comparable engineering/design software. • Experience with commissioning, TAB, startup, or construction-phase services. • Familiarity with sustainable design (ASHRAE 90.1) and energy-efficiency requirements. • Experience developing mechanical specifications and design standards. • Demonstrated experience reviewing technical work and mentoring engineers or designers. Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment • Work may include construction field work oversight, and exposure to normal/typical construction site hazards (e.g., uneven terrain, welding, cutting, grinding operations, open excavations, noise, vibrations, heavy equipment operation, ladder use, exposure to weather). • Work may also include onsite visits to existing mechanical/electrical rooms and ladder use to observe above ceiling and high elevation building elements. Additional Information This position involves access to sensitive systems and information. U.S. Citizenship is required. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is subject to the Department of Energy Unclassified Foreign Visits & Assignments Program site, information, technologies, and equipment access requirements. Testing Designated Position This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP). About PNNL Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them! At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs. Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov . Drug Free Workplace PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn. Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. For foreign national candidates: If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential. Mandatory Requirements Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment. 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 $112,500.00/Yr. Maximum Salary USD $168,600.00/Yr.

Requirements

Must-haves

A successful Senior Mechanical Engineer should be able to:
Independently lead assigned projects and technical scopes with minimal supervision.
Serve as the mechanical engineering authority for complex or high-visibility projects.
Translate functional requirements and project objectives into complete, high-quality engineering solutions.
Establish project design approaches, criteria, interfaces, and technical requirements.
Make authoritative engineering decisions within their area of responsibility and clearly communicate the basis for those decisions.
Anticipate and resolve technical, coordination, constructability, safety, cost, and schedule issues before they affect project outcomes.
Lead effective coordination with other disciplines, facility stakeholders, contractors, and clients.
Provide direct technical guidance to less-experienced staff and elevate team performance through mentoring and knowledge sharing.
Review, challenge, and approve technical work products to ensure quality and consistency.
Recognize complex or high-risk issues and appropriately involve senior technical staff, management, or subject-matter experts.
Deliver construction documents that are technically sound, coordinated, constructible, maintainable, energy-efficient, and on schedule.

Nice-to-haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license, or the ability to obtain one within an established timeframe.
Experience with complex HVAC, hydronic, process utility, or laboratory ventilation systems.
Experience with compressed gas systems, plumbing systems and vacuum systems.
Experience with Revit, AutoCAD, Trane TRACE, HAP, IES-VE or comparable engineering/design software.
Experience with commissioning, TAB, startup, or construction-phase services.
Familiarity with sustainable design (ASHRAE 90.1) and energy-efficiency requirements.
Experience developing mechanical specifications and design standards.
Demonstrated experience reviewing technical work and mentoring engineers or designers.
Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment
Work may also include onsite visits to existing mechanical/electrical rooms and ladder use to observe above ceiling and high elevation building elements.
Additional Information
Testing Designated Position

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

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Effort: medium

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Health Insurance

Dental

Vision

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