Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2/3 (Mechanical Project Engineer) at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Job description

What You Will Do This position is open for external candidates only to apply. This position will be filled at either the Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2/3 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 Construction Readiness Office (CRO) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Mechanical Nuclear Facilities Engineer (NFE 2/3) to support mission-critical infrastructure, operational readiness, startup integration, and construction execution activities across Laboratory facilities and modernization projects. The selected candidate will support the Team Lead supporting complex construction and readiness efforts associated with institutional and nuclear facility projects. This role will provide technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle including planning, design coordination, construction execution, commissioning, startup integration, operational turnover, and closeout activities. The Mechanical NFE will work closely with project management teams, facility operations, engineering organizations, construction management, startup/testing personnel, subcontractors, and institutional stakeholders to ensure mechanical systems are designed, installed, tested, commissioned, and transitioned to operations safely and effectively. This position requires strong technical expertise, operational awareness, field execution experience, and the ability to independently resolve complex engineering and project integration challenges in highly regulated and high-consequence environments. The successful candidate will support the Laboratory's national security mission through infrastructure modernization, facility readiness, operational integration, and project execution excellence. Mechanical Engineer 2 ($106,400 - $176,000) • Ensures safety and security compliance and reinforces expectations across work activities, including stopping work when conditions are unsafe or compromise security. • Applies and enforces nuclear facility engineering policies, procedures, and DOE and NNSA regulatory requirements. Evaluates regulatory changes and complex technical issues to develop and implement defensible engineering solutions. • Manages the performance, configuration, and operability of nuclear facility systems and engineered safety features. Defines design requirements and ensures systems meet safety, quality, and mission objectives. • Leads development of engineering analyses, designs, and technical deliverables supporting nuclear facility operations. Advances engineering concepts, standards, and practices. • Performs and reviews hazard and accident analyses, establishes hazard controls, and develops safety basis documentation and system management programs supporting Vital Safety systems and facility modifications. • Resolves complex engineering issues and interfaces with internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory authorities, to ensure compliance and timely delivery. • Leads and executes significant portions of projects for Hazard Category 2 and 3 nuclear facilities. Develops and implements project plans and defines procurement requirements for nuclear quality related goods and services. • Operates with a high degree of independence and technical judgment. Manages priorities, including emergent work, and contributes to organizational goals. • Performs peer reviews, ensures quality of engineering deliverables, and mentors junior staff. Mechanical Engineer 3 ($128,000 - $215,900) • Ensures safety and security compliance, maintains required training, and integrates both into all work activities, including stopping work when conditions are unsafe or compromise security. • Applies and enforces nuclear facility engineering policies, procedures, and DOE and NNSA regulatory requirements. Leads evaluation of regulatory changes and technical data to resolve moderately complex engineering issues. • Manages the performance, configuration, and operability of nuclear facility systems and engineered safety features using a risk based graded approach. Provides design authority support for operations and maintenance to ensure continued operational readiness. • Leads development of engineering analyses, designs, and technical deliverables supporting nuclear facility operations. Contributes to advancement of engineering concepts, standards, and practices. • Leads significant portions of projects or teams and resolves moderately complex technical issues requiring analysis and judgment. Collaborates across engineering, operations, maintenance, and project teams to ensure delivery of mission objectives. • Develops and implements project plans for system design, installation, commissioning, and operation. Defines procurement requirements for nuclear quality related goods and services. • Operates with substantial independence. Assignments are often self initiated and largely self supervised, contributing to organizational goals and long range objectives. • Performs peer reviews and mentor's junior staff. Fosters a respectful and inclusive work environment. What You Need Minimum Job Requirements: • Familiarity with construction readiness, facility operations, infrastructure modernization, startup integration, commissioning, or project execution activities supporting nuclear, industrial, or mission-critical facilities. • Experience supporting engineering projects through portions of the project lifecycle including scope development, design reviews, construction support, testing, commissioning, operational turnover, readiness verification, and closeout activities. • Demonstrated experience in engineering design, field engineering support, system troubleshooting, engineering analysis, and implementation support within operational or construction environments. • Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, design packages, work control documents, and construction documentation. • Familiarity with engineering software tools, configuration management systems, and document control processes. • Understanding of engineering codes and standards, configuration management, quality assurance requirements, and engineering review processes. • Knowledge of construction practices, system installation, testing activities, and design-for-installation or design-for-manufacturing principles. • Ability to support field walkdowns, readiness assessments, turnover activities, deficiency identification, and corrective action resolution. • Familiarity with multidisciplinary coordination involving engineering, construction, operations, maintenance, startup/testing organizations, and project management teams. Additional Job Requirements for Mechanical Engineer 3: In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requ i res: • Advanced experience supporting construction readiness, operational integration, startup coordination, commissioning, infrastructure modernization, or project execution activities in nuclear, industrial, or mission-critical environments. • Experience supporting the full engineering and project lifecycle including requirements development, engineering design reviews, construction execution, testing, commissioning, readiness verification, operational turnover, and project closeout. • Advanced expertise in engineering analysis, system troubleshooting, field engineering support, technical integration, and project execution coordination. • Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating multidisciplinary engineering and project teams in complex operational or construction environments. • Advanced understanding of engineering design documentation, work packages, construction specifications, configuration management, and change control processes. • Experience reviewing and validating engineering deliverables, design packages, testing documentation, turnover packages, and readiness verification documentation. • Strong understanding of engineering codes, standards, quality requirements, contractor assurance principles, and operational readiness expectations. • Experience coordinating engineering implementation activities with construction management, facility operations, maintenance, startup/testing organizations, procurement personnel, and subcontractors. • Demonstrated ability to independently resolve complex technical issues, evaluate project risks, and support engineering decision-making during project execution. • Knowledge of project controls, schedule integration, readiness milestone tracking, and operational transition processes. 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. Education/Experience at higher 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. Desired Qualifications: • Knowledge of engineering maintenance techniques and construction methodologies. • Familiarity with Laboratory procedures, standards, guides, and LANL engineering processes. • Knowledge of DOE standards applicable to facility design, operation, and maintenance. • Understanding of engineering principles, safety basis interaction, design guides, appropriate standards, and administrative practices for DOE non reactor nuclear and high hazard facilities. • Advanced degree in a related field is preferred. • Current registration as an Engineer in Training or Professional Engineer is desirable. Work Environment: 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. Where You Will Work Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes: • PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network • Dental and vision insurance • Free basic life and disability insurance • Paid maternity and parental leave • Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually) • Learning opportunities and tuition assistance • Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, and holidays) • Onsite gyms and wellness programs • Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius) Additional Details Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2 . Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A. Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad. *Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information. New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer. Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status. Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.

Requirements

Must-haves

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.
Mechanical Engineer 2 ($106,400 - $176,000)
Ensures safety and security compliance and reinforces expectations across work activities, including stopping work when conditions are unsafe or compromise security.
Manages the performance, configuration, and operability of nuclear facility systems and engineered safety features. Defines design requirements and ensures systems meet safety, quality, and mission objectives.
Leads development of engineering analyses, designs, and technical deliverables supporting nuclear facility operations. Advances engineering concepts, standards, and practices.
Performs and reviews hazard and accident analyses, establishes hazard controls, and develops safety basis documentation and system management programs supporting Vital Safety systems and facility modifications.
Resolves complex engineering issues and interfaces with internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory authorities, to ensure compliance and timely delivery.
Operates with a high degree of independence and technical judgment. Manages priorities, including emergent work, and contributes to organizational goals.
Performs peer reviews, ensures quality of engineering deliverables, and mentors junior staff.
Mechanical Engineer 3 ($128,000 - $215,900)
Ensures safety and security compliance, maintains required training, and integrates both into all work activities, including stopping work when conditions are unsafe or compromise security.
Leads development of engineering analyses, designs, and technical deliverables supporting nuclear facility operations. Contributes to advancement of engineering concepts, standards, and practices.
Develops and implements project plans for system design, installation, commissioning, and operation. Defines procurement requirements for nuclear quality related goods and services.
Operates with substantial independence. Assignments are often self initiated and largely self supervised, contributing to organizational goals and long range objectives.
Performs peer reviews and mentor's junior staff. Fosters a respectful and inclusive work environment.
What You Need
Demonstrated experience in engineering design, field engineering support, system troubleshooting, engineering analysis, and implementation support within operational or construction environments.
Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, design packages, work control documents, and construction documentation.

Nice-to-haves

Knowledge of engineering maintenance techniques and construction methodologies.
Familiarity with Laboratory procedures, standards, guides, and LANL engineering processes.
Knowledge of DOE standards applicable to facility design, operation, and maintenance.
Understanding of engineering principles, safety basis interaction, design guides, appropriate standards, and administrative practices for DOE non reactor nuclear and high hazard facilities.
Advanced degree in a related field is preferred.
Current registration as an Engineer in Training or Professional Engineer is desirable.

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Benefits

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Dental

Vision

401(K)

Parental Leave

Wellness