Civil Engineer – AI and Automation

Idaho National Laboratory; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 79,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible?

401(k) with a 4.2% employer contrib. &

Paid time off (personal leave)

Employee Education Program

Comprehensive Relocation Package

Job summary

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Civil Engineer – AI and Automation to develop, deploy, and support AI-enabled engineering tools across mobile, embedded, desktop, and web platforms, at the intersection of AI and structural design for nuclear energy applications.

The role involves building FEM models, BIM/IFC data integration, and Python workflows to automate design checks, safety analyses, and licensing documentation, with a 9x80 schedule and every other Friday off.

Qualifications

• PhD in Civil or Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience with BIM/IFC.
• Knowledge with Finite Element Analysis.
• Familiarity with agentic programming.
• Python.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural engineering analysis and design for buildings and structures that house nuclear processing equipment.
• Develop and maintain structural, mechanical, and piping models using BIM/IFC data schemas to support multidisciplinary design coordination and data interoperability across engineering teams.
• Build, run, and validate Finite Element Models (FEM) to evaluate structural and mechanical component behavior.
• Design and develop Python-based software tools, scripts, and workflows to automate and accelerate structural, mechanical, and piping engineering tasks such as code‑compliance checks, load calculations, drawing/model data extraction, and design iteration.
• Design, build, and deploy agentic AI systems that automate portions of the engineering lifecycle, including design checks, safety analysis support, and licensing documentation workflows.
• Translate civil/structural and mechanical engineering domain knowledge (codes, standards, calculation methods) into requirements and logic that can be encoded into AI/ML models and autonomous agents.
• Integrate BIM/IFC model data into AI and automation pipelines to enable use cases such as automated quantity takeoff, structural code compliance screening, and model‑based design review.
• Contribute to the publication of research findings in peer‑reviewed journals and technical conference proceedings.

Skills

Python

Agentic programming

Finite Element Analysis

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Civil or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

BIM/IFC

Job description

Job Description

Idaho National Laboratory needs a Civil Engineer – AI and Automation professional to develop, deploy, and support innovative technical solutions across platforms including mobile, embedded, desktop, and web-based capabilities supporting programmatic goals. We are seeking a Civil Engineer to join our team at the intersection of artificial intelligence and structural design for nuclear energy applications. In this role, you will contribute to the design, development, and integration of digital and agentic AI systems that automate and accelerate engineering workflows across design, safety, and licensing domains. Working alongside experienced engineers and domain experts, you will gain hands‑on experience applying cutting‑edge AI and machine learning techniques to some of the most technically demanding challenges in the energy sector.

Job Description

Idaho National Laboratory needs a Civil Engineer – AI and Automation professional to develop, deploy, and support innovative technical solutions across platforms including mobile, embedded, desktop, and web-based capabilities supporting programmatic goals. We are seeking a Civil Engineer to join our team at the intersection of artificial intelligence and structural design for nuclear energy applications. In this role, you will contribute to the design, development, and integration of digital and agentic AI systems that automate and accelerate engineering workflows across design, safety, and licensing domains. Working alongside experienced engineers and domain experts, you will gain hands‑on experience applying cutting‑edge AI and machine learning techniques to some of the most technically demanding challenges in the energy sector.

Essential Job Functions And Responsibilities

• Perform structural engineering analysis and design for buildings and structures that house nuclear processing equipment.


• Develop and maintain structural, mechanical, and piping models using Building Information Modeling (BIM) platforms and IFC-based data schemas to support multidisciplinary design coordination and data interoperability across engineering teams.


• Build, run, and validate Finite Element Models (FEM) to evaluate structural and mechanical component behavior.


• Design and develop Python-based software tools, scripts, and workflows to automate and accelerate structural, mechanical, and piping engineering tasks such as code‑compliance checks, load calculations, drawing/model data extraction, and design iteration.


• Design, build, and deploy agentic AI systems that automate portions of the engineering lifecycle, including design checks, safety analysis support, and licensing documentation workflows.


• Translate civil/structural and mechanical engineering domain knowledge (codes, standards, calculation methods) into requirements and logic that can be encoded into AI/ML models and autonomous agents.


• Integrate BIM/IFC model data into AI and automation pipelines to enable use cases such as automated quantity takeoff, structural code compliance screening, and model‑based design review.


• Contribute to the publication of research findings in peer‑reviewed journals and technical conference proceedings.

Required

• PhD in Civil or Mechanical Engineering.


• Experience with in BIM/IFC.


• Knowledge with Finite Element Analysis.


• Familiarity with agentic programming.


• Python.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess

• Education or experience in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands to handle materials, manipulate tools, keyboard and type, reach with hands and arms, and operate job‑related equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Civil Engineer – AI and Automation to work on our Autonomous Engineering team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our C3 facility with every other Friday off.

• The pay range for this position is $79,344 - $162,732. At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts


• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)


• Paid time off (personal leave)


• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)


• Comprehensive Relocation Package


• Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

INL is a science‑based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

INL Mission

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov .

Equal Employment Opportunity

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.