Cognizant Mechanical System Engineer

Strategic Management Solutions, LLC (SMSI); Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Strategic Management Solutions, LLC (SMSI) seeks a Mechanical Nuclear Facilities Engineer to act as Cognizant Mechanical System Engineer for LANL in Los Alamos, NM. Active DOE Q clearance and onsite work 4–5 days per week are required; 30–40 hours weekly with preference for 40 hours.

The role involves establishing technical baselines, maintaining MEL, reviewing design deliverables, and coordinating with multiple disciplines to sustain facility reliability.

Qualifications

• 10–12 years of engineering experience required.
• Experience with DOE and weapons programs is required.
• Experience in design for new facilities and facility modifications.

Responsibilities

• Qualify as a Cognizant System Engineer (CSE) at LANL.
• Assess, maintain, and upgrade systems at WETF to support operations.
• Support configuration management, operations, and project programs.
• Review and approve conceptual and detailed designs for code compliance.
• Develop mentoring and training for junior staff.
• Define requirements for purchasing technical goods/services.
• Implement project plans for design, installation, commissioning, or operation.

Skills

DOE Q clearance

Nuclear facility engineering

System engineering

Design engineering

Engineering drawings

Project engineering

Safety analysis

Communication skills

Facilities maintenance

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Advanced degree desirable

PE registration desirable

Job description

Strategic Management Solutions, LLC (SMSI) provides expert management consulting, program and project management, and technical consulting services to government and private‑sector clients. SMSI has built a strong reputation for client‑focused performance, delivering innovative solutions and measurable results that help clients achieve their goals, meet critical commitments, and successfully reach key milestones.

Job Summary

SMSI, LLC is seeking a full‑time Mechanical Nuclear Facilities Engineer to function as a Cognizant Mechanical System Engineer (CSE) to support our Technical Services team in the Weapons Surveillance Systems area at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in Los Alamos, NM. This position requires an active DOE Q clearance and the ability to work onsite at LANL 4–5 days per week. This is a full‑time position requiring a minimum commitment of 30 hours per week, with a preference for candidates available to work 40 hours per week. The Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility (WETF) is part of the portfolio of facilities managed by Los Alamos National Laboratory’s (LANL) Weapons Facilities Operations (WFO), which works closely with nuclear weapons organizations to develop, maintain, and sustain the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile. The Cognizant System Engineer (CSE) serves as the primary technical authority and integrated source of expertise for assigned systems and components within their designated facilities. This role encompasses a broad range of engineering and technical support responsibilities, including serving as the technical interface for existing facility systems and components. The CSE is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and controlling the technical baseline and Master Equipment List for assigned systems, as well as reviewing and concurring with design modification deliverables at the request of the Facility Design Authority Representative (FDAR). Additionally, the CSE evaluates, maintains, troubleshoots, and replaces facility support equipment to ensure continued system reliability and performance. The role requires close coordination with multiple engineering and technical disciplines and active support of configuration management activities to ensure the integrity, accuracy, and compliance of assigned systems throughout their operational lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Qualify as a Cognizant System Engineer (CSE) at one of our nation’s top scientific laboratories
• Assess, maintain, and upgrade systems at WETF to support facility operations and programmatic needs
• As system owner's representative this position will support the following focus areas: Configuration Management, Technical Support to Operations and Maintenance, System Health Status and Performance, and Technical Support to Programs and Projects
• Represent Engineering Services Division as a leader ineffective and efficient project execution
• Follow the LANL Conduct of Engineering (CoE) Program in support of facility modifications and facility configuration management in accordance with the LANL Engineering Standards Manual (ESM), LANL Administrative Procedures (APs), LANL Master Specifications, and related Codes and Standards
• Reviews and approves conceptual and detailed designs that ensure third‑party designs are code‑compliant and meet our customers’ needs
• Assess condition of existing facilities and infrastructure systems
• Developing mentoring and training skills for junior staff
• Defines the requirements for the purchasing of technical goods and services that require additional nuclear facility quality assurance
• Implement project plans for the design, installation, commissioning, or operation of nuclear facility systems
• Assignments are occasionally self‑initiated and often self‑supervised
• Control and maintain the master equipment list (MEL) for assigned systems

Required Skills/ Abilities

• 10‑12 years of experience is required.
• Experience working with DOE and weapons is required.
• Demonstrated broad‑based engineering experience with projects involving design for new facilities and facility modifications
• Experience in the development of engineering drawings, specifications, calculations, test and inspection plans (TIPs),and statements of special inspection (SSIs)
• Knowledge of nuclear facility engineering in one or more of the following, nuclear criticality safety analysis, safety basis, system engineer, project engineer, or design engineer
• Knowledge of nuclear facility engineering principles and procedures, guides, appropriate standards, and administrative practices
• Working knowledge of industry, regulatory, or Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) complex codes, standards, and criteria pertinent to the engineering discipline
• Ability to articulate concepts through various oral and written communication media, using a diverse range of technical and business acumen
• Broad and/or unique knowledge of nuclear facility engineering systems, processes, and calculations; application of nuclear facility engineering methods; and application of technology aided nuclear facility engineering tools to nuclear facility engineering problems
• Knowledge of nuclear facility engineering work planning and control methods
• Knowledge of engineering maintenance techniques and construction methodologies
• Thorough knowledge of industry, regulatory, or Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) complex codes, standards, and criteria pertinent to the nuclear facility engineering discipline
• This person must be able to work onsite at LANL during regular business hours 4‑5 days per week.
• The candidate must be US Citizen.
• The candidate must have an active DOE Q clearance OR a recently inactive DOE Q clearance that can be reinstated quickly.
• The candidate must have an active Real ID driver’s license for badging and onboarding.

Desired Skills

• A background in Naval Nuclear is a plus
• Engineering degree and/or experience with facility engineering/systems is strongly preferred
• Facility operations or engineering experience within a nuclear facility
• Design experience in nuclear, accelerator or industrial facility operations
• Knowledge of DOE and LANL Engineering Standards and Conduct of Engineering Principles and Procedures

Education

• Position requires a bachelor’s degree in related field and years of practical work experience necessary to perform the responsibilities outlined above.
• Advanced education, years of experience or technical degrees are highly desired.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is highly desirable.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Strategic Management Solutions, LLC (SMSI) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.