Cognizant Mechanical System Engineer (Mechanical Nuclear Facilities Engineer 1/2)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 106,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance and benefits

Dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Relocation packages

PTO and holidays

Job summary

Los Alamos National Security LLC is seeking a Nuclear Facilities Engineer (Level 1 or 2) to join Engineering Services and support Vital Safety Systems at WETF. The role involves maintaining the technical baseline, reviewing design outputs, and coordinating with multiple disciplines in a nuclear facility environment.

Level 2 adds mentoring, procurement definitions for nuclear QA, and project planning responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Broad engineering experience with design for new facilities and modifications.
• Experience developing engineering drawings, specs, calculations, TIPs and SSIs.
• Knowledge of nuclear facility engineering principles, safety analyses, and DOE/NNSA standards.
• Ability to articulate concepts through various oral and written media.

Responsibilities

• Qualify as a Cognizant System Engineer (CSE) for WETF facilities.
• Assess, maintain, upgrade systems to support operations and programs.
• Support configuration management and technical reviews of designs.
• Maintain MEL and ensure code-compliance of third-party designs.
• Conduct facility walkdowns and prepare System Health Reports.

Skills

Nuclear facility engineering knowledge

System health analysis

Configuration management

Engineering judgement

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

PE license desirable

Job description

What You Will Do

As a Nuclear Facilities Engineer with Engineering Services, you will function as a Cognizant Mechanical System Engineer (CSE) assigned to Vital Safety Systems at the Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility (WETF). WETF is part of the portfolio of facilities located within LANL’s Weapons Facilities Operations (WFO). WFO works hand in hand with nuclear weapons R&D groups to develop and maintain the nation’s weapons stockpile. The CSE serves as the best‑integrated source of expert knowledge for a given system or component in their assigned facilities and therefore is responsible for a wide range of support activities. The CSE provides a technical interface to existing facility systems and components in the assigned facilities. In this role you will control and maintain the technical baseline and master equipment list of the assigned systems, and review and concur with design modification outputs as requested by the FDAR. The CSE will evaluate, maintain, troubleshoot, and replace facility support equipment and will coordinate with multiple disciplines, and support configuration management of assigned systems.

Note: This position will be filled at either the Nuclear Facilities Engineer 1 or 2 level depending on the skills and/or experience of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level. Other engineering disciplines may be considered for this job posting, i.e. Mechanical, Structural, etc.

Nuclear Facilities Engineer Level 1 ($96,600 - $158,000)

• 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 in effective 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
• Provide control and maintenance of the technical baseline of the facility equipment
• Reviews and approves conceptual and detailed designs that ensure third‑party designs are code‑compliant and meet our customer’s needs
• Assess condition of existing facilities and infrastructure systems
• Expertly apply engineering judgement to engineering challenges
• Work to scope both internally and externally executed design projects
• Review high‑level design deliverables including drawings, specifications, test and inspection plans (TIPs), statements of special inspections (SSIs), and calculations
• Adhere to LANL’s Engineering Standards, Conduct of Engineering, prevailing codes and standards
• Support organizational initiatives for improvements of design and business practices
• Control and maintain the master equipment list (MEL) for assigned facilities
• Perform regular facility system walkdowns and System Health Reports
• Provide information for preventative maintenance schedule and review IWDs

Nuclear Facilities Engineer Level 2 ($106,400 - $176,000)

In addition to duties listed above, the level 2 role includes the following job duties:

• 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
• Implements 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

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• 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 engineering, project engineering, or design engineering
• 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 particular engineering discipline
• Ability to articulate concepts through various oral and written communication media, using a diverse range of technical and business acumen

Additional Job Requirements (Level 2)

• 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

Education/Experience (Level 1)

Position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and 2 years of practical work experience necessary to perform the responsibilities outlined above. Advanced engineering or technical degree is highly desired. Current registration as a Engineer in Training (EIT) is highly desirable.

Education/Experience (Level 2)

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.

Desired Qualifications

• 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

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—, 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 childbirth and parental leave
• Award‑winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. 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. 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.

DOE Order 426.2

This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

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

Laboratory employees applying for regular‑status positions are converted to regular status.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to 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 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 [e-mail] or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2.