Mechanical Engineer

Search Jobs - INL Professional Careers; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 95,000 - 234,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Idaho National Laboratory is seeking a Mechanical Engineer in the Reactor Project Engineering department to design and analyze mechanical systems for advanced nuclear reactors and related facilities. You will collaborate with scientists and engineers to develop designs that meet project goals and codes, with multi-level responsibilities and a DOE clearance requirement.

The role involves mentoring junior staff, leading new project development, and ensuring designs comply with technical baselines.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles for technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Knowledge of national consensus codes and standards relevant to assigned scope.
• Practical application of engineering science and technology.
• Ability to apply general rules to specific problems.
• Ability to combine information to form general rules or conclusions.
• Effective listening and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze mechanical systems to meet requirements per project docs and standards.
• Review adequacy of designs prepared by external organizations.
• Decompose project goals into defined design requirements.
• Develop physics-based models of mechanical systems.
• Monitor and evaluate plant systems and recommend maintenance.

Skills

Design techniques

Codes & standards

Engineering analysis

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in engineering

ABET-accredited program

Job description

As a Mechanical Engineer in the Reactor Project Engineering department at Idaho National Laboratory, you’ll shape the future of national energy supply by performing mechanical design and analysis of advanced nuclear reactors and associated systems. You’ll collaborate with world‑class scientists and engineers to develop designs that enable advanced nuclear reactor projects through multiple INL program sponsors. This position is located at our Materials and Fuels Complex, which hosts the core of the U.S. nuclear research and development capabilities with a diverse array of nuclear facilities and reactor experiment test beds.In this role you will collaborate with multiple organizations within INL and external reactor developer partners. Our team works a 4x10 schedule every Friday off.

Essential Job Functions:

• Design and analyze mechanical systems to meet requirements in accordance with project documentation and relevant codes and standards for advanced nuclear reactors and associated facilities and systems.
• Review and determine adequacy of mechanical designs prepared by external organizations
• Decompose project goals into defined and controlled design requirements.
• Use best practices in design methodologies to develop and validate designs.
• Develop physics-based mathematical models of mechanical systems.
• Apply national consensus codes and standards.
• Document designs to establish conformance with requirements and standards.
• Establish testing, inspection, and quality requirements.
• Provide oversight of mechanical system fabrication, installation, and construction using applicable field experience.
• Develop mechanical system requirements, perform designs, and support fabrication, inspection, assembly, and testing.
• Develop systems/equipment performance calculations and develop appropriate design specifications.
• Monitor and evaluate plant systems, recommend maintenance and repair standards, and identify vendor data and spare parts.
• Support and lead new project development, including proposals and business plans.
• Ensure design modifications meet technical baseline requirements and applicable codes.
• Maintain configuration management of the technical baseline and assigned systems.
• Mentor and train junior engineering staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles for technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Knowledge of national consensus codes and standards relevant to assigned scope.
• Practical application of engineering science and technology.
• Ability to apply general rules to specific problems.
• Ability to combine information to form general rules or conclusions.
• Effective listening and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to recognize when something is wrong or likely to go wrong.

Required:

• Level 3: Bachelor’s in engineering or engineering technology or other related field and 5 years experience.Master’s and 2 years experience. PhD and 2 years of experience
• Level 4: Bachelor's in engineering or engineering technology or other related field and 9 years of experience. Master's and 6 years of experience. PhD and 4 years of experience.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy "Q" clearance, which requires US Citizenship.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Advanced degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related engineering field from an ABET-accredited institution.

Job Information:

• The pay range for this position is: Level 3 ($95,256 - $195,288)/ Level 4 ($114,360 - $234,336). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.
• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds without assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

About Us

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)
• 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 .

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.

Other Information:

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.

INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.

Job Info

• Job Identification 1956
• Posting Date 08/14/2026, 04:36 PM
• Apply Before 08/29/2026, 05:55 AM
• Degree Level Bachelor Degree
• Job Schedule Full time
• Regular or Temporary Regular
• Locations 2525 Fremont Ave, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415, US (On-site)