Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3/4 - Shift Technical Engineer

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 125,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks Nuclear Facilities Engineers to join a brand‑new Shift Technical Engineering Team for 24/7 operations at TA‑55. Roles are at Engineer level 3 or 4 with pay ranges shown and opportunities for mentorship.

The position requires a Bachelor's in Engineering and a strong technical background in nuclear facility operation and safety. You will contribute to Technical Safety Requirements, interface with multiple groups, and support ongoing construction activities with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering with 6+ years of applicable experience for lower level, or 12+ for higher level.
• Experience in operating facilities such as nuclear, power, or industrial plants.
• Familiarity with design and operation of pumps, motors, HVAC, gensets, electrical distribution.
• Understanding of instrumentation and control systems in facilities.
• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical and electrical systems.
• Experience preparing technical reports and studies for Technical Baseline.
• Strong communication of technical issues to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and coordinate with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day‑to‑day operations of the Plutonium Facility as STE, ensuring safety and efficiency.
• Interface with Operations Center, Maintenance, and programmatic groups to meet goals.
• Mentor peers and lead multi‑discipline teams on complex challenges.

Skills

Operating facility experience

Facility equipment knowledge

Instrumentation & controls

Mechanical & electrical troubleshoot

Technical reporting & studies

Effective communication

Verbal & written engineering solutions

Independent work capability

Stakeholder coordination

Cover-letter articulation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

ASME BPVC

NEC

Job description

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Nuclear Facilities Engineer level 3 or level 4, 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. Join a fast paced and performance-focused team supporting nuclear operations in defense of our nation! The Plutonium Facilities Engineering Division Essential Balance of Plant Group (PFE-EBP) at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking multiple experienced Nuclear Facility Engineers to be part of a brand-new Shift Technical Engineering Team, a mission‑critical team that will support 24/7 operations at the TA‑55 Plutonium Facility. This position will work rotating 12‑hour shifts aligned with the TA‑55 Operations Center.

Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 ($125,200 – $211,300)

As a Shift Technical Engineer (STE), you will be responsible for ensuring safe and efficient day‑to‑day operations of the Plutonium Facility. You will provide broad technical expertise and input to the Operations Center and will also interface with Programmatic Groups, Maintenance Groups, and others to help ensure accomplishment of the LANL mission. You will provide proactive support to ensure Technical Safety Requirements, including Limiting Conditions of Operation and Documented Safety Analyses, are met. You will also act as the first point of contact for technical and operating challenges that arise during ongoing construction activities at the plutonium facility.

Nuclear Facilities Engineer 4 ($150,300 – $260,800)

In addition to the description above, engineers in this position will have broad cross‑discipline expertise (mechanical, electrical, structural, chemical), will have a core understanding of operation in a nuclear facility, and will provide mentorship and leadership to peers.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Demonstrated technical experience in an operating facility (e.g., nuclear facility, power plants, industrial facilities, etc.).
• Demonstrated familiarity with the design and operation of standard facility equipment to include pumps, motors, HVAC systems, diesel generators, electrical distribution systems, etc.
• Understanding of facility instrumentation and control systems.
• Demonstrated experience in troubleshooting mechanical and electrical systems.
• Demonstrated experience assisting with preparing technical reports and studies as part of establishing and maintaining Technical Baseline for new and existing facility structural systems.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate technical issues to a broad audience.
• Ability to effectively communicate engineering solutions both verbally and written with management, customers, peers, and craft personnel.
• Ability to work independently with minimal guidance for assigned tasks.
• Demonstrated experience interfacing and coordinating with stakeholders on technical matters.
• To be considered for the position, please submit a detailed cover letter addressing how you meet the minimum and desired qualifications.

Additional Job Requirements for Nuclear Facilities Engineer 4:

• Demonstrated ability to mentor peers.
• Demonstrated ability troubleshooting complex problems and leading multi‑discipline teams to success.
• Demonstrated broad cross‑discipline experience in operating facilities (mechanical, electrical, structural, chemical, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience with facility instrumentation and control systems.

Education/Experience

Lower 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.

Higher level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 12 years of practical work experience necessary to perform the responsibilities outlined above.

This position may be subject to DOE O 426.2A, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities. The DOE Order establishes entry‑level requirements to ensure employees in the positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

Desired Qualifications

• Prior experience as an SRO, STE, STA, operations technician, non‑licensed operator, etc. at a nuclear facility is highly desired.
• Familiarity with LANL Conduct of Operations, Engineering Standards, and Configuration Management.
• Familiarity with nuclear facility Technical Safety Requirements, Limiting Conditions of Operation, and Documented Safety Analyses (Safety Analysis Reports).
• Experience with shift work.
• Knowledge of DOE Orders and Standards pertaining to operating nuclear facilities.
• Knowledge of relevant Codes and Standards such as ASME BPVC and the NEC.

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

• To be considered for the position, please submit a detailed cover letter addressing how you meet the minimum and desired qualifications.
• Employees may be eligible for shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift/weekend assignments are at the discretion of the manager.
• Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of 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

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.

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.

Incentive Compensation Program

Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1 st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, October 31. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.

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 applicable 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 a disability accommodation, email [e-mail] or call (505) 664‑6947, opt. 3.