Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3/4 (Structural Engineer)
Los Alamos National Security LLC
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from ABET-accredited institution.
- Minimum 6 years (for Engineer 3) or 12 years (for Engineer 4) of relevant experience.
- Experience with Hazard Category 2 and 3 nuclear facilities preferred.
Responsibilities
- Ensure compliance and operational safety of nuclear facilities.
- Develop and oversee complex engineering solutions for nuclear facility safety.
- Lead engineering efforts and mentor junior engineers.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
This position will be filled at either Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 or 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.
The Plutonium Facilities Engineering Division (PFE-DO) and Rapid Response Team (PFE-RRT) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) are seeking Structural Engineers. Apply your structural engineering expertise where it truly matters—join our exceptional Plutonium Facilities Engineering team. Here, innovation and critical thinking are at the heart of everything we do, and every voice has the power to shape meaningful solutions. This is your opportunity to contribute to vital systems that safeguard national security and drive real-world impact!
($128,000 – $215,900). As a Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3, you will play a critical role in advancing the Lab’s national security mission by ensuring the safe, compliant, and high‑performance operation of Hazard Category 2 and 3 nuclear facilities. This position builds upon the foundational responsibilities of the NFE 2 role and requires a deeper command of nuclear facility engineering principles to support system design, configuration management, and long‑range mission needs.
You will apply broad, in‑depth knowledge of DOE Orders, nuclear safety requirements, and national consensus codes—including ASCE, ACI, AISC, NFPA, and IBC—to develop engineering solutions that uphold the highest standards of safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. Engineers at this level serve as technical authorities, lead portions of project and design work, guide system performance, and contribute to engineering strategies that ensure mission execution across complex, high‑consequence facilities.
($153,600 – $266,500). As a Nuclear Facilities Engineer 4, you will serve as a senior technical leader responsible for shaping nuclear facility engineering strategies that directly support the Lab’s national security mission. This position requires expert‑level knowledge of nuclear facility engineering, design authority principles, and the regulatory framework that governs Hazard Category 2 and 3 nuclear facilities.
You will apply advanced engineering judgment and extensive experience with DOE Orders, NNSA requirements, and national codes such as ASCE, ACI, AISC, NFPA, and IBC to develop, approve, and oversee complex engineering solutions that ensure long‑term facility safety, performance, and readiness. Engineers at this level are recognized subject‑matter experts who lead major engineering efforts, resolve unique or exceptionally complex technical challenges, mentor future leaders, and influence the strategic direction of nuclear facility operations across the Laboratory.
- Strong knowledge of nonreactor nuclear facility structural systems, calculations, and engineering methods that support safe and compliant facility operation.
- Demonstrated proficiency using structural analysis and computer aided engineering tools such as SAP2000, GT STRUDL, RISA, or STAAD to solve complex technical problems.
- Solid understanding of engineering work planning, construction practices, and control methods used in high consequence facility environments.
- Experience applying maintenance, inspection, and construction techniques that support long‑term structural integrity, operational reliability, and compliance.
- Working knowledge of Laboratory procedures, technical standards, and design guides relevant to facility engineering activities.
- Thorough understanding of DOE, industry, and national consensus codes and standards including IBC, AISC 360, ACI 318, ASCE 7, and DOE STD 1020.
- Demonstrated ability to apply nuclear facility engineering principles, design guidance, and quality assurance requirements to ensure facility safety and regulatory compliance.
- Ability to execute project and process engineering practices including configuration management, work control, and disciplined design documentation.
- Experience integrating engineering inputs across structural, mechanical, electrical, and other technical disciplines to produce coordinated and defensible technical solutions.
- Proven ability to perform and document detailed calculations, evaluations, and analyses in support of facility design, modification, or operational decisions.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively to deliver safe, compliant, and mission‑aligned engineering outcomes.
- Demonstrated capability to interpret and apply DOE Orders, nuclear safety requirements, and national consensus codes in the development of engineering solutions.
- Experience performing system engineering, design engineering, or project engineering functions within complex facility environments.
- Ability to manage configuration, operability, and performance of assigned systems using a graded and risk‑informed approach.
- Experience coordinating effectively with operations, maintenance, and project management personnel to ensure safe and compliant execution of work.
- Ability to lead technical tasks, mentor junior team members, and independently resolve moderately complex engineering issues.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Q clearance.
In addition to the Level 3 requirements, the Nuclear Facilities Engineer 4 must demonstrate expert command of nuclear facility engineering, including the ability to resolve uniquely complex structural and system‑level challenges using advanced analytical methods and professional judgment. The Level 4 engineer is expected to function as a senior technical authority by applying DOE and industry standards at an expert level, providing design authority support, approving high‑consequence engineering decisions, and directing large or strategically significant engineering efforts across disciplines. This role requires the ability to shape technical direction, lead peer reviews, mentor engineers, interpret and adapt standards for novel situations, and integrate inputs from diverse stakeholders to produce defensible solutions to unprecedented or multidimensional facility challenges.
Current registration as an Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT) is highly desirable.
Position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an ABET‑accredited college or university and a minimum of 6 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.
Position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an ABET‑accredited college or university and a minimum of 12 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.
- Advanced degree in engineering or a related technical field.
- Experience supporting LANL or DOE complex Hazard Category 2 and 3 nuclear facilities.
- Expertise in nuclear safety basis, criticality safety, engineered safety features, and configuration management.
- Experience with engineering work planning and control, construction methodologies, and maintenance programs in nuclear environments.
- Professional Engineering license.
- Experience developing or overseeing technical procurements requiring nuclear quality assurance.
- Demonstrated record of technical leadership, peer review, mentorship, and fostering an inclusive, collaborative work environment.
General Physical Mobility: standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending. Specific Physical Mobility: use of both hands, use of both arms, use of both legs, use of both feet, carry/lift up to 20 pounds.
Work in a noisy environment, work near sources of ionizing and non‑ionizing radiation, work near machinery with moving parts, working overtime or an irregular schedule.
4/10 schedule. This position may require 24/7 coverage, which could involve working a shift/weekend schedule. Employees may be eligible for shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift/weekend assignments are at the discretion of the manager.
Work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
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.
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.
- 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)
The higher level 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 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
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, spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by 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.
Employment with Triad requires a favourable 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.
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. The role requires a Q clearance and obtaining such clearance requires U.S. citizenship except in very limited circumstances. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorisation is ultimately a decision of the Federal Government.
This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 712, §712.11. These requirements include ongoing drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.
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.
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