Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 or 4 (Structural Engineer)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 128,000 - 266,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or high deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)

Job summary

Los Alamos National Security LLC is seeking a Nuclear Facilities Engineer to support plutonium operations. This role encompasses lead engineering activities for nuclear facilities, ensuring compliance with safety and mission requirements. Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, with a minimum of 6 years experience.

Key responsibilities include leading structural design and analysis efforts, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams. Benefits include comprehensive medical insurance, paid parental leave, and a 401(k) plan.

Qualifications

• Broad knowledge of industrial facility systems design, operation, and maintenance.
• Strong knowledge of structural engineering systems, analysis methods, and calculations applicable to nuclear or industrial facilities.
• Ability to perform and evaluate structural analyses and develop solutions to moderately complex engineering problems.

Responsibilities

• Leads structural engineering activities supporting nuclear facility systems.
• Performs and leads structural analyses and design efforts for system modifications.
• Ensures configuration, operability, and performance meet safety basis and mission requirements.

Skills

Structural engineering systems

Knowledge of DOE standards

Proficiency with structural analysis tools

Ability to communicate technical information

Experience with multidisciplinary teams

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Advanced engineering/technical degree

Tools

SAP2000

GT STRUDL

RISA

STAAD

Job description

What You Will Do

Supports the LANL nuclear mission by ensuring the integrity, safety, and performance of structures and systems that support plutonium operations. This work is performed within a highly regulated environment governed by DOE Orders, nuclear safety requirements, national consensus codes, and Laboratory standards.

The Nuclear Facilities Engineering Structural Engineer role serves as a system engineer responsible for structural systems and components that provide confinement, as well as a full range of industrial facility systems including hydronic heating and cooling, compressed gases, supply and exhaust ventilation, and fire protection. Engineers also serve as cognizant system engineers for systems and other engineered components designated as Vital Safety Systems.

1. Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 ($128,000 - $215,900)

• Leads structural engineering activities supporting nuclear facility systems, including gloveboxes, support structures, confinement systems, and other Vital Safety Systems.
• Performs and leads structural analyses and design efforts for system modifications, upgrades, and new installations, including anchorage, support structures, enclosures, and facility interfaces.
• Manages assigned systems or components as a cognizant system engineer, ensuring configuration, operability, and performance meet safety basis and mission requirements.
• Evaluates and implements design changes, ensuring compliance with the Safety Basis, LANL standards, and applicable national codes and standards.
• Leads significant portions of projects or technical efforts, resolving moderately complex structural engineering issues through analysis and sound technical judgment.
• Collaborates across engineering, operations, maintenance, and project teams to ensure alignment, integration, and delivery of engineering solutions.
• Operates with substantial independence. Assignments are often self‑initiated and largely self‑supervised. Mentors junior engineers and supports development of team capability.

Nuclear Facilities Engineer 4 ($153,600 - $266,500)

• Directs structural engineering activities for nuclear facility systems and provides design authority level leadership for assigned systems and components.
• Leads development and approval of complex structural analyses, designs, and technical solutions impacting Vital Safety Systems and facility operations.
• Resolves highly complex or unique engineering issues requiring evaluation of ambiguous conditions, incomplete data, or competing constraints.
• Serves as a technical authority and coordinating figure across organizations, ensuring structural systems meet safety basis requirements and long‑term mission needs.
• Leads projects, programs, or multi‑discipline teams and is accountable for delivery of high‑consequence engineering outcomes supporting Hazard Category 2 and 3 nuclear facilities.
• Interfaces with senior leadership, external stakeholders, and regulatory authorities to ensure alignment, compliance, and execution of mission‑critical work.
• Exercises a high degree of autonomy and technical judgment, influencing engineering strategy, standards, and long‑range planning.
• Leads peer reviews across organizations, may serve as facility design authority representative, and actively mentors and develops engineering staff.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Broad knowledge of industrial facility systems design, operation, and maintenance.
• Strong knowledge of structural engineering systems, analysis methods, and calculations applicable to nuclear or industrial facilities.
• Proficiency with structural analysis tools such as SAP2000, GT STRUDL, RISA, STAAD, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of engineering work planning, construction practices, and control methods.
• Knowledge of applicable codes and standards including IBC, AISC, ACI, ASCE, and DOE requirements.
• Ability to perform and evaluate structural analyses and develop solutions to moderately complex engineering problems.
• Ability to communicate technical information effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams in complex engineering environments.

Additional Job Requirements for higher level title:

• Advanced ability to apply structural engineering principles to complex and ambiguous problems affecting nuclear facility systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading structural design, analysis, and technical decision making for complex systems or facilities.
• Experience serving as a cognizant system engineer, design authority, or equivalent technical leadership role.
• Proven ability to lead projects or multi‑discipline teams and deliver high‑consequence engineering outcomes.
• Experience interfacing with senior leadership and regulatory authorities.
• Ability to influence engineering standards, practices, and long‑range technical direction.

Education/Experience at lower level: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 6 years of practical work experience. Advanced engineering or technical degree is highly desired. Current registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is highly desirable.

Education/Experience at higher level: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 12 years of practical work experience. Advanced engineering or technical degree is highly desired. Current registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is highly desirable.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting nuclear or high‑hazard facilities, including systems designated as Vital Safety Systems.
• Knowledge of DOE standards and nuclear safety basis requirements applicable to structural systems.
• Experience with glovebox systems, confinement structures, or material‑at‑risk control systems.
• Familiarity with LANL engineering processes, procedures, and configuration management practices.
• Advanced degree in structural or civil engineering is preferred.
• Professional Engineer licensure is highly desirable.

Shift Work

Requires 24/7 coverage, which could involve working a shift or weekend schedule. Employees may be eligible for shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift or weekend assignments are at the discretion of the manager.

Work Environment

Work in a noisy environment, near sources of ionizing and non‑ionizing radiation, near machinery with moving parts, and may involve overtime or an irregular schedule.

Work Location

Onsite in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position Commitment

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a continuous service period of 1 year before being eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory.

Note to Applicants

Citizens of the People’s Republic of China (including 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 are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, including Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Benefits

• PPO or high deductible medical insurance with a large nationwide network.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Free basic life and disability insurance.
• Paid childbirth and parental leave.
• Award‑winning 401(k) (6% match 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).

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.