Mechanical Engineering Lead, Assembly and Production
About the role
TechSource a Salas O’Brien Company is hiring an experienced full-time Mechanical Engineering Lead to support the Advanced Sources and Detectors (ASD) Program and the Scorpius accelerator project. This is a unique opportunity to join one of the Department of Energy's most significant accelerator initiatives at a pivotal moment.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership and engineering oversight for accelerator systems, engineering operations, and program execution activities supporting the Scorpius ASD mission.
- Serve as a primary interface between Los Alamos National Laboratory technical teams and Las Vegas-based program personnel to ensure successful knowledge transfer, technical consistency, and mission alignment.
- Develop subject matter expertise across accelerator systems, assembly activities, operational readiness, engineering processes, and system integration efforts.
- Mentor engineers, technologists, and operations personnel while helping establish a culture of technical excellence, disciplined operations, and continuous learning.
- Support planning, scheduling, resource loading, prioritization, and execution of engineering activities to meet program objectives.
- Collaborate with project managers, engineers, quality personnel, operations staff, and customers to resolve technical issues and maintain program performance.
- Lead technical reviews, design discussions, readiness activities, risk assessments, and operational planning efforts.
- Assist with development of engineering processes, work packages, procedures, training programs, and operational documentation.
- Support configuration management, engineering change processes, system testing, commissioning, and startup activities.
- Participate in strategic planning activities that support long-term program growth and future mission execution.
- Provide technical guidance during system troubleshooting, maintenance, assembly, integration, and operational activities.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, development, and retention of engineering personnel as the organization expands.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline.
- Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible engineering experience supporting complex technical, scientific, defense, nuclear, aerospace, accelerator, or high-consequence systems.
- Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, projects, or operational organizations.
- Experience supporting system integration, testing, commissioning, manufacturing, operations, or large-scale technical programs.
- Experience with project planning, scheduling, resource management, and execution of technically complex work.
- Strong communication, leadership, mentoring, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- U.S. Citizenship required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field.
- Experience supporting accelerator systems, pulsed power systems, high-voltage systems, diagnostics, advanced scientific facilities, or national laboratory programs.
- Experience supporting Department of Energy, NNSA, national laboratory, defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated environments.
- Knowledge of Conduct of Engineering, Conduct of Operations, Configuration Management, Readiness Processes, Integrated Safety Management, and Quality Assurance principles.
- Experience leading startup, commissioning, production, or operational readiness activities.
- Professional Engineer (PE), PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or related professional certification.
Location & Travel
This role will be fully on-site in Los Alamos, NM for the first 1-2 years of the project. Please consider this when applying to the job.
Compensation & Benefits
The expected base salary range for this role is $160,000 - $220,000 USD per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location. This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
- Professional development support
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.