Nuclear Facilities Engineer 1/2 (Mechanical Engineer)

This position will be filled at either the Nuclear Facilities Engineer 1 or 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

About the role

The Nuclear Facilities Engineering Mechanical Engineer role sits at the center of the LANL nuclear mission, where precision, compliance, and performance intersect. This position drives the effective and efficient implementation of nuclear facility engineering requirements, navigating a complex landscape that includes the Nuclear Safety Management Rule, DOE Orders, American Nuclear Society standards, national consensus codes, recognized quality benchmarks, Laboratory directives, and federal, state, and local regulations.

Nuclear Facilities Engineers establish the technical foundation for nuclear facilities, safety systems, operational equipment, procedures, testing, acceptance criteria, and quality standards. Working across disciplines, they integrate seamlessly with programmatic, operations, maintenance, document control, and project management teams to ensure that every requirement supports mission execution without compromise.

This role demands both ownership and collaboration. It requires the ability to lead or contribute within a specialized engineering discipline, operate independently when needed, and still function as a critical part of a larger system. Engineers in this space apply broad, diversified expertise to develop high-impact deliverables, leverage advanced nuclear engineering technologies, and continuously refine processes to meet evolving mission demands and customer expectations.

Responsibilities

Nuclear Facilities Engineer 1

$96,600 - $158,000

• Ensures safety and security are fundamental responsibilities. Maintains compliance, required training, and integrates safety and security into all work, including stopping work when conditions are unsafe or compromise security.
• Applies nuclear facility engineering policies, procedures, and standards.
• Assists with research, data analysis, and evaluation of regulatory changes, contributing practical solutions to engineering challenges.
• Supports the performance and management of nuclear facility systems and engineered safety features, including configuration, operability, and performance, using a risk-based graded approach.
• Contributes to engineering analyses, designs, and deliverables that ensure safety, compliance, and mission success.
• Collaborates with engineering, operations, maintenance, and project teams to address issues and support project execution.
• Assists with hazard and accident analyses, safety documentation, and ongoing facility operations, including Hazard Category 2 and 3 nuclear facilities.
• Works under direction with increasing independence. Applies engineering tools and methods, supports procurement and project activities, participates in peer reviews, and fosters a respectful, inclusive work environment.

Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2

$106,400 - $176,000

In addition to the responsibilities outlined at the lower level:

• Ensures safety and security compliance and reinforces expectations across work activities, including stopping work when conditions are unsafe or compromise security.
• Applies and enforces nuclear facility engineering policies, procedures, and DOE and NNSA regulatory requirements.
• Evaluates regulatory changes and complex technical issues to develop and implement defensible engineering solutions.
• Manages the performance, configuration, and operability of nuclear facility systems and engineered safety features.
• Defines design requirements and ensures systems meet safety, quality, and mission objectives.
• Leads development of engineering analyses, designs, and technical deliverables supporting nuclear facility operations.
• Advances engineering concepts, standards, and practices.
• Performs and reviews hazard and accident analyses, establishes hazard controls, and develops safety basis documentation and system management programs supporting Vital Safety systems and facility modifications.
• Resolves complex engineering issues and interfaces with internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory authorities, to ensure compliance and timely delivery.
• Leads and executes significant portions of projects for Hazard Category 2 and 3 nuclear facilities.
• Develops and implements project plans and defines procurement requirements for nuclear quality-related goods and services.
• Operates with a high degree of independence and technical judgment. Manages priorities, including emergent work, and contributes to organizational goals.
• Performs peer reviews, ensures quality of engineering deliverables, and mentors junior staff.

Requirements

Minimum Job Requirements

• Foundational knowledge of nuclear facility engineering systems, methods, and tools.
• Understanding of engineering principles, calculations, and application of standard engineering practices.
• Exposure to nuclear facility engineering in areas such as safety basis, system engineering, project engineering, design engineering, or nuclear criticality safety.
• Awareness of work planning and control methods, maintenance practices, construction methodologies, and project execution.
• Familiarity with Laboratory procedures and applicable industry, DOE, and NNSA standards and regulatory requirements.

Additional Job Requirements for higher level title

• Advanced knowledge of nuclear facility engineering systems, methods, and tools, and ability to apply them to complex problems.
• Demonstrated experience in one or more areas such as safety basis, system engineering, project engineering, design engineering, or nuclear criticality safety.
• Strong understanding of work planning and control, maintenance practices, construction methodologies, and project execution.
• Thorough knowledge of Laboratory procedures and DOE and NNSA codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to independently evaluate technical issues, make sound engineering decisions, and lead portions of projects or work scopes.

Qualifications

Education/Experience at lower level

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and 2 years of practical work experience necessary to perform the responsibilities outlined above.
• Advanced engineering or technical degrees can be considered as experience equivalency.
• Candidates that meet the degree requirement, but do not meet the 2-year minimum experience requirement are encouraged to apply and may be considered for hire through an exception process.

Education/Experience at higher level

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 3 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.

Skills

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of engineering maintenance techniques and construction methodologies.
• Familiarity with Laboratory procedures, standards, guides, and LANL engineering processes.
• Knowledge of DOE standards applicable to facility design, operation, and maintenance.
• Understanding of engineering principles, safety basis interaction, design guides, appropriate standards, and administrative practices for DOE non-reactor nuclear and high hazard facilities.
• Advanced degree in a related field is preferred.
• Current registration as an Engineer in Training or Professional Engineer is desirable.

Essential Job Functions

• General physical mobility, standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending.
• Use of both hands, both arms, both legs, both feet.
• Carry/lift up to 20 pounds.

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 Environment

• 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.

Location

The location for this position is onsite in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Benefits

• 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).

Due to federal restrictions, 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 of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, including Los Alamos National Laboratory.