Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 or 4 (Structural Engineer)

About the Role

This position supports the LANL nuclear mission by ensuring the integrity, safety, and performance of structures and systems that support plutonium operations. Work is performed within a highly regulated environment governed by DOE Orders, nuclear safety requirements, national consensus codes, and Laboratory standards. Engineers serve as system engineers responsible for structural systems and components that provide confinement, as well as industrial facility systems including hydronic heating and cooling, compressed gases, supply and exhaust ventilation, and fire protection. They also serve as cognizant system engineers for systems and components designated as Vital Safety Systems, ensuring compliance with the Safety Basis, LANL Master Specifications, and applicable national codes and standards.

The position will be filled at either the Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 or 4 level, depending on the selected candidate's skills. Additional responsibilities will apply if hired at the higher level.

Responsibilities

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)

In addition to the responsibilities outlined for the Engineer 3 level:

• 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.

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 Requirements for Nuclear Facilities Engineer 4

• 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.

Qualifications

Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3

• 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.

Nuclear Facilities Engineer 4

• 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 Skills

• 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.

Essential Job Functions

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

Work Environment

• Work Location: Onsite in Los Alamos, NM.
• Work Schedule: May require 24/7 coverage, including shift/weekend work; shift differential pay may apply.
• Work in a noisy environment, near sources of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, and near machinery with moving parts.
• May require working overtime or an irregular schedule.

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% 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).

Security & Citizenship

This position requires a Q clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation. 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 LANL facilities.

New-employment drug testing is required; marijuana use remains illegal under federal law and will result in termination.