Shift Mechanical System Engineer (Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2/3)

This position will be filled at either a Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2 or 3 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 Plutonium Facilities Engineering - Auxiliary Systems (PFE-AUX) facility engineering group at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking Mechanical Engineers specializing in rotating equipment and/or pressure systems. This role supports PFE and LANL's mission by serving as a subject matter expert in nuclear facility mechanical engineering, with emphasis on rotating equipment and pressure systems within and around the plutonium facility.

Responsibilities include all aspects of mechanical engineering in nuclear facilities, such as engines, motors, compressors, generators, pumps, fuel tanks, air tanks, piping networks, and interconnected utilities. The engineer supports facility modifications, new structure and equipment development, demolition activities, installations, upgrades, and repairs.

Engineers at this level will qualify as a Cognizant System Engineer on one or more Vital Safety Systems that support LANL Nuclear Facilities. The role involves collaborating with junior and senior engineers across disciplines, including fire protection, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering, to contribute to integrated, full system design solutions.

Responsibilities

• Perform and review complex engineering studies.
• Support facility modifications, new structure and equipment development, demolition activities, installations, upgrades, and repairs.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in nuclear facility mechanical engineering, with emphasis on rotating equipment and/or pressure systems.
• Qualify as a Cognizant System Engineer on one or more Vital Safety Systems.
• Collaborate with engineers across disciplines to develop integrated system design solutions.
• Mentor and provide technical leadership to junior engineers.

Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 Additional Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical authority for nuclear facility mechanical engineering within plutonium and other nuclear facilities.
• Provide strategic leadership, technical governance, and decision-making authority for complex, high-consequence engineering systems.
• Ensure nuclear facility engineering programs comply with the Nuclear Safety Management Rule, DOE Orders and Standards, American Nuclear Society Standards, and other applicable regulations.
• Interpret regulatory requirements, resolve conflicts between codes and standards, and translate requirements into executable engineering direction.
• Lead complex, multi-discipline design efforts and provide final technical review and approval for significant modifications, new installations, and safety-related system changes.
• Interface with facility management, safety basis personnel, Cognizant System Engineers, and external oversight organizations to defend technical positions and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers, establish technical expectations, and drive continuous improvement in engineering quality, safety, and reliability.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience as a mechanical engineer in a major commercial, industrial, or nuclear facility, with strong emphasis on rotating equipment and/or pressure systems.
• Experience in the design, analysis, modification, maintenance, and operation of rotating equipment and/or pressure systems in regulated environments.
• Experience applying and implementing applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements, including ASME, ANSI, IBC, IEBC, and ASHRE.
• Ability to independently perform, document, and develop engineering analyses, calculations, and complete design packages for review and approval.
• Experience using engineering tools and technology-aided platforms, including CAD and CAE systems, to develop solutions to complex technical problems.
• Knowledge of engineering documentation practices, configuration control, construction interfaces, testing, commissioning, and system turnover processes.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments with competing priorities and deadlines while coordinating with engineering, operations, maintenance, and construction personnel.
• Ability to collaborate across organizations and disciplines, including participation in the implementation and commissioning of new techniques, technologies, or system engineering approaches.
• Knowledge of safety considerations and potential hazards associated with nuclear or industrial facility systems, including incorporation of engineered design features to mitigate risk and support regulatory compliance.
• Ability to communicate technical information effectively in both written and verbal formats to management, customers, peers, craft personnel, and oversight stakeholders.
• Experience providing technical direction, mentoring or coordinating the work of others, and exercising sound engineering judgment within assigned scope of responsibility.

Additional Requirements for Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3

• Advanced ability, experience, and knowledge relative to the minimum job requirements.
• Ability to interpret and implement regulatory requirements and consensus codes and standards in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Establish technical direction for rotating equipment and/or pressure systems and provide final technical review and approval of significant design changes and engineering analyses.
• Lead multi-discipline engineering efforts for complex or safety-significant system modifications.
• Serve as technical authority for system-level decisions involving reliability, safety, compliance, and long-term lifecycle strategy.
• Defend technical positions to management, safety basis personnel, and oversight organizations.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior and mid-level engineers.
• Exercise independent judgment with accountability for high-consequence technical risk.

Qualifications

Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2

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

Desired Skills

• Knowledge of DOE Orders and Standards.
• Knowledge of the engineering design process.
• Knowledge of facility/systems engineering processes.
• Knowledge of design development and execution processes.
• Knowledge of rotating equipment including engines, motors, compressors, generators, pumps, fuel tanks, air tanks, piping networks, and interconnected utilities.
• Knowledge of the engineering design process and/or maintenance of rotating equipment.
• Knowledge of the engineering design process and/or maintenance of pressure systems.
• Knowledge of codes and standards, including NQA-1, ASME, ANSI, IBC, IEBC, and ASHRE.
• Experience with supporting safety analyses and hazards evaluations.
• Familiarity with LANL engineering processes and procedures.
• Ability to become licensed in New Mexico in the Mechanical discipline within one year of hire date.
• Professional Engineer License in the Mechanical discipline is desired.

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 Environments

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

Citizenship Requirements

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 ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, including Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Schedule

This position requires working Friday through Monday (10 hours/day) upon completion of a "training period" Tuesday through Friday (10 hours/day). Employees may be eligible for shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift/weekend assignments are at the discretion of the manager. This position may require 24/7 on-call coverage at the discretion of the manager.

Benefits

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with a large nationwide network.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Free basic life and disability insurance.
• Paid childcare leave.