SNM Tester Design Engineer
About the role
As a Special Nuclear Materials (SNM) Tester Design Engineer the candidate will be the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for SNM testing equipment. The primary focus of the candidate will be to make any design changes and updates that will improve overall reliability and functionality of the system. They may also be required to maintain system design documentation, and respond to and diagnose system failures. Systems range from contact gauging systems, high vacuum leak testing equipment, laser drill/weld equipment, remote thermal monitoring equipment, and other custom testing equipment. The work is diverse and challenging and most of the equipment is custom designed requiring strong electromechanical intuition to understand how each system operates. The candidate will interface with many different departments internally within Pantex. They will also interface with the National Labs for various reasons during the life of the equipment. Throughout their career, the engineer would be responsible for troubleshooting and performing technical assessments of existing systems as well as designing new systems to support the need of the plant. The engineer will routinely perform walk downs in the existing plant facilities in order to generate engineering documents, provide support to craft personnel and ongoing production operations. There are routinely opportunities to design new equipment to support expanding work scope and to replace aging equipment. The candidate must effectively and cooperatively work as a team member of an integrated project team, or as a technical lead for a multi-discipline task who will routinely provide input to other engineers and customers at the plant and other sites.
Responsibilities
- Make design changes and updates to improve reliability and functionality of SNM testing equipment
- Maintain system design documentation
- Respond to and diagnose system failures
- Interface with internal Pantex departments
- Interface with National Labs during equipment life cycle
- Troubleshoot and perform technical assessments of existing systems
- Design new systems to support plant needs
- Perform walk downs in plant facilities to generate engineering documents
- Provide support to craft personnel and ongoing production operations
- Design new equipment to expand work scope or replace aging equipment
- Work as a team member of an integrated project team or as a technical lead for multi‑discipline tasks
- Provide input to other engineers and customers at the plant and other sites
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in engineering/science discipline OR Master's degree in engineering/science discipline OR PhD degree in engineering/science discipline
- Meet DOE Order 426.2A requirements: Baccalaureate in engineering or related science, 2 years job‑related experience and at least 1 year nuclear experience (or a DOE O 426.2A alternative)
- Until DOE O 426.2A requirements are satisfied, newly hired personnel will not be assigned duties that could impact the safety basis of nuclear facilities
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Nuclear, or Electrical Engineering or a related field from an ABET‑accredited program (or designated equivalent via ABET MRA)
- Preferred GPA: ≤ 4 years post‑graduation – Bachelor’s ≥ 3.0/4.0, Master’s ≥ 3.3/4.0, PhD ≥ 3.5/4.0 (transcript required at offer); beyond 4 years, relevant experience supersedes GPA
- Experience designing complex electromechanical equipment
- Experience using CAD software (e.g., CREO)
- Experience with class 4 lasers, high vacuum equipment, Residual Gas Analyzers (RGAs), leak detectors, contact gauging systems, and temperature monitoring equipment
- Knowledgeable in respective technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques
- Demonstrated technical capabilities, leadership, and work ethic
- Ability to work in a project team environment and communicate well with other disciplines, customers, and stakeholders
- Ability to follow procedures and work within a rigorous work process
- Ability to estimate, plan, and track progress for preparation of discipline deliverables
- Good written and oral communications skills
Skills
- Designing complex electromechanical equipment
- Using CAD software (CREO, etc.)
- Working with class 4 lasers, high vacuum equipment, RGAs, leak detectors, contact gauging systems, temperature monitoring equipment
- Understanding technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques
- Technical capabilities, leadership, and work ethic
- Project‑team collaboration and cross‑disciplinary communication
- Following procedures and rigorous work processes
- Estimating, planning, and tracking progress for deliverables
- Strong written and oral communication