Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 or 4 (Structural Engineer)

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

This position will be filled at either the Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 or 4 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

The Nuclear Facilities Engineering Structural Engineer role supports the LANL nuclear mission by ensuring the integrity, safety, and performance of structures and systems that support plutonium operations. This work is performed within a highly regulated environment governed by DOE Orders, nuclear safety requirements, national consensus codes, and Laboratory standards.

Within the Plutonium Facilities Engineering Division, engineers serve as system engineers responsible for structural systems and components that provide confinement as well as a full range of industrial facility systems including hydronic heating and cooling, compressed gases, supply and exhaust ventilation, and fire protection.

Engineers also serve as cognizant system engineers for systems and other engineered components designated as Vital Safety Systems.

Structural Engineers in this role ensure that systems remain compliant with the Safety Basis, LANL Master Specifications, and applicable national codes and standards. They evaluate and approve design changes, support system performance and operability, and work across disciplines to ensure safe and compliant mission execution.

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 what was outlined at the lower level, at this 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.

#Shiftwork

What You Need

Minimum Job 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 Job Requirements for higher level title

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

• 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.

Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 6 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.

Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and a minimum of 12 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.

Desired Qualifications

• 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 (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): General Physical Mobility, standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending. Specific Physical Mobility use of both hands, use of both arms, use of both legs, use of both feet, carry/lift up to 20 pounds.

Work Environment

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

Work Schedule: This position may require 24/7 coverage, which could involve working a shift/weekend schedule. Employees maybe 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.

Position Commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants: Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China - including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau - as well as citizens of 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 the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• 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)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2: Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances.

Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

• Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law.

A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular Position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Incentive Compensation Program: The higher level position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce.

All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations.

The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2.