Cognizant Chemical/I&C System Engineer (Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3/4)
Description
Job Title Cognizant Chemical/I&C System Engineer (Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3/4)
Location Los Alamos, NM, US
Organization Name ES-WFO/Engineering Services - Weapons Facilities Operations
Minimum Salary
Maximum Salary
What You Will Do
Are you a talented and driven engineer looking to develop, maintain, and apply a diverse set of engineering capabilities to provide innovative engineering solutions? Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a skilled professional to join our Engineering Services (ES) Division as a Cognizant System Engineer. This position supports the Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility (WETF) nuclear facility and serves as system owner of multiple accredited facility systems. As a part of the cognizant system engineering team, systems you support are needed to operate a leading research and development Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility.
As a vital member of the ES-DO team you will contribute to the implementation of the Conduct of Engineering (COE) program at LANL in support of systems, structure and component modifications and new installations, and will support nuclear, accelerator or non-nuclear facilities across 38 square miles of the Laboratory. If you're eager to support the Laboratory's scientific and national security mission, this opportunity is for you!
Note: This position will be filled at either the Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 or 4 level depending on the skills and/or experience of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3 ($128,000-$215,900)
As a Nuclear Facilities Engineer with Engineering Services, you will function as a Cognizant System Engineer (CSE) assigned to vital safety systems at WETF. WETF is part of the Weapons Facilities Operations (WFO) organization, which supports the nation's nuclear weapons research, development, and stockpile modernization mission.
The CSE serves as the primary technical authority for assigned facility systems and components and is responsible for maintaining system performance, technical baseline, and configuration throughout the system lifecycle. The CSE provides technical support for facility operations, maintenance, design modifications, and system upgrades while coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
You will apply broad, in-depth knowledge of DOE Orders, nuclear safety requirements, and national consensus codes to develop engineering solutions that uphold the highest standards of safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. Engineers at this level serve as technical authorities, lead portions of project and design work, guide system performance, and contribute to engineering strategies that ensure mission execution across complex, high-consequence facilities.
The level 3 role serves as a senior engineer and includes the following job opportunities:
- Provide senior engineering expertise and mentoring to junior engineers
- Represent the Engineering Services Division in project execution and technical coordination
- Develop and review conceptual and detailed engineering designs to ensure technical adequacy and compliance with applicable codes and standards
- Assess the condition and performance of facility systems and infrastructure
- Apply sound engineering judgment to resolve complex technical challenges
- Develop engineering cost estimates and project scopes
- Produce engineering design deliverables and technical documentation
- Adhere to LANL Engineering Standards, Conduct of Engineering requirements, and applicable industry codes and standards
- Support organizational initiatives that improve engineering and business practices
- Qualify as a Cognizant System Engineer (CSE)
- Assess, maintain, and upgrade facility systems supporting WETF operations and mission needs
- Support Configuration Management, Technical Support to Operations and Maintenance, System Health and Performance Monitoring, and Technical Support to Programs and Projects
- Research, evaluate, and implement engineering solutions in response to changes in nuclear facility practices, regulations, and standards
- Lead portions of engineering projects and multidisciplinary technical teams supporting mission deliverables
- Identify and lead engineering activities within the assigned engineering discipline in support of facility design, operations, maintenance, and system reliability
Nuclear Facilities Engineer Level 4 ($153,600 -$266,500)
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, in this level the selected candidate identifies and/or leads activities within a nuclear facility engineering discipline, demonstrating initiative, technical depth, and leadership in complex project environments. The candidate must be able to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, applying broad and diversified knowledge of nuclear facility engineering principles and practices in the preparation and execution of nuclear facility engineering deliverables. This includes utilizing nuclear engineering technology to accomplish work safely and efficiently while continuously improving engineering and work processes to meet evolving customer and mission needs. The ideal candidate will bring a strong technical foundation, sound judgment, and the ability to integrate requirements across multiple systems and disciplines to ensure safe, compliant, and reliable facility operations.
- Recognized as a as a coordinating figure and subject-matter-expert (SME), helping to ensure third-party designs are code-compliant and meet our customer's needs
- Use broad and/or unique knowledge and skills to contribute to improvement of LANL's Engineering Standards
- Use independent and wide latitude judgment in determining course of action to accomplish objectives
- Facilitate technical growth of engineering staff
- Assist your Team Lead with work planning, staffing projections and hiring
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Experience Requirements
- Minimum 6 years applying engineering principles, industry codes, standards, and best practices
- Minimum 6 years developing engineering deliverables (calculations, specifications, drawings, technical reports, testing documentation, inspection plans)
- Minimum 6 years developing project scopes and cost estimates for design/construction activities
- Broad-based engineering experience supporting facility systems, process systems, instrumentation & control systems, or facility modifications
Technical Domain Expertise
- System engineering, design engineering, process engineering, instrumentation & controls engineering, or project engineering in complex facilities
- System performance evaluation, equipment troubleshooting, and implementing engineering improvements
- Maintenance support (corrective maintenance planning, system performance monitoring, reliability improvements)
- System management using graded, risk-informed approaches emphasizing configuration management, operability, reliability, and system health
Industry & Regulatory Knowledge
- Knowledge of applicable industry and regulatory codes/standards
- Knowledge of DOE/NNSA (Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration) requirements
- Experience in nuclear, processing, industrial manufacturing, or other highly regulated facility environments
Change & Configuration Management
- Review engineering changes for impacts to system configuration, technical baseline, and equipment documentation
- Configuration management and maintaining technical baselines
Leadership & Communication
- Ability to mentor early-career engineers
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences
Additional Job Requirements for Nuclear Facilities Engineer 4:
- Minimum 12 years of experience leading a design team and/or organization
- Minimum 12 years of expertise in industry, regulatory, or Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) complex codes, standards, and criteria pertinent to your engineering discipline
- Minimum of 12 years of experience in engineering work planning, budgeting, and design coordination
- Demonstrated broad and/or unique expert knowledge of engineering systems and calculations, applications of engineering methods, and application technology aided engineering tools to conventional and non-conventional facility and operations-based engineering problems
Education/Experience at Nuclear Facilities Engineer 3: 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.
Education/Experience at Nuclear Facilities Engineer 4: 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.
This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities. This DOE Order establishes entry-level requirements to ensure employees in the positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job. DOE 426.2 requires a BS degree, 2 years of job related experience and 1 year of non-reactor nuclear experience for technical support personnel who perform work independently at nuclear facilities. For those being considered at the lower level, the 1 year of non-reactor nuclear experience can be obtained with on-the-job training if the candidate is otherwise qualified under the DOE Order.
Desired Qualifications:
- For Engineer 3: Current Professional Engineering (PE) License
- For Engineer 4: Current NCEES Professional Engineering License
- Design experience in nuclear, accelerator or industrial facility operations
- Master's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university
- Knowledge of DOE and LANL Engineering Standards and Conduct of Engineering principles and procedures
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.
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.
DOE Order 426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.
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.
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 [click to reveal email address] or call [click to reveal phone number] option 2.
Employment Status Full Time
Appointment Type Regular
Regular