Job Information
Los Alamos National Laboratory Project Engineer (Nuclear Facility Engineer 3 or 4) in Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
This position will be filled at either the Nuclear Facilities Project Engineer 3 OR Nuclear Facilities Project Engineer 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 Plutonium Infrastructure Engineering Division (PIE-DO) of Los Alamos National Laboratory develops, maintains,and applies a diverse set of engineering capabilities to provide innovative engineering solutions in support of the Laboratory's Plutonium Facility. PIE-DO is responsible for implementing the Conduct of Engineering (COE) program on Division projects. The program elements include processes, standards, training, and qualifications that are generally applicable throughout the life cycle of a facility. They exist to effectively manage risks and satisfy customer requirements in a safe, secure, cost effective, and environmentally responsible manner.
Nuclear Facilities Project Engineer 3 ($128,000 - $215,900)
The Project Engineer 3 performs as the lead technical representative for engineering activities related to the planning, design, execution, and closeout of projects. He/She will lead and manage development of projects with an integrated project team (IPT) that includes both customers, stakeholders, subject matter experts and others. The Project Engineer 3 will manage engineering design efforts, which may be performed by internal and/or external engineering design teams. He/She will also manage design reviews and assure comments are implemented by facilitating the resolution of comments and ensure delivery of the design product. For all design efforts, this includes verification of complaint design delivery at each stage (i.e., 30/60/90/100 %). Specific responsibilities will include:
Manage technical requirements for construction, including coordinating designer-constructor interfaces, design changes, submittal reviews, inspection documentation, and request for information (RFI), field change requests (FCR), commissioning, and turnover processes.
Work with the integrated project team to assure scope, requirements tracking, safety in design, etc. are correctly implemented.
Work with LANL Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) representatives and Subject Matter Experts (SME) for identification and resolution of issues within these areas.
Plan and forecast project engineering staffing needs.
Review engineering progress against approved schedules and budgets; evaluate variances and develop corrective action when needed.
Adhere to and enforce the policies, programs, procedures, and practices with the requirements of the LANL Conduct of Engineering program.
Mentor junior project engineers and provide oversight of their work.
Participate in process improvement initiatives.
External design execution may require management of the contract.
Nuclear Facilities Project Engineer 4 ($153,600 - $266,500)
- In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, the level 4 Project Engineer is required to have proven leadership experience.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Experience working with design and construction contracts.
Experience working under a conduct of engineering program, e.g., the LANL COE program, or similar.
Familiarity with cost engineering functions, cost estimating, cost control, and variance analysis.
Advanced knowledge of assessment/audit practices.
Proven experience in collaborative problem solving, such as with SMEs, construction personnel and peers.
Advanced technical knowledge in the application of engineering, procurement, construction, testing, and operations practices sufficient to evaluate and interpret specified requirements.
Advanced experience with mentoring of personnel.
Experience interacting with production agency and design agency staff members.
Experience working with industry codes and standards such as NEC, IBC, ASME, NFPA, etc.
Experience working with national quality requirements standards such as ASME NQA-1, ISO 9000, etc.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to effectively communicate engineering solutions both verbally and in writing to supervisors, peers, and other organizations.
Desktop automation skills (MS Office Suite).
Advanced training in and significant experience with use of problem-solving methodology, e.g. Lean Six Sigma, root cause analysis.
Additional Job Requirements for higher level title:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
Advance knowledge of construction engineering principles and practices.
Experience in a senior engineering role implementing, overseeing, or assessing engineering activities.
Advance knowledge of qualitify assurance tools and practices.
Expert level knowledge of assessment/audit practices
Expert-level knowledge of construction codes and standards, formal project management methodologies, and Laboratory business systems and functional organizations, with the ability to integrate and apply quality requirements consistently across construction and project execution environments.
Ability to perform strategic thinking for development of institutional programs and initiatives.
Advanced capability in evaluating complex technical systems through structured assessments, data analysis, and performance monitoring to identify deficiencies and implement effective corrective actions.
Deep understanding of national consensus standards (e.g., ASME, ISO, NQA-1) and the ability to interpret and apply them within engineering, testing, and operational environments.
Strong analytical proficiency in applying statistical and metrology methods to diagnose process variation, determine root causes, and improve system reliability and performance.
Training/Certifications: Current registration as an Engineer in Training (EIT) is highly desirable.
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:
Advanced degree in relevant engineering/technical field.
Professional registration as a professional engineer or registered architect.
Awareness of NRC or DOE/NNSA nuclear/radiological facilities or projects, and of DOE standards and Orders, e.g., DOE O 413.3b, DOE-STD-1189, DOE-STD-1066, etc.
Experience developing engineering schedules using tools such as MS Project or Oracle P6.
Active Q Clearance
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.
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: Please submit a full comprehensive resume for qualification.
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. (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-BOrder-chg2-pgchg/@@images/file) 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 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-BOrder-A/@Aimages/file) 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.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 ( https://policy.lanl.gov/apex/special/policy/documents/P701) for applicant eligibility requirements.
Incentive Compensation Program : The Level 4 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.