Senior Mechanical Engineer
Idaho National Laboratory - Idaho Falls, ID
posted 3 months ago
About the position
Idaho National Laboratory is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) Facility and Systems Engineering department. This role is pivotal in advancing nuclear research and development, contributing to the design and analysis of systems that ensure the safe and efficient operation of nuclear fuels. The position operates on a 4x10 schedule, allowing for every other Friday off, and is based at our state-of-the-art MFC facility. As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will apply engineering principles to solve complex mechanical problems related to the dynamics of heat, gas, air, fluids, and solid materials. Your responsibilities will include decomposing project goals into defined design requirements, utilizing best practices in design methodologies, and developing physics-based mathematical models to support and verify designs. You will maintain a thorough understanding of applicable codes and standards, ensuring that all designs conform to these requirements. In this role, you will oversee the fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement processes, ensuring adherence to design specifications. You will also be responsible for maintaining assigned systems and equipment, performing calculations related to project specifications, and providing solutions to technical problems. Your expertise will be crucial in developing new projects, preparing proposals, and ensuring that design modifications meet technical baseline requirements. Collaboration is key in this position, as you will work closely with other designers, customers, and analysts to develop experiment requirements and support the installation and testing of experiments. You will lead the design and fabrication of experiments, ensuring that all nuclear safety bases are met. This role requires a commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy clearance, which necessitates U.S. citizenship.
Responsibilities
- Apply engineering principles to the solution of mechanical problems related to heat, gas, air, fluids, and solid materials.
- Decompose project goals into defined and controlled design requirements.
- Use design methodologies, technologies, and processes to develop a design and validate that it meets defined requirements.
- Develop physics-based mathematical models of mechanical, chemical, and electrical systems to support and verify design.
- Document the design to establish conformance with design requirements and applicable codes and standards.
- Establish testing, inspection, and quality requirements to ensure technical features are maintained.
- Oversee fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement to ensure adherence to design.
- Maintain assigned systems/equipment and perform calculations related to project specifications.
- Provide solutions to technical problems and recommendations for improvements in production activities.
- Help develop new projects, including proposals and business plans.
- Ensure design modifications meet technical baseline requirements and applicable codes and regulations.
- Develop and maintain configuration management of the technical baseline.
- Work with other designers, customers, and analysts to develop experiment requirements and support installation and testing of experiments.
- Lead experiment design and fabrication activities to ensure nuclear safety bases are met.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from an ABET-accredited institution with 9+ years of experience, or a Master's degree with 6+ years of experience, or a PhD with 4+ years of experience.
- Relevant experience commensurate with level.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy (L" / "Q" clearance, which requires U.S. Citizenship.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience in nuclear engineering or related fields.
- Familiarity with advanced design software and simulation tools.
- Strong project management skills.
- Experience in leading teams or projects.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
- 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match
- Paid time off (personal leave)
- Employee Education Program (tuition assistance)
- Comprehensive Relocation Package
