Talent Bridge - Mechanical Engineer

Position Summary: 

Design systems for motion, heat, and fluid dynamics that redefine reliability and performance in nuclear facilities, experimental setups, and mission-critical infrastructure supporting the nation’s energy and technological advancement.

Essential Job Functions:

• Decompose project goals into defined and controlled design requirements.
• Use best practices in design methodologies to develop and validate designs.
• Develop physics-based mathematical models of mechanical, chemical, and electrical systems.
• Maintain familiarity with codes and standards applicable to the discipline.
• Document designs to establish conformance with requirements and standards.
• Establish testing, inspection, and quality requirements.
• Ensure fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement align with design specifications.
• Develop and maintain systems/equipment, perform calculations, and evaluate design specifications.
• Provide solutions to technical problems and recommendations for production improvements.
• Monitor and evaluate plant systems, recommend maintenance and repair standards, and identify vendor data and spare parts.
• Support and lead new project development, including proposals and business plans.
• Ensure design modifications meet technical baseline requirements and applicable codes.
• Maintain configuration management of the technical baseline and assigned systems.
• Ensure consistency in operational characteristics across documentation.
• Develop experiment requirements, perform designs, and support fabrication, inspection, assembly, and testing.
• Lead the design and development of experimental setups and support post-irradiation examination (PIE) of irradiated test fuel.
• Serve as design engineer for fueled test train fabrication tasks.
• Develop project-specific documentation and check drawings.

Talent Bridge Program Duration: 12 months, with a potential 1-year extension

Talent Bridge Program Benefits:

• Mentored environment providing post-degree work experience.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Accelerated knowledge transfer from retiring staff to early career individuals.

Required:

• Level 1:  Recent graduate (within the past 12 months) with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related field from a program accredited by ABET.
• Level 2:  Recent graduate (within the past 12 months) with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related field from a program accredited by ABET.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance (“L” or higher).
• This role requires strong technical skills in mechanical engineering, including design, modeling, and problem-solving. Familiarity with applicable codes, standards, and safety requirements is crucial.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds without assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information:

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Applied Mechanical Engineer to work on our Material Acquisition and Research Engineering team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Idaho Falls facility with every other Friday off. 

• The pay range for this position is: Level 1 $83,964 - $90,948 / Level 2 $100,188 - $108,528 At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.
• TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.