Nuclear Systems Reliability Engineer

LLNL•Livermore, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is seeking a Nuclear Systems Reliability Engineer to support ongoing projects in the Superblock, a DOE Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility. This role involves supporting significant R&D projects, applying advanced technical knowledge to create innovative solutions, and utilizing mechanical engineering skills to maintain complex mechanical systems and programmatic equipment. The position is within the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED) of the Engineering Directorate. The role requires full-time on-site presence. Responsibilities include collaborating on the analysis and testing of programmatic and nuclear facility equipment, providing engineering support for electrical power distribution, controls, instrumentation, and facility support systems, and applying reliability engineering principles. A key aspect of the role is contributing to the development of a predictive reliability program and a comprehensive preventative maintenance plan, incorporating reliability-centered maintenance approaches. The engineer will prepare condition assessment reports, perform Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Inspectability (RAMI) analysis, and interface with engineers to ensure compliance with programmatic requirements. Additional responsibilities at the SES.3 level include leading project reliability plans, providing technical direction for reliability and maintenance strategies, leading the development of predictive maintenance plans, and evaluating project goals. This position can be filled at either the SES.2 or SES.3 level.

Requirements

Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, systems, or related engineering discipline or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Engineering aptitude as evidenced by past engineering, experimental, operational, or moderately complex troubleshooting or modification projects.
Comprehensive knowledge of and experience developing or reviewing engineering calculations, specifications, drawings, or analyses, and contributing to design, modification, or upgrade decisions for engineered systems.
Experience and familiarity with scientific or experimental systems, including high-vacuum systems, high-temperature systems, X-ray generating devices, laser systems, calorimeters, mechanical testers, fabrication equipment, etc., and a fundamental understanding of how these instruments function.
Proficient ability to identify, develop and effectively communicate recommendations to facility, program, and senior management regarding equipment maintenance, including proven ability to successfully implement recommendations.
Experience working in a highly configuration managed environment.
Independent thinking and demonstrated ability to understand advanced level technical documentation needed for solving complex problems.
Significant experience and advanced knowledge in the design, operation, analysis, or maintenance of complex engineered systems, which may include facility infrastructure systems (e.g., ventilation, fire protection, cryogenics, utilities) or complex programmatic or experimental systems.
Advanced leadership skills and significant experience directing, supervising, and providing guidance and mentoring to small teams performing work in a highly regulated technical environment.
Significant experience successfully managing, overseeing, and delivering multiple projects on budget and on schedule.
Ability and flexibility in reprioritizing and changing programmatic direction depending on emergent requests.
Advanced verbal and written communication, facilitation, and negotiation, skills necessary to effectively interact and collaborate in a team environment, present and explain technical or operational information, and mediate, compromise, and provide advice to management, reviewers, and stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Active security clearance.
Experience performing maintenance on scientific instruments, including high-vacuum systems, high-temperature systems, X-ray generating devices, laser systems, calorimeters, mechanical testers, fabrication equipment, etc., and a fundamental understanding of how these instruments function.
Substantial experience and expertise in facility engineering and nuclear industry code compliance.
Qualification as a Cognizant System Engineer in a nuclear facility.
Familiarity with Nuclear Materials Control & Accountability principles, Radioactive & Hazardous Waste Management practices, and Nuclear Facility Quality Assurance and procurement practices.
Experience supporting electrical or facility infrastructure systems in an industrial, research, or nuclear environment.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with team members to support and contribute to the analysis and testing of programmatic and nuclear facility equipment, including equipment vibration assessment, thermography, equipment operational data trending, deriving post-maintenance testing plans, writing testing procedures, and performing safety calculations.
Provide engineering support for electrical power distribution, controls, instrumentation, and facility support systems, including system troubleshooting, condition monitoring, and post-maintenance testing.
Support facility infrastructure systems (e.g., electrical distribution, HVAC, controls, alarms, and utility systems) to ensure reliability, maintainability, and alignment with nuclear safety and mission requirements.
Apply reliability engineering principles across mechanical, electrical, and control systems, including development of maintenance strategies, system health assessments, and performance metrics.
Work in conjunction with team members to provide engineering technical support for the troubleshooting, repair, modification, and operation of facility systems, utilities, and programmatic equipment.
Contribute to and participate in the development of a predictive reliability program to ensure operational readiness and minimize downtime for critical systems, including power distribution, control systems, scientific tools & diagnostics, containment ventilation, cryogenic liquids, compressed gases, gloveboxes, and fire suppression.
Assist in the development and implementation of a comprehensive preventative maintenance plan that encompasses all facility and programmatic equipment within the Superblock.
Participate in the implementation of a reliability-centered maintenance approach to maintenance activities to determine the optimal maintenance activity for each system and contribute to recommendations on system health and improvement through predictive maintenance.
Prepare detailed condition assessment reports for engineering and facility management on overall system health and develop performance metrics for moderately complex condition-based and/or predictive maintenance.
Perform Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Inspectability (RAMI) analysis, which is an engineering framework to assess and improve the overall performance and effectiveness of complex systems throughout their design and operational phases.
Communicate and interface frequently with assigned engineers to ensure compliance with programmatic requirements.
Select methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to obtain results based on analysis of multiple, largely identifiable factors.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Lead and/or provide technical guidance and direction in the development of project reliability plans for significant R&D projects, while also applying advanced level engineering knowledge, significant technical experience, and innovation to create mechanical solutions and resolve complex problems, while ensuring safety and compliance with DOE orders and specifications.
Lead or provide technical direction for reliability and maintenance strategies across facility infrastructure systems, including electrical power distribution, controls, and integrated mechanical/electrical assets.
Utilize Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), a strategic approach to maintenance that identifies and analyzes potential equipment failures to determine the most appropriate and cost-effective maintenance strategy for each specific asset.
Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive, predictive maintenance plan that encompasses all equipment within the Superblock, and also includes a comprehensive master equipment list of facility and programmatic assets across multiple sites.
Lead the development and implementation of key performance metrics in equipment operability, maintainability, and reliability.
Lead corrective actions in response to off-normal events within the scope of equipment maintenance and repair.
Evaluate and exert influence on the development, methods, resource needs, priorities, progress, and completion of project and organizational goals, providing recommendations and advice to project leadership as necessary.