Power Systems Engineer - Level 1/2

Idaho National Laboratory • Idaho Falls, ID

9h • $66,504 - $162,732 • Onsite

About The Position

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Level 1 or Level 2 Electrical Engineer for its Electrical Controls and Structural Engineering team. The position is based at the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) and follows a 4x10 schedule, with Fridays off. MFC supports U.S. nuclear research and development and provides facilities for remote work on highly irradiated fuels and materials.

The engineer applies electrical engineering principles to power systems, including generation, storage, transmission, distribution, management, and use. The role includes analyzing and designing industrial electrical power systems and collaborating with other engineering disciplines to support safe, resilient, and reliable power delivery. Responsibilities may also include project engineering, oversight of high-risk electrical systems, work with equipment vendors, and application design and operation of complex high-power and high-voltage equipment.

The position requires a bachelor's degree in power engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field from an ABET-accredited institution. Level 1 requires no experience. Level 2 requires two years of experience with a bachelor's degree, or a master's or Ph.D. with no experience. The employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy L clearance, requiring U.S. citizenship. This is a testing-designated position subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing. The pay ranges are $66,504–$136,356 for Level 1 and $79,344–$162,732 for Level 2; compensation depends on education, relevant experience, and other credentials.

Requirements

• Level 1: Bachelor's degree in power engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field from an ABET-accredited institution; no experience required.
• Level 2: Bachelor's degree in power engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field from an ABET-accredited institution and two years of experience; alternatively, a master's degree or Ph.D. with no experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy L clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.
• Frequently stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, and bend, and work in office and laboratory environments.
• Hand and finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms.
• May be required to operate job-related equipment and drive a vehicle.
• Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform essential functions and interact with the public.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on coursework, lab work, or a senior capstone project involving operation or analysis of industrial electrical equipment such as motors, transformers, switchgear, or distribution systems, including load analysis, power quality, or system protection.
• Applied National Electrical Code (NEC) or NFPA 70E requirements, or electrical safety concepts such as fault-current analysis, overcurrent protection, or arc-flash hazard assessment through coursework, laboratory work, or a design project.
• Coursework or project work involving backup power systems such as generators or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and creating or interpreting electrical drawings, schematics, or single-line diagrams for power distribution or facility electrical systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed analyses of current power transmission and distribution systems to inform development and design decisions.
• Apply electrical engineering theories and principles to develop secure, sustainable, resilient, robust, and reliable electrical power systems across generation, storage, transmission, distribution, management, and use.
• Apply sound engineering principles to the design, development, and installation of industrial electrical power systems.
• Collaborate with customers to develop system alternatives and evaluate them against program requirements, including risks, costs, and performance measures.
• Review design outputs, including design change packages and installation and testing procedures, and obtain appropriate approvals.
• Ensure design modifications meet technical baseline requirements.
• Establish and maintain configuration management for assigned systems and maintain existing drawings and databases.
• Develop functional and operational requirements, system design descriptions, and equipment test procedures.
• Coordinate with engineers, planners, operations personnel, and stakeholders to execute testing activities.
• Perform first-order data analysis and report test status to stakeholders.
• Provide input on test equipment functionality and support procurement of equipment, spare parts, and systems for plant modifications or research systems.
• Evaluate system and equipment performance and history to improve efficiency and reliability.
• May manage electrical engineering aspects of projects, including identifying required equipment, services, space, personnel, and work controls.
• May oversee the design and maintenance of assigned high-risk electrical systems operations.
• May direct others or work with equipment vendors to diagnose and repair malfunctions or to design and specify equipment to meet customer requirements.
• May direct and execute the application design, setup, and basic operation of complex high-power and high-voltage equipment and systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, and flexible spending accounts.
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to a 4.8% match for regular positions; postdoctoral positions have self-contribute access.
• Paid time off (personal leave).
• Employee Education Program with tuition assistance for eligible positions.
• Comprehensive relocation package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level