Systems Engineer - AI and Automation

Idaho National Laboratory • Idaho Falls, ID

7d • $79,344 - $162,732 • Onsite

About The Position

Idaho National Laboratory’s Nuclear Science & Technology directorate is hiring a Systems Engineer - AI and Automation for its Digital Engineering department. The role sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, and model-based systems engineering. The engineer will own the architecture, development, and integration of digital and agentic AI systems that automate and accelerate engineering workflows across design, safety, and licensing.

The position involves applying software engineering principles to complex analytical processes, using modeling and simulation to solve complex problems, and analyzing, testing, modifying, documenting, and maintaining models or simulation-based systems in scientific domains. The engineer will develop software using appropriate technologies, which may include MATLAB, Simulink, and Python, and build, integrate, and support agentic AI workflows and other AI/ML capabilities.

This position is on a 9x80 schedule, with every other Friday off, and is based at INL’s Collaborative Computing Center facility. The listed pay range is $79,344–$162,732. Compensation decisions consider education, relevant experience, and other credentials.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate consistently and effectively.

Nice To Haves

• Experience designing and deploying ML/AI or agentic systems that automate engineering workflows.
• Hands-on experience integrating modeling and simulation tools with systems.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
• Experience writing code in Python.

Responsibilities

• Architect, develop, and integrate digital and agentic AI systems that automate and accelerate nuclear design engineering, safety, and licensing processes, including integrations with open-source and commercial platforms such as CAD and modeling and simulation tools.
• Define and validate system requirements for digital and agentic systems, and build traceability frameworks that preserve functional integrity and align systems with mission objectives, regulatory requirements, and organizational policy.
• Perform system-level trade studies evaluating the feasibility, risks, and benefits of applying ML/AI to design engineering workflows, and provide recommendations to technical and program leadership.
• Curate datasets and design repeatable, scalable data retrieval procedures.
• Lead data pipeline development to uphold data quality, integrity, and security from training through production deployment.
• Apply software engineering principles, theories, and concepts to complex analytical processes and information.
• Leverage modeling and simulation to address complex problems.
• Analyze, test, modify, document, and maintain models or simulation-based systems related to scientific domains.
• Optimize, program, and develop software using technologies appropriate to the application, which may include MATLAB, Simulink, and Python.
• Build, integrate, and support agentic AI workflows and other AI/ML-driven capabilities.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time