Demo

METL Experimental Operations Engineer

Argonne National Laboratory
Lemont, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 5/26/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/25/2026
For this position the Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE) Division is seeking an experienced electrical, mechanical, chemical and/or nuclear engineer to join our multi-disciplinary team that includes design engineers, test engineers, fluids and thermal researchers, and experienced technicians.

The selected individual will oversee the design, construction, startup and commissioning, operations, and troubleshooting of cutting-edge experimental systems and sub-systems related to and in support of the intermediate-scale liquid metal technology experimental facility called the Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL), its associated hydraulic loops and qualification hardware, and other test loops and NSE Division experiments.

Responsibilities include:

  • Oversee the construction, startup, commissioning, and operations of intermediate and small-scale liquid metal technology experiments and provide technical support and/or direction for experimental and programmatic work in the areas of mechanical, electromechanical, optical, and electrical systems.
  • Oversee the development, fabrication, troubleshooting, repair, calibration, purchasing, and maintenance for a variety of complex electronic and mechanical apparatus, plant/process equipment, and subsystems, with a specific focus on the intermediate scale liquid metal technology facility (METL) and Argonne’s other liquid metal and surrogate experiments.
  • Design and testing of electro-mechanical equipment for advanced reactors that may be destined for testing in the MELT facility or its supporting infrastructure.
  • Design and testing of electronic systems which typically consist of power supplies and controllers, data logging hardware, and equipment for temperature and valve control.
  • Operate the METL facility or other facilities to provide the necessary conditions for the research and development conducted in the test vessels, etc.
  • Oversee the design and testing of electronic systems which typically consist of power supplies and controllers, data logging hardware, and equipment for temperature and valve control.
  • Coordinate with METL operators the installation and testing of specialized experimental equipment in the METL facility and its associated equipment.
  • Must maintain knowledge and awareness of Laboratory policies and procedures.

Position Requirements

  • Advanced experience with experimental design and operation including instrumentation (thermocouples, pressure transmitters, flow meters, level, etc.) specification, installation and operation.
  • Prior resistance heating systems and LabVIEW/Eurotherm/industrial control experience.
  • Prior liquid metal and high temperature experimental facility operations.
  • Understanding of applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning as applied to experiments is desirable
  • Prior leadership experience.
  • Familiarity with industry standards and practices for electrical and/or mechanical systems.
  • Knowledge of mechanical equipment (motors, pulleys, gears, pumps, valves, etc.), thermal effects on materials and components (expansion, evaporation, etc.), and operation of a personal computer.
  • Knowledge of metallurgy, heat transfer and fluid mechanics.
  • The position may oversee personnel performing shift work.
  • Demonstrated interpersonal, oral and written communication.
  • Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.

This position can be hired at one of two levels; the selected candidate will be placed at the appropriate level (RD2 or RD3) dependent upon the depth and breadth of relevant knowledge and skills. The minimum requirements of the two levels are as follows:

  • RD2: Bachelor’s and 5 years; Master’s and 3 years; Doctorate and 0 years, or equivalent. The expected pay range for this position is $94,486 - $147,399.
  • RD3: Bachelor’s and 8 years; Master’s and 5 years; or Doctorate and 4 years; or equivalent. The expected pay range for this position is $116,250 - $181,350.

Job Family

Research Development (RD)

Job Profile

Nuclear/Reactor Engineering 2

Worker Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $94,486.00 - $147,398.94.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Salary : $94,486 - $147,399

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a METL Experimental Operations Engineer?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the METL Experimental Operations Engineer career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$113,077 - $147,784
Income Estimation: 
$135,356 - $164,911
Income Estimation: 
$153,902 - $198,246
Income Estimation: 
$79,847 - $104,097
Income Estimation: 
$105,225 - $134,937
Income Estimation: 
$105,313 - $133,528
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Argonne National Laboratory

  • Argonne National Laboratory Lemont, IL
  • Under the general supervision of a Building Maintenance Foreman, the Maintenance Mechanic II performs preventive maintenance, operational functions, and mi... more
  • Just Posted

  • Argonne National Laboratory Lemont, IL
  • The Argonne Leadership Computing Facility’s (ALCF) mission is to accelerate major scientific discoveries and engineering breakthroughs for humanity by desi... more
  • Just Posted

  • Argonne National Laboratory Lemont, IL
  • We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Appointee position in the Separations and Bioprocessing Group within the Applied Materials Division at Argonne Na... more
  • Just Posted

  • Argonne National Laboratory Lemont, IL
  • The Postdoctoral Appointee will be part of an R&D group developing multiphysics modeling tools with applications to nuclear fuel recycling, critical materi... more
  • Just Posted


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other METL Experimental Operations Engineer jobs in the Lemont, IL area that may be a better fit.

  • RE-W2SM06 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-CHICAGO Lockport, IL
  • About the Position: Serves as Maintenance Control Specialist for a geographic area supporting major multipurpose water resource projects that may include p... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Argonne National Laboratory Lemont, IL
  • This position will be dedicated to research projects aiming developing and implementing experimental focused application of AI and automation tools for unr... more
  • 1 Day Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!