Principle Nuclear Engineer - SME 3

Principal Nuclear Engineering (Subject Matter Expert – Level 3)

Client: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)

Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico

Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship Required

Clearance: Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance

Work Schedule: Full-time, Onsite Only

Salary: $120/hr – $130/hr

🚫 Mandatory Experience Requirement – Read Before Applying

Candidates must meet all of the following criteria to be considered:

• U.S. Citizenship (mandatory for Q-clearance eligibility)
• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years of technical or engineering management experience, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Expert-level knowledge of engineering codes, standards, and requirements used in nuclear and DOE/NNSA environments (e.g., ASME, NQA-1, IEEE, NFPA, NEC, IBC, IEBC)
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams in nuclear or high-hazard facilities
  
  

Applications missing any of the above qualifications will not be considered.

Impact

As a Principal Nuclear Engineering professional (SME-3) at LANL, you will serve as a senior technical authority guiding engineering, construction, startup, and operations/maintenance for critical nuclear facility systems.

Your expertise supports national security missions, ensures safe and compliant operations, and strengthens engineering excellence across one of the most advanced nuclear research environments in the country.

Responsibilities And Duties

• Provide senior-level technical, operational, and management guidance to PFE-DO and associated engineering teams.
• Direct daily tasks and engineering activities supporting design, construction, startup, and O&M for nuclear facility systems, structures, and components.
• Interpret and enforce DOE/NNSA standards, regulatory codes, and engineering criteria (ASME, NQA-1, IEEE, NFPA, NEC, etc.).
• Lead and oversee 30%/60%/90% design package development, reviews, and approvals.
• Deliver independent technical assessments and expert recommendations for high-hazard, high-consequence engineering issues.
• Develop, implement, and enforce engineering work standards, quality expectations, and organizational objectives.
• Support schedule development and review cost and schedule estimating activities (including P6, MS Project, EVMS methodologies).
• Lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams to solve complex technical challenges in nuclear facilities.
• Conduct root-cause evaluations and provide senior-level engineering insights to improve facility performance and safety.
• Interface with management, customer representatives, and project stakeholders to evaluate organizational performance and identify improvements.
• Drive process improvement initiatives and support continuous advancement of engineering systems and operations.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of engineering or technical management experience, OR an equivalent combination demonstrating senior engineering expertise.
• Expert knowledge of nuclear facility engineering requirements, DOE/NNSA regulations, and national engineering codes/standards.
• Proven ability to direct, coordinate, and advise multi-discipline engineering teams.
• Skilled in schedule and cost management tools (e.g., P6, MS Project, EVMS).
• Demonstrated success resolving complex engineering problems in nuclear or high-hazard environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information to leadership.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-security clearance.
  
  

Desired Skills

• Prior experience supporting DOE, NNSA, DOD, or commercial nuclear programs.
• Senior-level experience in technical advisory, design review, systems engineering, or operational readiness.
• Advanced knowledge of engineering design processes, system analysis, and nuclear facility operations.
• Strong organizational leadership and process improvement capabilities.
  
  

Required

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum 10 years of relevant engineering/technical leadership experience, OR equivalent combination showing senior-level technical capability.
  
  

Why Work at COMPA Industries?

COMPA has supported national laboratories and high-security government programs for over 30 years.

We Offer

• Competitive compensation
• Opportunities to support national security missions
• A collaborative, mission-focused work environment
• Long-term career paths in nuclear and technical engineering fields
  
  

Equal Opportunity Statement

Compa Industries is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or protected veteran status.