Job Details

Description

Talent Bridge: Applied Mechanical Engineer

Location: MFC Site, Idaho National Laboratory

Schedule: 4X10's with every Friday off

Program Duration: 12 months, with a potential 1-year extension.

Position Overview: Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is seeking a recent bachelor's graduate for our Talent Bridge program, designed to transition individuals from academic study to career readiness. As an Applied Mechanical Engineer, you will use engineering principles to design, build, test, and install specialized equipment that supports nuclear fuel fabrication activities. You will create CAD-driven designs, develop lab-scale components, run experiments, and assemble and test fabrication systems to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operations. This role blends engineering design with hands-on fabrication, experimentation, and plant maintenance support.

Responsibilities:

• Decompose project objectives into defined and controlled design requirements.

• Use design methodologies, technologies, and processes which are best practice for the technical discipline to develop and define a design, and to validate that the design meets defined requirements.

• Maintain familiarity with and technical understanding of codes and standards applicable to the discipline.

• Oversee or otherwise ensure that fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement are done in accordance with the design.

• Provide solutions to technical problems and recommendations for improvements in production activities. This may include planning, design, and constructing manufacturing facilities and similar structures or production processes.

• Support and lead the development of new projects at the INL in area of specialty, including the development of proposals and business plans.

• Responsible for experiment design and fabrication and associated activities leading to irradiation. Establish experiment designs, demonstrate experiment requirements, and confirm experiment integrated analyses to ensure nuclear safety basis are met.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering or directly related engineering field from an ABET-accredited institution.

• Talent Bridge Applicants must have graduated from a college or university with a bachelor's degree within the last 12 months.

• CAD experience applied in experimental design or laboratory settings.

• Completion of a capstone project during undergraduate studies.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous participant in an INL internship.

• Experience working in a laboratory environment.

• Familiarity with robotic or automated systems.
  
  

Application Requirements:

• Current Resume or CV

• Proof of graduation either through copy of diploma or Transcripts

Program Benefits:

• Mentored environment providing post-degree work experience.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Accelerated knowledge transfer from retiring staff to early career individuals.

Review and Evaluation:

• Performance and satisfaction will be reviewed every three months. At the six-month review, the next potential steps will be discussed:
• Transition to a full-time role
• Pursue additional education
• Explore other opportunities

Job Information:

• The pay range for this position is $82,151 - $88,992. At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds without assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.

INL does not accept resumes from third-party vendors unsolicited.

Primary Location: US-ID-Idaho Falls Job: Engineering Organization: Materials & Fuels Complex-MFC (Uxxx) Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular Job Posting: Sep 8, 2025, 4:56:56 PM Unposting Date: Sep 14, 2025, 5:59:00 AM RELOCATION: Position Relocation Eligible TELEWORK: On-Site Worker