Chief Engineer; Criticality Safety Analyst

What You Will Do

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a visionary Chief Engineer for the Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) Division. This high‑impact technical leadership role is reserved for individuals with a national reputation for excellence in nuclear criticality safety and nuclear facility operations. As the Chief Engineer, you will serve as the primary technical authority on NCS for LANL, ensuring that the Laboratory’s most complex nuclear operations are conducted with the strongest criticality safety practices applied.

You will bridge the gap between groundbreaking R&D and operational excellence, shaping the national agenda for nuclear safety and technology. You will report to the NCS Division Leader but work semi‑independently. The selected candidate is expected to have a large breadth of knowledge of all the disciplines and activities that are required to support a nuclear facility.

• Visionary Leadership:
  Define the long‑term technical roadmap for the NCS Division, identifying and developing new capabilities to meet national security challenges.
• Technical Authority:
  Serve as a national authority, influencing DOE/NNSA standards and participating in national panels (e.g. CSSG) or professional society leadership (e.g., ANS).
• Project Oversight:
  Lead large‑scale, high‑impact technical projects that integrate cross‑institutional teams to solve challenges presented by the nuclear deterrence complex.
• Strategic Policy:
  Navigate the intersection of nuclear safety and nuclear operations supporting national security missions, providing expert recommendations to senior Laboratory management and government leaders.
• Mentorship:
  Champion a culture of technical excellence by mentoring the next generation of NCS leaders and fostering an inclusive, safe, and compliant work environment.
• Peer Recognition:
  Maintain a prolific record of seminal technical products, including journal papers, patents, and invited presentations at the national level.

• Authority:
  Recognized as a pre‑eminent voice in the field with "world‑class" expertise and a history of paradigm‑shifting contributions.
• National Influence:
  Experience building and leading multi‑institutional national teams and influencing national professional standards.
• Intellectual Property: A significant portfolio of seminal publications, patents, or technical products that have shaped the current state of knowledge in nuclear safety.

Education/

Experience:

This position requires a Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering or a related STEM field and 20 years of relevant experience. The position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities.

• Nuclear Criticality Standards:
  Deep familiarity with ANSI/ANS‑8 standards and DOE Standards and Orders.
• Safety Management Programs (e.g., Nuclear Safety and Fire Protection):
  Be well‑versed in other safety management programs and able to support peer organizations and understand the cross‑connects that support nuclear facilities.
• Modeling & Simulation:
  Advanced knowledge of Monte Carlo codes (e.g., MCNP) applied to complex criticality geometries.
• Fissile Material Operations:
  Advanced knowledge of chemical and metallurgical processes utilized in the processing of fissile materials.
• Safety Culture:
  An exemplary champion of personal safety, security, and the "stop work" authority.
• Communication:
  Exceptional ability to translate complex technical data into actionable insights for government officials and executive leadership.

The work location for this position is onsite in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

This role involves working in a dynamic operations environment. You will interact routinely with senior Laboratory management and Department of Energy leaders. Minimal supervision is provided; you are expected to operate with significant autonomy and build teams that accomplish strategic national goals.

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their…