Idaho National Laboratory is hiring an Instrumentation and Controls Engineer to work on our Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) Engineering team. This position works a 4x10 schedule at MFC with every Friday off.
The Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) at INL empowers the next generation of nuclear energy advances through hosting a unique combination of personnel, facilities, and infrastructure. MFC offers the ability to perform research and development of nuclear fuels and material from fuels design, development, and fabrication through to post-irradiation analysis.
You will apply engineering principles to research, design, develop, install, and maintain equipment required to monitor and control the engineering machinery processes and systems found in manufacturing and energy production environments. May include preparing releasable drawings, calculations, and specifications for electrical or mechanical instrumentation and controls (including Distributed Control Systems and Programmable Logic Controllers) for design, construction, or maintenance. May include application of engineering principles and data analytics to monitor and evaluate condition and operational performance of electrical and mechanical systems; recommend maintenance and repair standards and procedures; identify vendor data, replacement, and spare parts; coordinate resources and priorities necessary to attain or maintain the appropriate system condition.
Responsibilities:
- Work with a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers on challenging work scope.
- Work with internal and external stakeholders to identify requirements and commercially available technologies that meet specific specifications. Collaborate and partner with other government agencies, academia, and private sector companies to achieve project objectives. 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.
- Develop physics-based mathematical models of mechanical, chemical, and electrical systems to support and verify design.
- Establish testing, inspection, and quality requirements to ensure technical features important to design functions are maintained.
- Oversee or otherwise ensure that fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement are done in accordance with the design.
- Ensure that analysis needs are recorded and clearly understood. Document the design (controlled and approved models, drawings, specifications, design descriptions) to establish conformance with design requirements and applicable codes and standards.
- Ensure that data and analysis generated by the instruments is of high quality and meets customer and user needs.
- Participate in professional development activities aimed at keeping pace with industry developments. Maintain familiarity with and technical understanding of codes and standards applicable to the discipline.
- Maintain knowledge of newly emerging technologies and applications to the nuclear industry.
- Identify applicable codes, standards, regulations, and procedures.
- Publish and communicate research accomplished on the instrument and instrument improvements to both external and internal audiences with the goal of enhancing the INL’s reputation and building a strong user base for the instrument.
- Mentor junior staff and look for opportunities to involve them in current projects.
- Generate ideas for new proposals and business development opportunities.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements:
- Level 2: Bachelor’s degree in engineering from a program accredited by ABET. Relevant disciplines include Mechanical, Nuclear, Electrical, Chemical Engineering, or closely related engineering field and 2 years experience. Master’s and 0 years of experience. PhD and 0 years experience.
- Level 3: Bachelor’s degree in engineering from a program accredited by ABET. Relevant disciplines include Mechanical, Nuclear, Electrical, Chemical Engineering, or closely related engineering field and 5 years experience. Master’s and 2 years of experience. PhD and 2 years experience.
- This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy "L" clearance, which requires US Citizenship.
Preferred:
- Advanced degree in a directly related field from an ABET-accredited institution.
- Demonstrated ability to perform independent research and methods development.
- Experience in DOE nuclear facilities, commercial nuclear power, or naval nuclear power.
- Experience in reactor control system qualification or licensing.
- Licensed professional engineer, preferred areas include instrumentation and controls, nuclear engineering, electrical power.
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 environment, which may include construction sites. 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 30 pounds. 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.
Job Information:
- The pay range for this position is: Level 2 ($79,344- $162,732) / Level 3 ($95,256- $195,288). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
- Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.
- TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.
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 environment, which may include construction sites. 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 30 pounds. 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.
About UsBenefits and Relocation
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
- 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
- Paid time off (personal leave)
- Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
- Comprehensive Relocation Package
- Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.
At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.
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.
INL Mission:
Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.
INL Vision:
Our vision is 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.Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program in Mechanical, Nuclear, Electrical, Chemical, or closely related engineering
- Two years of relevant experience for Level 2, or five years of relevant experience for Level 3
- Master's degree may qualify with zero years of experience for Level 2 or two years for Level 3
- PhD may qualify with zero years of experience for Level 2 or two years for Level 3
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy L clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- Advanced degree in a directly related field from an ABET-accredited institution
- Ability to perform independent research and methods development
- Experience in DOE nuclear facilities, commercial nuclear power, or naval nuclear power
- Experience in reactor control system qualification or licensing
- Licensed professional engineer, preferably in instrumentation and controls, nuclear engineering, or electrical power
Idaho National Laboratory Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Idaho National Laboratory and has not been reviewed or approved by Idaho National Laboratory.
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Retirement Support — The retirement plan provides a core employer contribution plus matching, repeatedly highlighted as a standout element, with exact formulas to be confirmed in offer materials. This structure positions long-term savings as a central value of the total rewards package.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, vision, employer-paid life/AD&D, and paid short- and long-term disability coverage are described alongside FSAs/HSAs and wellness resources. These offerings indicate broad protection for employees and their families.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid personal leave, holidays, floating holidays, parental bonding leave, military leave, and adoption assistance are called out, with some roles also featuring compressed schedules like 4/10s or 9/80s. Together, these elements support work-life balance across a range of needs.
Idaho National Laboratory Insights
What We Do
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory and the nation’s leading center for nuclear-energy research and development. It conducts scientific and engineering work across integrated energy systems, clean-energy technologies, cybersecurity, national and homeland security, critical infrastructure, and environmental science. Its mission is to discover, demonstrate, and secure innovative nuclear-energy solutions, other clean-energy options, and critical infrastructure.







