Mechanical Design Engineer

Idaho National Laboratory seeks Mechanical Engineers to shape the future of national security by pioneering solutions for motion, heat, and fluid dynamics that secure America's energy infrastructure while advancing critical technologies. You'll decompose project goals into defined design requirements, use best practices in design methodologies to develop and validate designs, use physics-based mathematical models of mechanical, and document designs to establish conformance with requirements and standards.

Your responsibilities include establishing testing and quality requirements, ensuring fabrication and procurement align with design specifications, and equipment while performing calculations, providing solutions to technical problems and recommendations for improvements, and supporting new project development including proposals and business plans. You'll mentor junior engineering staff.

• Design mechanical systems for infrastructure projects, including piping, HVAC, and utility systems.
• Develop detailed designs, calculations, and specifications for hoisting and rigging systems, lifting devices, and material handling equipment.
• Perform structural and mechanical analyses to ensure systems meet operational, safety, and compliance requirements.
• Plan and design mechanical infrastructure systems to support operations activities.
• Collaborate with civil, structural, and electrical engineers to integrate mechanical systems into broader infrastructure projects.
• Support modernization and upgrades to existing infrastructure systems.
• Design production and research equipment by following a structured design process, including defining and documenting functional requirements, to ensure effective support for fabrication, testing, and deployment.
• Develop detailed mechanical drawings, schematics, and 3D models for custom mechanical components.
• Prepare fabrication-ready drawings, including dimensions, tolerances, material specifications, and assembly instructions.
• Review and redline existing drawings to reflect modifications, upgrades, or as-built conditions.
• Support the inspection, testing, and validation of mechanical systems and components based on design requirements.
• Design and analyze hoisting and rigging equipment—lifting devices—while ensuring compliance with ASME, ANSI, OSHA, and other applicable standards.
• Support the design, inspection, and maintenance of below-the-hook lifting devices, including beams, spreaders, and specialized attachments, as part of broader hoisting/rigging efforts.
• Provide technical expertise for lifting plans, load path analyses, and critical lift operations.
• Ensure all designs and operations comply with INL safety standards, federal regulations, and industry best practices.
• Participate in safety reviews, risk assessments, and incident investigations.
• Maintain detailed engineering documentation, including design records, inspection reports, and technical specifications.
• Provide field engineering support during installation, testing, and commissioning of mechanical systems and equipment.
• Collaborate with project managers, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Conduct inspections and troubleshoot issues with mechanical systems, proposing effective solutions as needed.

• Implement best practices and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance testing efficiency and accuracy.
• Provide feedback to design and manufacturing teams for product improvement.

• Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related field from an ABET-accredited institution plus 5 years of relevant experience commensurate with the level.
• Masters degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related field from an ABET-accredited institution plus 2 years of relevant experience commensurate with the level.

• Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related field from an ABET-accredited institution plus 9 years of relevant experience commensurate with the level.
• Masters degree in mechanical engineering or a directly related field from an ABET-accredited institution plus 6…