Principal Mechanical Engineer - Mission Support and Test Services, LLC

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).  Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy.  Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.  In this environment, the best ideas need to be voiced and every opinion matters.  As such, MSTS places great value on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and is committed to a diverse and equitable workforce, with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, and perspectives.

• MSTS offers our full-time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; both a pension and a 401k; paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.  
• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and HII Nuclear Inc.

Key Responsibilities

• Devises solutions to highly complex technical problems of broad scope. Solutions may require resolving conflicting customer expectations and design requirements, utilizing unconventional technology and materials, and cross-disciplinary integration.
• Coordinates complex projects including team members external to MSTS. Focuses on projects of substantial complexity and broad scope, requiring interdisciplinary coordination.
• Interprets and adapts guidelines for operation of facilities operated by the Dynamic Experiments Portfolio.
• Evaluates processes, procedures, and work instructions to improve performance.
• Prepares work statements for complex subcontracts and procurements, evaluates bids and makes recommendation for awards.
• Provides expertise on operational goals of the explosives experiments, gas-gun and powder-gun facilities.
• Serves as consultant to less experienced engineers, providing practical advice on implementation of solutions for mechanical design, fabrication and performance. .
• Defines customer needs and develops technical proposals for research and development in dynamic experiments for testing of stockpile assurance diagnostics.
• Conducts or leads research for internal and external customers; develops and designs new instrumentation, equipment, and procedures for testing and solving problems; presents papers; and keeps abreast of new technological developments, methods or materials, keeping management informed of important new advances.
• Directs the work of contractors and suppliers by ensuring their efforts are integrated and focused on established objectives.
• Ensures team’s processes and deliverables comply with laws, codes, orders, and MSTS policies and procedures.
• Develops and presents education or training in mechanical engineering.
• In addition to fulfilling basic ESH&Q obligations:
  • Must address all aspects of safety in design and execution of work.
  • Work may affect public health and safety.
  • Likely to act as a safety team lead.
  • May help formulate ESH&Q protocols.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Management.

• Minimum Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in a mechanical engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) required;
  • Or, Calculus-based STEM bachelor’s degree in engineering;
  • Or, for Architects, Certification from the National Council or Architectural Registration Board
    (NCARB)
  • Or Professional Engineer license
• Plus at least 9 years’ relevant experience. Skill building experience must demonstrate either deeper technical specialization or additional cross-disciplinary knowledge. Graduate research experience may be recognized.  
• PE license or other certification, if required by Position Description.
• Membership in discipline organizations (ACI, AISC, ASME, etc.) may be required, depending on job requirements.
• Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2, “Personnel Security”. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Department of Energy Q Clearance (position will be cleared to this level). Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4, “Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites,” will be conducted.  Applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination, may also be required. Reference 10 CFR Part 709, “Counterintelligence Evaluation Program.”

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

Annual salary range for this position is: $121,451.20 - $185,224.00.

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity.