Instrumentation & Controls System Engineer (WETF Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2/3)
Los Alamos National Laboratory · Los Alamos, NM
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $106k–$176k
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 26 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Los Alamos National Laboratory (industrial) in Los Alamos, NM. Systems you support are needed to operate a leading research and development Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility.
- They ask for
- 3+ years
- Tools it names
- DOE
- Base pay
- $106k–$176k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $97k–$140k. This one lists $106k–$176k.
Median of the low and high ends of 273 live postings that list pay, out of 812 controls engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
New Mexico plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 9 other live controls postings in New Mexico.
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- PLC 80%
- Automation 60%
- AutoCAD 20%
- ✓ DOE 20%
- Team leadership 20%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Los Alamos National Laboratory
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos
3 other open roles at this site.
- Operations Center Supervisor (Manufacturing Manager 1) · Production · Supervisor
- R&D Manufacturing Engineer – CAD/CAM · Manufacturing
- Welding Process Engineer · Process
Full description from Los Alamos National LaboratoryAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
What You Will Do
The Engineering Services Division of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) develops, maintains, and applies a diverse set of engineering capabilities to provide innovative engineering solutions that enable the Laboratory's scientific and national security mission. This position is within the Engineering Services Division Office (ES-DO) which is responsible for implementing the Conduct of Engineering (COE) program at LANL in support of systems, structure and component modifications and new installations, as well as supporting existing systems, modifications and customers occupying the facilities.
This position supports the Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility (WETF) Nuclear Facility as a System Engineer to serve as system owner of multiple accredited facility systems. As a part of the System Engineering Team, systems you support are needed to operate a leading research and development Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility.
Note: This position will be filled at either the Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2 or 3 level depending on the skills and/or experience of the selected candidate. Additional job
responsibilities
(outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
Nuclear Facilities Engineer Level 2 ($106,400 - $176,000)
As a Nuclear Facilities Engineer with Engineering Services, you will function as a System Engineer assigned to vital safety systems at WETF. WETF is part of the Weapons Facilities Operations (WFO) organization, which supports the nation's nuclear weapons research, development, and stockpile modernization mission.
As a System Engineer you will serve as the primary technical authority for assigned facility systems and components and are responsible for maintaining system performance, technical baseline, and configuration throughout the system lifecycle. You will provide technical support for facility operations, maintenance, design modifications, and system upgrades while coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
You will apply broad, in-depth knowledge of DOE Orders, nuclear safety requirements, and national consensus codes to develop engineering solutions that uphold the highest standards of safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. Engineers at this level serve as technical authorities, lead portions of project and design work, guide system performance, and contribute to engineering strategies that ensure mission execution across complex, high-consequence facilities.
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Instrumentation & Controls System Engineer (WETF Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2/3) | Los Alamos, NM | Los Alamos National Laboratory
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Instrumentation & Controls System Engineer (WETF Nuclear Facilities Engineer 2/3)
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Recruiter Email
jsanch20@lanl.gov
The level 2 role includes the following job opportunities
- •Represent the Engineering Services Division in project execution and technical coordination
- •Develop and review conceptual and detailed engineering designs to ensure technical adequacy and compliance with applicable codes and standards
- •Assess the condition and performance of facility systems and infrastructure
- •Apply sound engineering judgment to resolve complex technical challenges
- •Develop engineering cost estimates and project scopes
- •Produce engineering design deliverables and technical documentation
- •Adhere to LANL Engineering Standards, Conduct of Engineering requirements, and applicable industry codes and standards
- •Support organizational initiatives that improve engineering and business practices
- •Assess, maintain, and upgrade facility systems supporting WETF operations and mission needs
- •Support Configuration Management, Technical Support to Operations and Maintenance, System Health and Performance Monitoring, and Technical Support to Programs and Projects
- •Research, evaluate, and implement engineering solutions in response to changes in nuclear facility practices, regulations, and standards
- •Lead portions of engineering projects and multidisciplinary technical teams supporting mission deliverables
- •Identify and lead engineering activities within the assigned engineering discipline in support of facility design, operations, maintenance, and system reliability
Nuclear Facilities Engineer Level 3 ($128,000 - $215,900)
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at