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Talent Bridge Post Bachelors: Applied Mechanical Engineer

Talent Bridge Post Bachelors: Applied Mechanical Engineer

locationUnited States
PublishedPublished: 1/17/2026
Engineering
Full Time
$84,000 - $90,960 per year

Description

Talent Bridge: Applied Mechanical Engineer

Location: MFC Site, Idaho National Laboratory

Schedule: 4X10’s with every Friday off

Program Duration: 12 months, with a potential 1-year extension.

Position Overview: Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is seeking a recent bachelor's graduate for our Talent Bridge program, designed to transition individuals from academic study to career readiness. Apply engineering principles to the solution of mechanical problems. Mechanical problems are those that are related to the motion and dynamics of heat, gas, air, fluids, and solid materials required to design machines and systems whose parts and assemblies’ function in a safe and reliable, efficient, and predictable manner. Applied Mechanical Engineers support research capabilities. This position is part of the INL Nuclear Nexus.

Responsibilities:

  • 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.
  • Maintain familiarity with and technical understanding of codes and standards applicable to the discipline.
  • Document the design (controlled and approved models, drawings, specifications, design descriptions) to establish conformance with design requirements and applicable codes and standards.
  • 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.
  • Develop and maintain the assigned systems/equipment. Perform calculations related to the specifications of project, including analysis and evaluation of location, material resources, and mechanical design.
  • Provide solutions to technical problems and recommendations for improvements in production activities. This may include planning, design, and constructing manufacturing facilities and similar structures or production processes.
  • Apply engineering principles to monitor and evaluate condition and operational performance of plant systems related to mechanical engineering; 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.
  • Support and lead the development of new projects at the INL in area of specialty, including the development of proposals and business plans.
  • Ensure any design modification meets the technical baseline requirements and applicable codes and regulations
  • Recommend and initiate modifications to support programmatic missions and operational goals and lead preparation of design efforts.
  • Develop, ensure adequacy of, and maintain configuration management of the technical baseline. Establish and maintain configuration management of assigned system. Maintain cognizance of system/equipment status and performance through review of operating logs and observation of operations.
  • Ensure consistency in operation characteristics among applicable documents such as drawings, technical manuals, operating instructions, emergency operating procedures.
  • Enhance technical/professional skills of junior engineering staff through mentoring and training.
  • Work with other designers, customers, and analysts to develop experiment requirements, perform conceptual and final designs, follow all fabrication and inspection activities, lead experiment assembly activities, support installation and testing of experiments, and support development of integrated analyses in order to ensure that facility safety bases are met.
  • Responsible for experiment design and fabrication and associated activities leading to irradiation. Establish experiment designs, demonstrate experiment requirements, and confirm experiment integrated analyses to ensure nuclear safety basis are met.
  • Lead the development of project specific documentation, such as checked and signed drawings. Check drawings developed by others.
  • Other duties as assigned.

    Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
  • Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Ability to clearly communicate information and ideas verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to explain complete concepts to other co-workers
  • Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering or directly related engineering field from an ABET and CEAB accredited institution.
  • Talent Bridge Applicants must have graduated from a college or university with a bachelor’s degree within the last 12 months.
  • Experience evaluating the structural integrity of aerospace hardware to meet NASA requirements for creep, fatigue, random vibration, sine burst and shock using FEA and classical methods.
  • Knowledge of aerospace hardware verification testing for NASA programs.
  • Experience writing operations procedures for aerospace hardware assembly and testing.



Preferred Qualifications:

  • Previous participant in an INL internship.
  • Radiation Safety, Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), and Cleanroom Environment training preferred.


Application Requirements:

  • Current Resume or CV
  • Proof of Graduation (diploma or unofficial transcripts accepted)


Program Benefits:

  • Mentored environment providing post-degree work experience.
  • Opportunities for professional development and training.
  • Accelerated knowledge transfer from retiring staff to early career individuals.


Review and Evaluation: Performance and satisfaction will be reviewed at three, six, and nine months. At the six-month review, potential next steps will be discussed:

  • Transition to a full-time role
  • Pursue additional education
  • Explore other opportunities


Job Information:

The pay range for this position is $84,000 - $90,960. At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.

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 laboratory environment. 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 25 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits and Relocation:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
  • 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution
  • Paid time off (personal leave)
  • Comprehensive Relocation Package
  • Benefit eligibility subject multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.


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 5,000 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to discover new science and development technologies that underpin the nation’s nuclear and renewable energy, national security, and environmental missions.

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, proof of graduation, and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume, proof of graduation, or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.

INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.

Salary range

  • $84,000 - $90,960 per year