Systems engineer - ai and automation

The Nuclear Science & Technology (NS&T) directorate at Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Systems Engineer - AI and Automation - to work in our Digital Engineering department. This position sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, and model-based systems engineering: you will own the architecture, development, and integration of sophisticated digital and agentic AI systems that automate and accelerate engineering workflows across design, safety, and licensing.

What You'll Actually Be Doing

• Architect, develop, and integrate digital and agentic AI systems that automate and accelerate design engineering, safety, and licensing processes in the nuclear energy industry, including integrations with open-source and commercial platforms such as CAD and modeling and simulation tools.
• Define and validate system requirements for digital and agentic systems, building traceability frameworks that preserve functional integrity and keep systems aligned with mission objectives and with regulatory and organizational policy.
• Perform system-level trade studies on the feasibility, risks, and benefits of bringing ML/AI into design engineering workflows and deliver authoritative recommendations to technical and program leadership.
• Curate datasets and design repeatable, scalable data retrieval procedures, and lead data pipeline development that upholds data quality, integrity, and security from training through production deployment.

Why This Role Matters

Design, safety, and licensing work sets the pace of nuclear deployment, and the AI systems you build will make that work faster while keeping it traceable, secure, and compliant. At INL, that means helping move the nation's next generation of nuclear energy from concept to reality.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Apply software engineering principles, theories and concepts to complex analytical processes and information.
• Leverage modeling and simulation to address complex problems.
• Analyze, test, modify, document, and maintain models or simulation-based systems related to scientific domains.
• Optimize, program, and develop software using appropriate technologies for the application (which may include MATLAB, Simulink, Python).
• Build, integrate, and support agentic AI workflows and other AI/ML-driven capabilities.

Required:

• Advanced degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Must have strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Must demonstrate collaboration consistently and effectively.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Experience designing and deploying ML/AI or agentic systems that automate engineering workflows.
• Hands-on experience integrating modeling and simulation tools with systems.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
• Experience writing code in Python.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands to handle materials, manipulate tools, keyboard and type, reach with hands and arms, and operate job-related equipment. 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.

Job Information:

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Systems Engineer - AI and Automation to work on our Digital Engineering team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Collaborative Computing Center facility with every other Friday off.

• The pay range for this position is $79,344 - $162,732. At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.

Benefits 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.