Applied AI Engineer
Idaho National Laboratory is hiring an Applied AI Engineer to work in our Autonomous Engineering department. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Idaho Falls facility with every other Friday off.
The Autonomous Engineering Department leads research into the application of AI & data-driven design techniques towards accelerating the design and construction timelines of advanced energy projects. The department focuses on changing the way the project personnel author and manage engineering data, building digital engineering ecosystems to connect this data, and leveraging emerging software technologies to increase intelligent automation across the project lifecycle. This group consists of engineers and scientists with backgrounds in both traditional engineering disciplines (mechanical, civil, etc.) and software development, collectively committed to securing our energy future by eliminating repetitive and time-consuming tasks currently bottlenecking engineering and construction workflows.
Responsibilities Include:
- Apply advanced technologies, such as Explainable Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), Large language models (LLMs), physics-informed machine learning process-informed Machine Learning, systems performance analysis, and data sensor fusion methodologies to eliminate engineering process bottlenecks within the nuclear energy industry.
- Demonstrate effective research skills and the ability to collaborate and partner with other government agencies, academia, and private sector companies to achieve project objectives.
- Publish results of research and development in a mix of refereed publications and conference proceedings.
- Work with other research teams to develop and manage cross-cutting technical programs for a variety of customers.
- Develop and maintain notebooks, software, and applications.
- Work with software and database developers to develop, test, and deploy software code to development, staging and production environments.
- May develop software for custom solutions, including 3D visualization tools, paralleled software, batch scripting and web api interaction/development.
- Analyze data quality, characterize, and communicate data quality issues to data providers, and design repeatable data processing procedures to accurately analyze data in the presence of quality issues.
- Work with domain experts to understand the scope and limits of questions that can be answered by data sets, identify key data features as inputs to analysis, and design output metrics that elegantly describe system attributes and behavior.
- Employ specialized methods and state-of-the-art data analysis and modeling tools to support the INL's mission by ensuring the nation’s safe, and sustainable use of engineered systems in many domains by applying capabilities to impactful issues in risk, reliability, and operational performance.
- Work with data providers, database administrators, and software developers to diagnose and solve problems with data and software systems quickly and effectively.
- You will report to the department manager.
- This posting closes: 7/31/25
Minimum Requirements:
- Level 2: Bachelor’s Degree in computer science, engineering, or related degree and 2 years of relevant experience. Master’s and 0 years of relevant experience.
- Level 3: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or related degree and 5 years of relevant experience. Master’s and 2 years of relevant experience.
- Relevant domain experience to include either previous work in the engineering and construction field or working knowledge of the engineering and construction process for physical infrastructure projects
- Relevant software experience to include integrating large language models with complex data sets produced in the engineering & construction field, and adapting machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies to solve scientific problems and to extract new insights from scientific data.
Job Information:
- The pay range for this position is: Level 2 ($77,628 - $159,228) / Level 3 ($93,204 - $191,076). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
- Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.
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 jobrelated 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.
Benefits and Relocation
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
- 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match
- Paid time off (personal leave)
- Employee Education Program (tuition assistance)
- 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 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.