Civil Engineer – AI and Automation

Idaho National Laboratory is a science-based national laboratory focused on nuclear energy research, clean energy, and critical infrastructure. The Civil Engineer – AI and Automation will perform structural engineering and develop BIM, finite element, Python, and agentic AI solutions to automate engineering workflows for nuclear energy applications. The role also supports multidisciplinary design coordination, safety analysis, licensing workflows, and publication of research findings.

What you'll do:

• Perform structural engineering analysis and design for buildings and structures that house nuclear processing equipment
• Develop and maintain structural, mechanical, and piping models using Building Information Modeling (BIM) platforms and IFC-based data schemas to support multidisciplinary design coordination and data interoperability across engineering teams
• Build, run, and validate Finite Element Models (FEM) to evaluate structural and mechanical component behavior
• Design and develop Python-based software tools, scripts, and workflows to automate and accelerate structural, mechanical, and piping engineering tasks such as code-compliance checks, load calculations, drawing/model data extraction, and design iteration
• Design, build, and deploy agentic AI systems that automate portions of the engineering lifecycle, including design checks, safety analysis support, and licensing documentation workflows
• Translate civil/structural and mechanical engineering domain knowledge (codes, standards, calculation methods) into requirements and logic that can be encoded into AI/ML models and autonomous agents
• Integrate BIM/IFC model data into AI and automation pipelines to enable use cases such as automated quantity takeoff, structural code compliance screening, and model-based design review
• Contribute to the publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals and technical conference proceedings

What they're looking for:

• PhD in Civil or Mechanical Engineering
• Experience with in BIM/IFC
• Knowledge with Finite Element Analysis
• Familiarity with agentic programming
• Python
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• 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
• 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
• To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS)
• Education or experience in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Benefits:

• 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
• 9x80 schedule with every other Friday off