HLW Plant Engineer

The High-Level Waste (HLW) Operations Support organization provides engineering oversight, program support, and qualified staff to support the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) mission.  The mission includes safely storing, treating, and immobilizing the highly hazardous radiological wastes created during prior periods of nuclear processing at the Hanford Reservation. The HLW Operations Support organization is responsible for providing the framework for executing Plant Engineering and Maintenance work. HLW Operations Support personnel are responsible for the technical adequacy of department work products and decisions.

Within the HLW Operations Support organization, Plant Engineering and Maintenance support is needed for the various types of equipment associated with the process, chemical reagent, waste disposal, melter, off-gas, HVAC, and utility systems.  These systems and equipment include the following:

• Mechanical handling systems with equipment such as cranes, hoists, conveyors, bogies, shield doors, shield windows, elevators, hatches, and manipulators

• Process, chemical reagent, pneumatic transfer, and waste disposal systems with equipment such as pumps, motors, vessels, piping, valving, mixers, and heat exchangers

• Melter and off-gas systems including equipment such as refractory, heating/cooling components, electrodes, scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators, high efficiency mist eliminators (HEMEs), high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, activated carbon adsorbers, silver mordenite columns, selective catalytic oxidizers (SCOs), selective catalytic reducers (SCRs), as well as exhausters

• HVAC systems with equipment such as motors, fans, exhausters, and dampers

• Utility systems such as demineralized water, domestic water, plant cooling water, process service water, high / low pressure steam, and other miscellaneous gases with equipment such as pumps, motors, vessels, piping, valving, filter, boilers, chillers, compressors, and heat exchangers

• Instrumentation associated with the systems identified above such as position, temperature, pressure, level, density, and flowrate

The following are typical activities for the Engineers within HLW Operations Support:

• Developing and maintaining consistency among design requirements, documentation, and physical configuration for the systems; and to integrate the elements of system requirements and performance criteria, system assessments, change control, work control, and documentation control

• Ensuring key design documents, including system descriptions/system design description and facility descriptions/facility design description are identified, developed, and maintained to support facility safety basis development and safe operation

• Conducting system assessments that include periodic reviews of system operability, reliability, and material condition

• Establishment and implementation of maintenance programs for assigned systems/components inclusive of preservation maintenance, corrective maintenance, and predictive maintenance

• Verifying systems are tested after maintenance or modification to ensure continued capability to fulfill system requirements and to meet functional acceptance criteria

• Providing support for facility operations and maintenance staff

REQUIREMENTS/SPECIFICATIONS

Education:

Bachelor of Science degree (or equivalent education) in an appropriate engineering discipline or related science from a four-year accredited college or university

Experience:

Minimum of two years of professional technical experience

Candidate must have excellent written and verbal communication skills

Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft application suite (e.g., Word, Excel, Access, Visio, PowerPoint, etc.)

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in processing facilities, DOE facilities, or DOD facilities

• Experience with national consensus codes and standards

• Experience with establishment and implementation of maintenance programs

Progression to the next grade is based upon complexity of assignment and performance.

 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES/TASKS

• Implement HLW Operations program elements as assigned

• Develop, review, concur with and/or assess engineering technical documents

• Develop, review, concur with and/or assess management control procedures, technical procedures, or guides

• Assess facilities, systems, and/or processes anomalies or degraded conditions

• Resolve condition report issues or other similar discrepancies as assigned

• Develop or request support to develop engineering products for system or equipment repair or replacement

• Provide on-site technical support during preventative or corrective maintenance activities or commissioning

• Assist assigned engineers in determining operability and correcting out-of-specification conditions

• Ensure the health and safety of self and staff by implementing the principles of Integrated Safety Management System

• Ensure that personal conduct of work is consistent with nuclear safety and quality culture expectations

• Meet training requirements and maintain qualifications to perform work

This job description is not intended to include every duty, task, or instruction for which an employee is responsible. Other tasks may be assigned, based on business needs and the department supervisor’s request.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

NA

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

(PFM-HOA) Plant Facility Management Hazard Activity Observer - Performs desk work, including writing, computer workstation processes, and telephone operation. Arranges for and/or perform presentations, oral reports, planning meetings, and other formal and informal contacts.  May require long periods of sitting and/or standing. Occasional lifting or transport of items from desk and printing stations.  Oversee field activities inside and outside posted / barricaded hazardous / contaminated areas e.g., radiological, chemical, etc. through inspections, observations, coaching, which require walking, climbing, descending, crouching, standing, bending, twisting and turning along with wearing personnel protective equipment while carrying an assortment of small items (e.g. flashlight, procedures,

tablet or notebook, etc.).

• This position is currently located in Richland but may move to the Construction Site (22 miles north of Richland) and works a 9x80 schedule, M-F every other Friday off, 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Must be authorized to work and remain in the United States without Amentum visa sponsorship now or in the future.

• Must be able to complete and pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check which includes verification of employment and education.

• Must be able to obtain a Department of Energy badge for access to the Hanford Site. (Even if teleworking, must still be able to comply with security requirements to obtain a badge.)  

• Non-U.S. citizens from countries identified by the Department of Energy as posing heightened security concerns—including sensitive countries, state sponsors of terrorism, countries of risk, and other designated countries –are subject to additional security requirements.

Amentum is a global company with a heritage dating back more than 100 years and delivering solutions in nuclear energy, infrastructure, operations and maintenance, and national security. Our predecessors helped build Hoover Dam, protected fighting forces in World War II, and supported the Manhattan Project. Today, our teams clean up legacy nuclear waste around the world, manage the United Kingdom’s defense portfolio, design programs and tests for Navy submarine electronic systems, and provide integrated supply chain services needed in developing countries during the pandemic.

Amentum has joined with Bechtel to create an LLC, known as the Waste Treatment Completion Company (WTCC) Join us as we make history at the Hanford Vit Plant, known as the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. We are designing and building a one-of-a-kind facility that will turn radioactive and chemical waste left over from World War II and Cold War plutonium production into a form safe for disposal. Your efforts will help protect the nearby Columbia River and the communities, salmon, and wildlife along its shorelines throughout the Northwest.

Sitting at the confluence of the Columbia, Snake and Yakima rivers near two mountain ranges, our community provides access to year-round outdoor recreation, 300 days of sun a year, more than 200 wineries within a 50-mile radius, and the amenities of large cities just a three-hour drive (or short flight) to Seattle and Portland.

       

Compensation Details:

$78,227.15 - $117,732.32

       

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

 

Benefits Overview:

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off and holidays

• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)

• Educational reimbursement

• Parental leave

• Employee stock purchase plan

• Tax-saving options

• Disability and life insurance

• Pet insurance

 

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

       

Original Posting:

09/09/2026 - 09/23/2026

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

       

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed,  marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.