Analog Space Instrument Electrical Engineer (R&D Engineer 3)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or High Deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) with matching

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules

Onsite gyms and wellness programs

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a passionate Analog Space Instrument Design Engineer. You will lead the design and development of innovative measurement systems for national security and NASA missions, focusing on analog electronics.

The ideal candidate should have a master’s degree in engineering, advanced experience in analog design, and strong communication skills. Join us to work in a dynamic R&D environment that prioritizes creativity and innovation.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated advanced experience in analog electronic design for instrumentation.
• Ability to lead and execute technical work independently and in a team.
• Strong organizational skills and capability to evaluate design tradeoffs.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate across disciplines to define instrument requirements.
• Lead design, modeling, fabrication, and testing of spaceflight hardware.
• Serve as a technical leader within the team.

Skills

Analog electronic design

Low-noise design principles

Circuit modeling and simulation

High-resolution data conversion

Strong communication skills

Education

Master's degree in engineering

Job description

Overview

What You Will Do
Come join our passionate team of R&D engineers and scientists supporting national security! The Space Electronics and Signal Processing (ISR-4) Group is seeking R&D Electrical Engineers to assist and lead the design and development of high-quality, innovative measurement systems followed by their deployment to space for national security applications and NASA missions. This job is the essence of "Cradle to Grave" engineering; once designed, built, and tested, you will often provide subject matter expertise for payload delivery, launch, and operations over the life of the mission whether in earth orbit for 10+ years, Mars, or deep space. ISR Division designs, builds, delivers, and exploits innovative ground- and space-based measurement systems and provides unique analysis and interpretation of data from these systems. We succeed through our cohesive, interdisciplinary teams of engineers, technicians, and scientists working within a highly creative and dynamic R&D environment. Our projects range from cutting edge scientific explorations expanding our knowledge of the universe, to ensuring national and global security. ISR\'s 400+ instruments fly on over 200 satellites, including numerous NASA missions like Voyager and the last two Mars Rovers. For more information go to lanl.gov/space.

If you possess self-initiative and enjoy working in a small team environment of rapid prototype, high quality, low volume, electrical assemblies this is the job for you. ISR-4 is looking for a few highly motivated mid-career electrical engineers to assist in the development of custom instrumentation for various space-based detection systems. These systems can include:

• Satellite-based detectors for space monitoring programs in support of nonproliferation and nuclear event detection missions;
• Payloads for planetary science missions;
• and Smallsat and Cubesat Systems.

Responsibilities

As an Analog Space Instrument Design Engineer (R&D Engineer 3), you will collaborate across science and engineering disciplines to define instrument requirements and lead the design, modeling, fabrication, and testing of spaceflight hardware, with a primary focus on analog electronics. You are a recognized technical contributor with advanced expertise, capable of independently driving complex designs and ensuring performance in demanding space environments. You will serve as a technical leader within ISR, providing in-depth evaluation of design tradeoffs and guiding key engineering decisions. You apply advanced electrical engineering methodologies with a strong commitment to safety, security, and quality. You also contribute to team growth through mentorship, collaboration, and clear technical communication, while continuing to expand your own expertise and impact.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Engineering Expertise
  • Demonstrated advanced experience in analog electronic design for instrumentation or similar high-performance systems, including:
  • Low-noise design principles and precision signal conditioning
  • Design and analysis of analog front-end circuits for high sensitivity detectors
  • High-speed and/or high-resolution data conversion (ADC/DAC integration)
  • Circuit modeling, simulation, and validation across environmental conditions
  • Power integrity and grounding strategies in mixed-signal systems
• Communication and Teaming
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and execute technical work both independently and in a multidisciplinary team environment with engineers, scientists, and technicians. Applies advanced expertise in one or more areas of engineering to guide the research, design, verification, and validation of electrical engineering solutions.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts, support sound decision-making, and collaborate effectively across disciplines. Proven capability to understand the broader system context and integrate electrical design decisions with inputs from other subject matter experts.
  • Recognized for strong organizational skills, sound technical judgment, and the ability to evaluate design tradeoffs at the task and subsystem level. Demonstrates initiative in influencing project execution and contributing to team or organizational direction, including mentoring and supporting the development of early-career staff.
• Security Clearance: Ability and desire to obtain Q clearance, which generally requires U.S. citizenship.

Education/Experience

Position requires a master\'s degree in engineering and 6 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

Experience in one or more of the following areas is desired but not required:

• Analog Electronics: sensor interfaces, signal shaping and filtering, low noise amplifiers, precision timing circuitry
• Detectors: fast scintillators, solid state, for use on X-ray, neutron, gamma, plasma, energetic particle instruments
• Mixed-Signal Systems: Cross-domain optimization of analog, digital, and power subsystems for overall instrument performance
• Power Electronics: Design and analysis of linear regulators and DC/DC converters, switching topologies, filtering, and control
• Knowledge of configuration management tools and processes
• Experience with space-flight hardware development and formal verification methods desirable
• Experience debugging & troubleshooting circuits/prototypes
• Experience or knowledge of best practices for maintaining signal integrity in mixed analog/digital designs from circuit design to PCB layout
• Active security clearance

Note to Applicants

In addition to providing a resume, applicants should also include a cover letter detailing their experience as applied to the job requirements.

Work Environment and Location

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Legal and Security Notice

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of certain countries are prohibited from accessing facilities that support national security laboratories. Please review the full policy in the original posting.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Clearance and Drug Testing

Clearance: Q. This position will be cleared to Q level. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories, and the Laboratory is committed to accessibility and reasonable accommodations during the application process.