Beam Diagnostics Engineer

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 96,600 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or High Deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) plan with 6% matching

Flexible schedules and time off

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking an R&D Engineer to support diagnostics for the LANSCE accelerator. This role involves design, modeling, implementation, and testing of electrical circuits and instrumentation.

Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, with 2-4 years of relevant experience. Responsibilities include support of system integration, documentation preparation, and collaboration on testing and commissioning activities. The position offers various benefits including medical, dental, and a 401(k) plan.

Qualifications

• Fundamental knowledge of analog and digital electronics, signal processing, and circuit analysis.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills necessary.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary technical environment.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Support system integration efforts and prepare technical documentation.
• Participate in design reviews and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Oversee installation, testing, and commissioning activities.

Skills

Analog and digital electronics knowledge

Analytical and troubleshooting skills

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Communication and problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

EPICS

LabVIEW

DSP

FPGA-based systems

Job description

Overview

The Instrumentation and Controls Group (AOT‑IC) within the Accelerator Operations and Technology (AOT) Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking an R&D Engineer to support diagnostics for the LANSCE accelerator. The position may be filled at the R&D Engineer 1 or 2 level, depending on the candidate’s qualifications. Responsibilities will include design, modeling, implementation, verification and testing of electrical circuits or FPGAs, modification and upgrade of existing beam diagnostic instrumentation, evaluation of legacy control systems, and contribution to updated architectures.

Responsibilities

Support system integration efforts, prepare technical documentation, participate in design reviews, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, and help oversee installation, testing and commissioning activities. The successful candidate must communicate effectively and work independently with minimal supervision.

R&D Engineer 1 ($96,600 - $158,000)

Design, prototype, test, install, maintain and troubleshoot beam diagnostic instrumentation systems. Document system schematics and procedures and follow established safety and security requirements.

R&D Engineer 2 ($106,400 - $176,000)

In addition to level‑1 responsibilities, independently apply systems engineering principles through the project lifecycle and lead development of projects from conceptual design to closeout. Expand capabilities, contribute to continuous improvement and modernization of diagnostics, and collaborate with accelerator physicists and operations engineers.

What You Need – Minimum Job Requirements

• Fundamental knowledge of analog and digital electronics, signal processing and circuit analysis
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary technical environment
• Strong communication and problem‑solving skills

Additional Requirements for R&D Engineer 2

• Demonstrated knowledge of high‑speed data acquisition and real‑time systems
• Experience developing, testing or supporting instrumentation, controls or experimental systems
• Experience with advanced design and analysis tools such as schematic capture, analog or digital simulation and signal‑integrity analysis tools
• Ability to independently execute technical tasks and contribute to engineering projects

Education / Experience

R&D Engineer 1: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution related to the occupation plus 2 years of related experience, or equivalent education and technical experience.

R&D Engineer 2: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution plus 4 years of related experience, or equivalent education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with EPICS, LabVIEW, DSP, FPGA‑based systems or embedded electronics
• Experience with accelerator instrumentation, diagnostics or similar large‑scale scientific systems
• Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal generators and network analyzers

Equal Opportunity Statement

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, veteran status or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is committed to making the workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

Security Clearance Requirement

Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre‑employment background checks.

New‑Employment Drug Test

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test. The Laboratory maintains a substance‑abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Information regarding drug testing remains confidential.

Location

Onsite, Los Alamos, NM. The work location is at the discretion of management.

Benefits

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with a large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• 401(k) plan with 6% matching plus 3.5% annual contributions
• 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

Foreign Nationals Restrictions

Citizens of the People's Republic of China—including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau—as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation, who are not lawful permanent residents, are prohibited from accessing facilities that support national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, including Los Alamos National Laboratory.