Design Engineering Scientist (Scientist 2)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) matching

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules

Onsite gyms

Relocation packages

Job summary

Los Alamos National Security LLC seeks a candidate for a role in their Radioisotope Power Systems Design Engineering team in Los Alamos, NM. The role focuses on ceramic engineering and requires collaboration with engineers and scientists to support plutonium programs.

A Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and 4 years of relevant experience are required. The position offers significant opportunities to influence radioisotope power systems design and improve manufacturing processes.

Qualifications

• Training and experience in ceramic engineering or fabrication.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data effectively.
• Proficient in documenting technical results.

Responsibilities

• Optimize ceramic solid formation and analyze powder characteristics.
• Work with radioactive materials ensuring safety.
• Apply engineering principles to improve processes.

Skills

Ceramic engineering

Data analysis

Communication

Teamwork

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field

Tools

Scientific principles

Technical documentation tools

Job description

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

Join the Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) Design Engineering team, a hub for expertise in radioisotope power system design, where you will contribute to advancing the nation's capabilities in actinide chemistry, materials science of ceramics, high-temperature metallurgy, composite engineering, thermal and structural analysis, re‑entry and impact modeling, systems engineering, and safety analysis.

The RPS Design Engineering Team is a part of the Product Realization and Reliability Office (PRRO) in Nuclear Production Operations. The PRRO consists of a multidisciplinary group of engineers and scientists that support plutonium programs (i.e., pit production, surveillance, research & development, and sub‑critical experiments) across the entire Nuclear Production Operations organization.

As a member of our RPS Design Engineering Team, you’ll work alongside a talented group of engineers and scientists supporting plutonium programs across the organization. You’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in radioisotope power system design and contribute to the nation’s technical expertise.

Responsibilities

• Optimization of the formation of ceramic solids by hot‑pressing and characterization of these ceramic solids. Measure and analyze powder characteristics affecting coherence of hot‑pressed solids, including particle size distribution, surface area, and surface energy, and relate these characteristics to the properties of the ceramic solid.
• Working with radioactive materials or hazardous materials.
• Applying scientific or engineering principles, practices, and tools to continuously improve manufacturing processes.
• Contributing to the successful completion of technical projects by assisting in the analysis, validation, implementation, and verification of practical solutions, and applying novel problem‑solving methods to solve engineering problems.
• Assisting in the writing of technical documents and presenting technical work at internal and external meetings, seminars, and conferences.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Training and experience in ceramic engineering or ceramic fabrication, as demonstrated by research, analysis, and publications in the field.
• Analytical thinking skills, including demonstrated experience in the analysis, manipulation, and interpretation of data.
• Demonstrated ability to document technical results in a formal method/format.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

Education / Experience

Position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field from an accredited institution and 4 years of related experience, typically with post‑doctoral research experience at a university or national lab or equivalent experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in designing and executing experiments to evaluate the performance of hot‑pressing of actinide oxide solids and to improve the quality of manufacturing processes.
• Experience with gas management in nuclear fuels.
• Experience with modeling of density gradients and thermal loading in ceramic solids, in particular nuclear fuels.
• Post‑doctoral degree in a STEM field.

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. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Legal Eligibility Restrictions

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China—including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau—along with citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation, who are not lawful permanent residents (“green‑card” holders), are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national‑security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security.

Benefits

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

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 – Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating the employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. This requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance

Clearance: Q (position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance; obtaining such clearance requires U.S. citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required and may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

New‑Employment Drug Test

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new‑employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre‑offer.

Regular Position

Term status: Laboratory employees applying for regular‑status positions are converted to regular status.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call 1‑505‑665‑4444 option 1.