Electrical Engineer 1 (R&D Engineer 1)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 96,400 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or High Deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) matching

Job summary

Los Alamos National Security LLC is seeking an Engineer for their Accelerator Operations Group at LANSCE in Los Alamos, NM. The role involves designing and maintaining safety-critical interlock and protection systems for high-energy accelerators. Candidates should have strong skills in analog and digital circuit design, troubleshooting, and programming embedded systems. A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and the ability to obtain a Q clearance are required. Benefits include comprehensive health insurance and 401(k) matching.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of related technical experience.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance.
• Experience in designing relay-based interlock systems.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and support critical personnel and equipment protection systems.
• Design, test, implement, and document new protective systems.
• Troubleshoot and develop digital, analog, and mixed-signal electronics.

Skills

Analog and digital electronic circuit design

Troubleshooting complex systems

Reading and interpreting schematics

Programming in embedded C, Verilog/VHDL

Low-level FPGA and microcontroller development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Mentor Graphics

Altium Designer

Job description

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

The Accelerator Operations and Technology Division is seeking an Engineer to join the Accelerator Operations Group at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), a premier high‑energy accelerator facility supporting national security, scientific research, and isotope production.

The selected candidate will join the Protective Systems Team and play a key role in the design, implementation, and sustainment of safety‑critical interlock and protection systems that safeguard personnel and accelerator equipment. This position involves developing and supporting PLC‑based controls, analog and digital circuitry, and FPGA‑based systems to ensure robust, fail‑safe operation in a high‑reliability environment.

This is a hands‑on engineering role that spans the full system lifecycle, including hardware design, in‑house repair and upgrades, system integration, and operational support. Responsibilities include troubleshooting complex systems using diagnostic tools such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers, supporting field installation and commissioning, and maintaining high system availability.

The position also contributes directly to next‑generation protective systems associated with the LANSCE Accelerator Modernization Project (LAMP). This work requires close collaboration across engineering, operations, and safety organizations to ensure designs meet functional and safety requirements, integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure, and are delivered on schedule.

Working within a multidisciplinary team, the candidate will help develop and deploy robust, high‑performance protection systems that enable safe and continuous accelerator operations in a mission‑critical environment.

R&D Engineer 1 ($96,400 - $158,000)

As part of this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Maintain and support critical personnel and equipment protection systems at the LANSCE Accelerator Facility.
• Design, test, implement, and document new and upgraded protective systems, including schematics and drawings.
• Troubleshoot and develop digital, analog, and mixed‑signal electronics, including PLCs, FPGAs, microcontrollers, and PCB design.
• Complete formal training and participate in an on‑call rotation, including occasional nights and weekends.
• Collaborate with cross‑disciplinary teams and support system installations, including outdoor work, ladder use, and entry into controlled radiation areas when needed.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Proven experience in designing both analog and digital electronic circuits.
• Skilled in troubleshooting complex systems using tools such as oscilloscopes, DVMs, and function generators.
• Proficient in reading and interpreting schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical drawings.
• Knowledge of multiple programming languages, including embedded C, Verilog/VHDL, and ladder logic.
• Familiar with low‑level FPGA and microcontroller development.
• Experienced with CAD/ECAD software such as AutoCAD, Mentor Graphics, or Altium Designer.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance (U.S. citizenship typically required).

Education / Experience

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an accredited institution plus 2 years of related technical experience, or an equivalent combination of education and technical experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Strong PLC background, including Allen‑Bradley networks, ladder logic, and PanelView configuration.
• Experience designing relay‑based interlock systems.
• Proficient in PCB layout, sourcing, fabrication, and troubleshooting.
• Skilled in translating designs into technical drawings and documentation.
• Full lifecycle experience with electronic devices, from requirements and prototyping to installation, testing, and documentation.

Essential Job Functions

Vision and motor skills. Ability to climb ladders and stairs.

Work Location

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM.

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.

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 a 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

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 matters. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires U.S. citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances.

Eligibility Requirements

To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances.

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.

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 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, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local 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.

Contact for accommodations

To request such an accommodation, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.