Hydrodynamic Test Device Engineer (R&D Engineer 2/3)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with matching

Flexible schedules and time off

Onsite gyms and wellness programs

Job summary

The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is looking for an R&D Engineer to support weapon testing within the Weapons Test Execution Group. This role involves planning and overseeing different weapon tests ensuring compliance and performance through rigorous validation processes.

As part of the Physics Validation team, you will engage in hydrodynamic testing and collaborate with diverse teams to drive experiments that enhance national security. Strong engineering skills and the ability to communicate effectively across technical domains are essential for success.

Qualifications

• 4 years of related experience or equivalent education.
• Experience with hydrodynamic or relevant testing.

Responsibilities

• Plan project scope and coordinate test design.
• Execute pre-test and post-test activities.
• Generate project reports and analysis.

Skills

Problem-solving complex issues

Communication skills

Basic engineering principles

Program management skills

Mentorship capability

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Master's Degree in Engineering

Job description

Overview

The Weapons Verification and Validation Division (V-Division) ensures that weapon designs meet all requirements and perform as intended. The division verifies design compliance and validates performance through a combination of investigations, qualification tests, and evaluations. This mission is accomplished through close communication and collaboration with sister divisions within the Weapons Engineering Directorate (ALDW). V-Division carries out its work through assembly, non-destructive evaluation, test design and planning, and test execution, all aimed at confirming the reliability and effectiveness of weapon systems.

The Weapons Test Execution Group (V-21) is responsible for planning and overseeing the execution of weapon tests. V-21 supports experimental evaluations across multiple domains, including mechanical, thermal, hydrodynamic, and subcritical testing. The group leverages capabilities across the national security enterprise, integrating diverse experimental expertise to design, field, and execute large-scale joint tests in partnership with weapon development organizations. As ALDW's center of excellence for complex weapon experimentation, V-21 plays a critical role in advancing the sustainment and modernization of the U.S. nuclear deterrent, ensuring that each experiment delivers the data and insight necessary to maintain a safe, secure, and effective stockpile.

This position is part of the Physics Validation (PV) team within V-21, which supports a range of Integrated Weapon Experiments, including weapon hydrodynamic tests and subcritical experiments. This specific job posting focuses on the hydrodynamic testing portion of our work. In hydrotesting, the PV team provides device engineers and the Lead Test Engineer, who together form one part of a three-person leadership team for each weapon hydrotest. The leadership team consists of the Lead Test Engineer, Lead Physicist, and Lead Experimenter. The Lead Test Engineer follows a Systems Engineering Lifecycle to design, develop, and deliver the experimental device for each test. This role involves extensive collaboration with more than a dozen groups across the laboratory, requiring individuals who can work effectively with team members from diverse technical backgrounds and experience levels to achieve the common goals of the experiment. Because these tests involve many stakeholders, success in this position depends on the ability to communicate clearly, understand differing objectives, and balance competing priorities. The role offers a unique opportunity to learn about various weapon systems and future concepts, while building hands-on experience in prototyping, design, and experimental execution. Our work spans many scientific and engineering disciplines, and success requires working closely with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to expand technical knowledge and develop expertise in relevant areas. The position also provides strong leadership opportunities, as the Lead Test Engineer heads the experiment team and serves as the primary point of contact among all participating organizations.

As an R&D Engineer on our team, you'll take ideas from concept to reality—designing, building, and testing functional prototype hardware assemblies that directly support our national security mission. You'll tackle a wide variety of mechanical and systems engineering challenges, from defining and managing requirements to performing concept modeling, component design, system integration, and full-scale testing and validation. Every project offers the opportunity to apply creativity and technical expertise to solve complex problems. In addition to hands-on engineering, you'll contribute to the success of our programs by preparing and presenting technical reports, planning documents, and briefings for both internal and external stakeholders. You'll also engage directly with senior laboratory management and external partners on high-visibility projects that shape the future of our mission. This role is ideal for engineers who are collaborative, curious, and driven to learn. You'll have the chance to mentor junior staff, grow your leadership skills, and make a direct impact in advancing cutting-edge national security research.

Responsibilities

• R&D Engineer 2: Plan project scope; coordinate test design; coordinate part procurement & fabrication; coordinate assembly process; execute pre-test and post-test activities; generate project reports & analysis; complete professional development & administrative tasks; at this level more direction and mentorship will be provided from senior staff.
• R&D Engineer 3: Provide leadership support to the team; provide extensive expertise to the team & stakeholders; demonstrate capability of self-starting on tasks with less direction; mentor team members; represent the team to higher level stakeholders.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Basic knowledge of professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, and procedures; demonstrated through experience researching, designing, testing, analyzing, verifying, and validating engineering solutions.
• Good communication skills with individuals with varying expertise and backgrounds through proactive engagements
• Program management (PM) skillset, with the ability to track schedule, cost, and status throughout lifecycle
• Capable of problem solving complex and technical issues
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and sustain activities to meet deliverables
• Ability to plan and lead meetings to achieve intended goals and track any resulting action items
• Capable of appropriately handling classified matter and following security and safety policy and procedures

Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 3

• Demonstrated mentorship and leadership experience
• Ability to mentor and develop other team members
• Provide subject matter expertise in hydrodynamic or other relevant testing for stakeholders and other experiment team members

Education/Experience

Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 6 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.

Desired Qualifications

• Active DOE Q clearance
• Formal systems engineering training, certification, or education (e.g. INCOSE ASEP) (Level 3 specific)
• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with nuclear weapon design, development, qualification, certification, assembly/production, or surveillance
• Experience working with the LANL Weapons Engineering and Weapons Physics organizations
• Knowledge of nuclear weapons, NNSA facilities, or DoD customers that support the U.S. stockpile
• Program management-status track while collaborating with other teams (budgeting, scheduling, and scoping)
• Leading formal reviews such as design reviews
• Experience with tooling design
• Formal model-based system engineering (MBSE) training or certification (e.g. OCSMP, Cameo)
• Experience with requirements development and maintenance
• Knowledge of or experience with hydrodynamic testing
• Experience with ASME Y14.5 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance
• Knowledge of or experience with design for manufacturing principles
• Experience with performing safety structural analysis
• Experience working with or around high explosives

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.

Work Schedule

9/80 with either A or B Friday off, 5/40 is ok with management agreement. 4/10 is not allowed.

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 one year.

Note to Applicants

• Along with your resume, submit a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet the minimum requirements and any of the applicable desired requirements.
• 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—as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (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 northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our 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, 401(k) with matching, Learning opportunities and tuition assistance, Flexible schedules and time off, Onsite gyms and wellness programs, and Relocation packages.

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. This applies to U.S. citizens; foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance.

• 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 testing. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment.

Equal Opportunity: LANL is an equal opportunity employer. Employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories. The Lab is committed to accessibility and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request. To request an accommodation, contact [e-mail] or call [phone].