Instrumentation and Controls Hardware R&D Engineer (R&D Engineer 1/2)

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

Job summary

The Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking an R&D Engineer (1 or 2 level) to support the LANSCE Facility by integrating control systems and enhancing performance. Responsibilities include designing and upgrading control systems as part of the LANSCE Modernization Project and ensuring operational reliability.

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Engineering and have relevant experience in control systems development. The position is onsite in Los Alamos, NM and may involve 24-hour on-call support.

Qualifications

• Experience in control system development and operations support.
• Ability to create, interpret, and troubleshoot electronic systems.
• Willingness to provide 24-hour on-call support.

Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, install, test, and maintain control systems.
• Lead systems engineering projects through the lifecycle.
• Support system integration and prepare technical documentation.

Skills

Control system development

Automation system design

Data acquisition

Electronics

Programming PLCs

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

RSLogix/Studio 5000

FactoryTalk View Studio

LabVIEW

Job description

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 1 or 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job requirements outlined below will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

The Accelerator Operations and Technology (AOT) Division provides leadership in the Laboratory's core capability of accelerators and electrodynamics. This includes operating the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) proton accelerator complex and conducting applied research in accelerator-focused technologies. As a member of the Controls and Timing Team within the Instrumentation and Controls Group (AOT‑IC), the successful applicant will support the operation of the LANSCE Facility. Core responsibilities include control system integration, instrumentation engineering, PCB design, ECAD/MCAD, and network and timing signal distribution. The position also involves planning, designing, and implementing control system upgrades as part of the LANSCE Modernization Project, evaluating legacy systems, and contributing to updated architectures that enhance reliability, maintainability, and performance. Additional duties may include supporting system integration efforts, preparing technical documentation, participating in design reviews, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, and helping oversee installation, testing, and commissioning activities.

R&D Engineer 1

At this level, you will design, prototype, install, test, and maintain new LANSCE control and timing systems, as well as modify, upgrade, and support existing systems. You will expand the group’s capabilities, such as developing test stands for production I&C systems and interfacing with other AOT organizations and external customers for small non‑LANSCE control systems.

R&D Engineer 2

In addition to the responsibilities above, the R&D Engineer 2 level offers the opportunity to take on a more senior role. You will independently apply systems engineering principles throughout the project lifecycle and lead the development of projects from conceptual design to closeout.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Ability to assist with planning and successful completion of multiple projects with conflicting and often changing priorities and deadlines.
• Record of academic achievement (provide examples) and/or technical accomplishments (provide examples) in control system development, automation system design, data acquisition, electronics, and operations support.
• Basic understanding of electrical schematics – ability to create, interpret, and troubleshoot electronics systems to the component level.
• Willingness to assume 24‑hour, on‑call support of AOT‑IC accelerator hardware on a rotating basis.
• Proactive approach to safe work practices and ability to manage work safely with demanding customers and hard deadlines.
• Experience with programming and maintaining programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and HMI screens.
• Commitment to a harassment‑free work environment.

Additional Job Requirements for Higher Level Title

• Strong record of technical accomplishments (provide examples) and at least 3‑5 years of experience in the technical focus areas of the team.
• Demonstrated operations and maintenance experience at an accelerator or similar large scientific facility.
• Background in system design, including electrical modeling of analog or digital signals (e.g., PSpice).

Education / Experience at Lower Level

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution related to the occupation plus at least 2 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and technical experience directly related to the occupation.

Education / Experience at Higher Level

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and at least 4 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Formal training in RSLogix/Studio 5000 and/or FactoryTalk View Studio.
• Experience in FPGA and/or DSP programming.
• Experience with taking a project through the entire design lifecycle, including requirements gathering, system design, implementation, and verification.
• Experience using software to support deployment of designed systems and projects (e.g., SCPI, I2C, SPI, or LabVIEW).
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which normally requires U.S. citizenship.

Work Environment

Work location is onsite in Los Alamos, NM. This location may be at the discretion of management.

Note to Applicants

Citizens of certain countries without permanent residency status are prohibited from accessing facilities that support national‑security missions, including Los Alamos National Laboratory.

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, 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 committed to making the workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request.