Mechanical Design Engineer (R&D Engineer 2/3)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 106,400 - 215,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or High Deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) with matching

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules and time off

Job summary

Los Alamos National Security LLC is hiring a Mechanical Design Engineer for their Rapid Engineering Design & Integration team. You will contribute to developing innovative designs for future nuclear weapons systems, ensuring they are safe and manufacturable. The position requires a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, along with experience in mechanical design and familiarity with weapons systems. The salary ranges from $106,400 to $215,900, depending on qualifications. Join us in Los Alamos, NM, to support critical national security missions.

Qualifications

• Familiar with nuclear weapons development and design.
• Experience with the R&D product lifecycle.
• Strong communication skills in team settings.

Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical designs for new and modified weapons systems.
• Generate critical deliverables to meet key customer milestones.
• Participate in technical reviews and briefings.

Skills

Familiarity with nuclear weapons development and design

Experience in Mechanical Engineering Design

Experience with Creo and PDMLink

Strong written and verbal communication

Ability to produce formal fabrication drawings

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Master's Degree in Engineering

Tools

Creo

PDMLink

Job description

What You Will Do

Join the frontline of National Security as a Design Engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory!

Are you ready to make a direct impact on the future of our nation's nuclear deterrent? At Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), we are searching for a passionate and driven Mechanical Design Engineer to join our Rapid Engineering Design & Integration (REDI) team within the Advanced System Development Group (Q-18). This is not just a job; it's a mission of critical national importance.

In Q-18, we responsively address emerging national security challenges through simultaneous technical and programmatic excellence and innovation in the development of future weapons systems with our laboratory and national defense partners. Focusing on effective design, development, and peer review of future weapons systems with an emphasis on improved performance, safety, and agility in support of our nation's foremost defense missions.

We are seeking qualified and enthusiastic individuals to work in Q-18's Rapid Engineering Design & Integration (REDI) team. The REDI team is responsible for developing initial engineering designs for new and modified weapons systems in support of urgent warfighter requirements. You will be part of an agile and responsive team that blazes the trail for the next generation of nuclear weapons. You will be responsible for developing mechanical designs and facilitating fabrication in support of the group's national defense mission and you will ensure that designs are manufacturable and able to withstand the complex deployed weapon environments.

In this role, you will:

• Join a mechanical design team developing cutting‑edge weapon designs that meet the performance, safety, and agility requirements of our nation's future nuclear weapons systems.
• Apply mechanical design expertise, and best practices to both new weapon systems and the modification of existing programs.
• Generate and release critical deliverables to meet key customer milestones, ensuring our projects align with national security needs.
• Play a role in technical reviews, briefing management and stakeholders on project progress and innovations.

What You Need

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

Technical Expertise:

• Familiarity with nuclear weapons development and design.
• Experience with at least some of the R&D product lifecycle, from requirements generation, validation and verification, prototyping and testing.
• Experience in Mechanical Engineering Design including hand calculations and engineering analysis.
• Experience with Creo and PDMLink with demonstrated experience designing complex assemblies.
• An understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), materials, and precision mechanical design.
• Ability to produce formal fabrication drawings that follow industry standards.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and design‑for‑manufacturing (DFM) principles.

Communication and Teamwork:

• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Experience working effectively both independently and in a team.

R&D Engineer 3 ($128,000 - $215,900)

In addition to the outlined responsibilities at the R&D Engineer 2 level, the minimum requirements at the R&D Engineer 3 level include:

Technical Expertise:

• Experience in nuclear weapons development and design.
• Experience with the full R&D product lifecycle, from requirements generation, validation and verification, prototyping and testing.
• Expertise in Mechanical Engineering Design including hand calculations and engineering analysis.
• Expertise with Creo and PDMLink with demonstrated experience designing complex assemblies.
• Ability to perform drawing checks and verification of the work from other designers in accordance with drafting standards.
• Experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), materials, and precision mechanical design.
• Ability to produce formal fabrication drawings that follow industry standards.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and design‑for‑manufacturing (DFM) principles.

Communication and Teamwork:

• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Experience working effectively both independently and in a team.

Safety and Security: Safety and security are primary responsibilities for all Laboratory employees. Maintains required safety and security training and assures compliance; makes safety and security an integral part of every task. Takes steps to stop work if unsafe conditions exist or security is compromised.

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.

Desired Qualifications:

• Active DOE Q clearance.
• Experience with Systems Engineering.
• Advanced Understanding of ASME, ANSI, AWS and related industry standards for addressing fit, form, and function.
• Experience interfacing with machine shop personnel, or hands‑on knowledge of machining processes and assembly.
• Experience interfacing with Department of War industry partners.

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 the same 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).

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 requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. 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 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, and 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, which may or may not be available to dual citizens.

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