Mechanical Design Engineer - Space Hardware (R&D Engineer 1/2)

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

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or High Deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Free basic life and disability insurance

Paid childbirth and parental leave

401(k) with employer matching

Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

Flexible schedules and time off

Onsite gyms and wellness programs

Relocation packages

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to support the design and integration of custom space-based instruments. The role entails collaboration with various engineers to develop flight-ready systems, impacting national security and scientific missions.

The ideal candidate should possess a Bachelor's Degree in engineering, experience in CAD software like Creo or SOLIDWORKS, and the ability to handle multidisciplinary tasks. Benefits include comprehensive insurance and 401(k) plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited institution.
• 2 years of related experience for lower level; 4 years for higher level.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical hardware and generate CAD models.
• Support hardware fabrication and assembly.
• Perform static and dynamic analyses using finite element analysis.
• Conduct design trades and risk reduction activities.
• Support environmental testing including vibration and thermal vacuum.
• Prepare clear technical reports and presentations.
• Contribute to mechanical design and analysis tools.
• Execute engineering decisions throughout hardware development.

Skills

Experience developing designs in Creo

Experience with drafting/engineering drawings

Knowledge of mechanical and thermal environments

Proficiency in engineering fundamentals

Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Commitment to safety, security, quality

Ability to obtain clearances

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

Creo

SOLIDWORKS

Job description

Overview

What You Will Do Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a mechanical design engineer to join the Space Instrument Realization Group (ISR-5). You will support the design, analysis, assembly, testing, and integration of custom space-based instrumentation for national security and fundamental science applications.

ISR-5 develops and deploys advanced measurement systems from concept through mission execution. You will work closely with other mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, scientists, technicians, analysts, and test personnel to develop robust, flight-ready systems for national security and scientific missions. This position offers the opportunity to work on mission-driven space hardware from early concept development through design, analysis, environmental test, and deployment.

The Intelligence and Space Research Division at LANL has more than 60 years of experience designing, building, and operating ground-, air-, and space-based systems supporting nuclear nonproliferation, treaty verification, remote sensing, space situational awareness, and NASA missions including Curiosity, Perseverance, IBEX, Van Allen Probes, and IMAP. This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 1 or R&D Engineer 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical hardware and generate CAD models and drawings
• Support fabrication and assembly of hardware
• Perform static, dynamic, and thermal analyses using finite element analysis, hand calculations, and other analytical methods to inform designs
• Conduct design trades, risk reduction activities, and apply engineering decisions throughout hardware development
• Support environmental testing, including vibration, shock, thermal cycling, and thermal vacuum testing
• Prepare clear technical reports, presentations, and review materials for internal and external stakeholders
• Contribute to ISR-5 mechanical design and analysis tools, methods, and best practices

Qualifications

Minimum Job Requirements

• Experience developing designs in Creo, SOLIDWORKS, or similar CAD tools
• Experience with drafting/engineering drawings including knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing standards
• Knowledge of mechanical and thermal environments relevant to flight hardware, such as launch loads, vibration, shock, thermal cycling, thermal vacuum, or operational thermal environments
• Proficiency in engineering fundamentals related to space-based hardware
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment, including interfacing with other engineers, scientists, technicians, project/program staff, and other stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including documenting analysis assumptions, methods, results, margins, risks, and recommendations
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, security, quality, peer review, and responsible engineering practices
• Ability to obtain clearances as required for project work

Education/Experience at lower level
Bachelor’s Degree in engineering from an accredited institution and 2 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at higher level
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.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting the design, analysis, qualification, launch, or operation of spaceflight, aerospace, defense, or high-reliability hardware
• Experience working with concepts and practices of GD&T
• Experience with launch environments, including quasi-static loads, random vibration, shock, acoustics, modal analysis, or coupled loads
• Experience with space thermal environments, including thermal vacuum, thermal cycling, orbital heating, radiation, or electronics heating
• Experience with ASME, NASA, DoD, or aerospace standards such as ASME Y14.5, NASA-STD-5001/5002, NASA-STD-5020, GSFC-STD-7000, MIL-STD-1540, MIL-STD-810, ECSS, MMPDS, or related program-specific requirements

Work Environment and Clearance

• Work Location: Onsite in Los Alamos, NM
• Clearance: Q clearance; background investigation required. Eligibility as described by DOE/DoD regulations; U.S. citizenship required in general, with similar requirements for access to restricted information

Other Requirements

• New-Employment Drug Test: All new hires must pass a drug test
• Equal Opportunity: LANL is an equal opportunity employer; includes accommodations for qualified applicants with disabilities

Benefits

• 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) with employer matching
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Relocation packages

Note: Equal opportunity statement and contact information included by LANL; instructions for accommodations are provided where applicable.