Optical Engineer (R&D Engineer 2)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks a mid-level R&D Engineer with a background in photonics and optical sciences to design, test, and field optical diagnostic systems for flight-test vehicles. You will work with engineers, technologists, and technicians on laser and fiber-optic systems, experimental fielding, and data acquisition, in a safety‑critical environment.

The role involves requirements development, verification, and integration across disciplines, with opportunities to gain experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering; 4 years related experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience in optical design, testing, and requirements development.
• Familiarity with safety practices for lasers and optical equipment.

Responsibilities

• Develop, design, test, and verify optical diagnostic systems for flight-test vehicles.
• Coordinate requirements development and verification across mechanical, electrical, and data acquisition interfaces.
• Plan and execute experiments; analyze data and quantify measurement uncertainty.
• Integrate optical components into complete diagnostic systems and ensure qualification.

Skills

Optical engineering

Photonic systems

Experiment design

Programming: Python/MATLAB

Reading schematics

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

Zemax OpticStudio

CODE V

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Job description

What You Will Do

Q-6, the Detonation Science and Technology Group, is seeking a mid-level R&D Engineer with a background in Photonics and Optical Sciences. You will work closely with engineers, technologists, and technicians on optical diagnostic design, laser and fiber‑optic systems, experiment fielding, and testing in support of various projects. You will work in environments with significant safety consequences involving chemicals, high explosives, high‑power lasers, high voltage, and high‑energy devices.

The successful candidate will work within the Future Systems Innovation and Development team supporting a multitude of projects including advanced diagnostics on the JTA Product Realization Team and Optical Initiation. You will be responsible for the development, design, testing, requirements development, component verification, and qualification of optical diagnostic systems for flight test vehicles. You will gain experience in small‑and large‑scale experiment design and fielding, the Phase X process, requirements development, verification methodologies, and integration of optical systems with mechanical, electrical, and data acquisition interfaces.

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Engineering Knowledge

Demonstrated knowledge of optical engineering, photonics, applied physics, or a related engineering or scientific discipline. Knowledge of geometrical and physical optics, including optical propagation, diffraction, polarization, and laser and fiber‑optic fundamentals. Experience designing, modeling, assembling, aligning, or testing optical systems. Ability to read and interpret optical layouts, component specifications, and engineering drawings. Experience developing, interpreting, and verifying technical requirements. Experience planning and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and evaluating measurement uncertainty. Familiarity with optical modeling tools such as Zemax OpticStudio, CODE V, or equivalent software. Experience with Python, MATLAB, or another programming language for analysis or test automation. Knowledge of scientific methods, relevant engineering practices, and safe laboratory work with lasers and optical equipment.

Communication and Teamwork

Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively with internal and external peers, customers, and stakeholders. Ability to document designs and test results, communicate technical findings, and collaborate across optical, mechanical, and electrical disciplines. Ability to accomplish work with limited direction and determine appropriate methods and procedures for assigned tasks.

Education/Experience:

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.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with quality assurance standards such as NQA-1, NAP-401.A, or applicable DOE quality assurance requirements.


• Knowledge of the NNSA Phase X process and Defense Programs Business Process System (DPBPS) requirements.


• Experience developing optical performance requirements and integrating optical components into complete diagnostic systems.


• Experience with optical diagnostics for fast transient phenomena, including photodetectors, signal timing, and data acquisition interfaces.


• Experience designing experiments to characterize optical components and systems, interpreting results, and quantifying measurement uncertainty.


• Proficiency with optical design and analysis software, including ray tracing, tolerancing, stray‑light analysis, or physical optics propagation.


• Experience with optical alignment, beam characterization, fiber coupling, optical metrology, and optomechanical interfaces.


• Experience using Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or LabVIEW for instrument control, test automation, modeling, or data analysis.


• Experience planning and executing verification and qualification tests, including evaluation of optical performance under thermal, shock, and vibration environments.


• Demonstrated experience working in a secure environment or handling sensitive or classified information.


• Active Q clearance, which normally requires U.S. citizenship.

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):

• Ability to speak


• Reading vision

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.

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.

Note to Applicants:

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 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. Please note that 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 US 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. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*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. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

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.