Process/System Engineer (R&D Engineer 2/3)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; 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

Paid childbirth and parental leave

401(k) matching plan

Flexible schedules and time off

Onsite gyms and wellness programs

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a Process/System Engineer to develop and troubleshoot processes, enhancing the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile. You will work in a collaborative environment, supporting high-value manufacturing and ensuring compliance with engineering standards.

The role requires strong engineering discipline and the ability to adapt to evolving R&D needs while providing support for critical projects. A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering is essential, with the opportunity for ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience in one or more of the following engineering disciplines: mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, machining engineering.
• Demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing, system, and component testing operations.
• Demonstrated experience developing and validating engineering requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop, improve, and troubleshoot processes and support high‑value manufacturing.
• Maintain equipment and ensure process operability.
• Independently present specific aspects of engineering assignments at project meetings.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Manufacturing engineering

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Job description

What You Will Do

Located in northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is responsible for monitoring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile and conducting advanced research in national security and related scientific disciplines. The PT Division provides plutonium pit related products and services of superior quality and value to protect our nation and promote world stability. This position serves as Process/System Engineer, developing, improving, troubleshooting processes, and supporting high‑value manufacturing. It also maintains equipment, ensures operability of the process, and interacts with multiple organizations to ensure compliance with Conduct of Engineering, Conduct of Maintenance, Conduct of Operations, Quality, and Safety Management programs.

• Develop, improve, and troubleshoot processes and support high‑value manufacturing.
• Maintain equipment and ensure process operability.
• Interact with multiple organizations to ensure compliance with Conduct of Engineering, Conduct of Maintenance, Conduct of Operations, Quality, and Safety Management programs.
• Serve as a contributing member of the R&D and Operations teams to address engineering challenges.
• Contribute to the research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of engineering and technology solutions in support of R&D and Operations initiatives.
• Develop new methods, technologies, and analysis techniques for institutional programs.
• Ensure programmatic objectives through project management and engineering support to successfully complete milestones.
• Mentor early‑career staff, postdocs, and students.
• Independently present specific aspects of engineering assignments at project meetings.
• Adapt to evolving R&D requirements while meeting safety, security, compliance, and schedule imperatives.

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

• Serve as a contributing member of the R&D and Operations teams to address engineering challenges.
• Contribute at a fully functioning level to the research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of engineering and technology solutions in support of R&D and Operations initiatives.
• Develop new methods, technologies, and analysis techniques for institutional programs.
• Ensure programmatic objectives through the provision of project management and engineering support to successfully complete milestones.
• Mentor early career staff, postdocs, and students.
• Independently present specific aspects of engineering assignments at project meetings.
• Adapt to evolving R&D requirements while meeting safety, security, compliance, and schedule imperatives.

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

• Lead the research, design, and testing of engineering and technology solutions in support of R&D initiatives.
• Apply broad and diversified knowledge of engineering principles to implement sound engineering practices to achieve organizational objectives.
• Review Technical Procedures to ensure work is executed safely and securely and product requirements are met.

What You Need

Engineering Expertise

• Experience in one or more of the following engineering disciplines: mechanical engineering; manufacturing engineering; machining engineering or other relevant fields.
• Intermediate knowledge of professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, and procedures, as demonstrated by experience researching, designing, analyzing, testing, verifying, and validating engineering solutions.
• Demonstrated experience performing a broad range of complex engineering work, including designing or reviewing a complete project, system, or component.
• Demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing, system, and component testing operations.
• Demonstrated experience developing, codifying, and validating engineering requirements.

Analytical Skills

• Intermediate analytical thinking skills, as demonstrated by experience designing and executing experiments or tests, including analyzing and interpreting data.
• Demonstrated experience with continuous improvement concepts and tools.
• Demonstrated commitment to high quality and timeliness of deliverables.

Communication and Teamwork

• Demonstrated ability to work independently in high‑intensity environments with coworkers representing a variety of technical backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to express detailed ideas clearly in ways that build understanding, respect, and trust, as demonstrated through presentations and publications.

Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 3

• Thorough knowledge and experience in one or more of the following engineering disciplines: mechanical; materials science; chemical; metallurgical, or other R&D engineering field.
• Thorough knowledge and experience in designing, planning, and executing research and development projects.
• Thorough knowledge of professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, and procedures, as demonstrated by experience researching, designing, analyzing, testing, verifying, and validating engineering solutions.

Leadership and Management

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in implementing Laboratory or similar industry objectives and other statements of policy, practice, and/or procedure.
• Enhance technical and professional expertise of junior staff through active mentoring and training.

Project Management

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in implementing Laboratory or similar industry policies affecting research and development activities, projects, and/or initiatives.
• Influence organizational, project, and program strategies and directions. Leads technical decision‑making at task level within a project. Makes decisions and/or recommendations that influence the achievement of key programmatic objectives.

Continuous Improvement

• Leads the development of technical products such as journal papers, reports, presentations, and concept papers. Develops intellectual property and contributes to professional societies, publications copyrights, and external collaborations, and/or patents. May contribute to technology transfer.
• Contributes ideas for new proposals and business development opportunities. Leads development of technical section of small to moderate proposals.
• Attains additional certifications, qualifications, and/or recognition to grow in field.

Education and Experience (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 and Experience (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.

DOE O. 426.2

Requires a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering or related science, 2 years job‑related experience, and 1 year of nuclear experience.

Desired Qualifications

Experience In Various Work Environments

• Demonstrated experience working in glovebox environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge or experience working in a manufacturing or production organization requiring implementation of defined manufacturing, testing, and quality requirements.
• Demonstrated experience working in a nuclear facility.

Quality and Improvement

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with system and subsystem qualification testing and/or analysis.
• Demonstrated experience applying continuous improvement concepts and tools.
• Demonstrated knowledge of conduct of operations principles.
• Demonstrated experience performing engineering work using rigorous institutional processes.

Active Q clearance or equivalent

• Existing DOE Q clearance (or similar).

Benefits

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with national 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)

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, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

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 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.

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

HRP – This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 712, including ongoing drug and alcohol testing and periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

DOE Order 426.2 – Position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry‑level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.