Quality Engineer (R&D Engineer 1/2)

NCSL International; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 96,600 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks a Quality Engineer for R&D Engineering 1/2 to ensure QA results, materials, processes and final products meet quality requirements. This onsite role in Los Alamos, NM, will apply QA/QC principles based on risk and follow established laboratory policies.

The candidate will support measurement method development, process control, and safety compliance, with opportunities for lead responsibilities at level 2 and potential access to the DOE Q clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering and 2+ years of related experience.
• Ability to work independently and in a team to complete technical tasks.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with thorough documentation.
• Experience troubleshooting and root-cause analysis to improve product quality.
• Knowledge of national consensus standards (IPC, ASME, AS9100, ISO, NQA-1, NAP 401.1A).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance and HRP enrollment.

Responsibilities

• Apply problem-solving methods to support development and qualification of measurement methods and production processes.
• Support development of process control methods to identify failure modes and monitor process capability.
• Assure safety and security compliance and stop work if unsafe.
• Develop technical approaches and make decisions for assigned work.
• Contribute to milestones and program objectives.
• Ensure QA results, materials, processes and products meet quality specs and requirements.
• Coordinate QA procedures for review and approval per laboratory procedures.
• Write or review technical specifications, quality levels, and inspection plans.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive work environment free from discrimination.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Communication skills

Independence

QA/QC knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Job description

Quality Engineer (R&D Engineer 1/2)

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos, NM

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. The Production Assurance Engineering (PA-1) department ensures that all products in the Weapons Production Directorate meet or exceed all quality requirements. We are seeking an R&D Engineer 1/2 (Quality) to ensure quality assurance results, materials, processes and final products meet quality requirements and are completed according to established processes. In this role, you will utilize a graded approach to quality including the application of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) principles based on risk to the product by following well-defined policies. This position will be filled at level 1 or 2 based on the selected candidate’s skills and experience, with additional lead responsibilities assigned at the higher level. This is a regular, onsite role in Los Alamos, NM, with a salary range as follows:

• R&D Engineer 1: $96,600 - $158,000
• R&D Engineer 2: $106,400 - $176,000

Responsibilities for R&D Engineer 1:

• Apply problem-solving methods to support the development and qualification of capable measurement methods, weapons quality systems, and production and manufacturing processes
• Support the development of process control methods to identify failure modes, track trends, recommend improvements, and monitor process capability
• Assure safety and security compliance, maintain required safety and security training, and make safety and security an integral part of every task, including taking the necessary steps to stop work if continuing the job is unsafe or compromises security
• Develop a technical approach, using judgment within defined practices and procedures, and make technical decisions, including making preliminary selections and adaptations of technical alternatives, for assigned work
• Contribute to the completion of milestones associated with specific projects and to the achievement of programmatic objectives
• Ensure that QA results, materials, processes and final products meet quality specifications and are completed according to established requirements
• Coordinate the preparation of QA procedures for review, approval, and issues in accordance with approved Laboratory procedures
• Write or review technical and performance specifications, quality levels, sampling plans, and inspection plans or procedures
• Foster a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment

Additional Responsibilities for R&D Engineer 2:

• Apply and interpret, on a broad basis, existing engineering and scientific principles, techniques, methods and tools to provide solutions for a wide assortment of complex problems where analysis of situations or data requires evaluation of causal relationships which are difficult to establish
• Develop a technical approach and new methods or techniques, using creativity in applying standard practices and procedures, which lead to new or improved capabilities
• Set direction and goals for well-defined tasks involving more than one person and provide peer review of the work of others across organizations or disciplines
• Scope tasks within a project and define deliverables at task level, and lead specific project tasks to meet scope, schedule, and budget
• Maintain state-of-the-art technical expertise and knowledge within discipline and develop new skills in related disciplines
• Attain additional certifications and/or qualifications to grow in field, which may include more advanced educational degrees

Qualifications for R&D Engineer 1:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited institution related to the occupation and 2+ years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and technical experience directly related to the occupation
• Demonstrated ability to accomplish technical tasks while working independently, as well as in a team environment, and ability to interact effectively with all levels of personnel to build trust, gain consensus, and resolve conflicts
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills and strong organizational skills to provide thorough and accurate documentation of technical and/or statistical reports and ensure quality assurance compliance
• Experience conducting troubleshooting, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting product quality using processes such as root cause analysis.
• Knowledge and understanding of national consensus standards of quality assurance, quality regulations, policies, and procedures as well as industry standards including, but not limited to IPC, ASME, AS9100, ISO, ANSI, NQA-1, and/or NAP 401.1A, etc.
• Knowledge creating processes and procedures for use by internal or external personnel
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance and Human Reliability Program (HRP) enrollment (U.S. citizenship required)

Additional Qualifications for R&D Engineer 2:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited institution related to the occupation and 4+ years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and technical experience directly related to the occupation
• Working knowledge of and/or experience with weapons quality related regulations, policies, and procedures including NAP-401.1A, nuclear weapons complex technical business practices, and weapons manufacturing, production, design operations and practices as well as other weapons systems
• Working knowledge and experience with nuclear and/or DOE QA programs of less than 3 years
• Working knowledge to understand and interpret various physical, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings, and schematics
• Demonstrated experience and skill in conducting research, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions to problems affecting quality

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to understand and interpret various physical, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings and schematics; familiarity with ASME Y14.5M standard, mechanical inspection, machining tolerances, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and assembly processes
• Knowledge of metrology and statistical methods to help diagnose and correct improper quality control practices
• Nationally recognized quality engineering related certification such as American Society of Quality's Certified Quality Engineer, Reliability Engineer, or equivalent

We Are Delivering Scientific Excellence

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution dedicated to solving the nation’s most critical national security challenges through science, technology, and innovation. As a cornerstone of the U.S. nuclear security enterprise and the nation’s premier plutonium center of excellence, LANL ensures the safety, reliability, and performance of the nuclear stockpile.

(IRC144976)

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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.