R&D Engineer 1

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Free basic life and disability

401(k) with match

Tuition assistance

Flexible PTO and holidays

Onsite gyms

Relocation packages

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM, seeks an R&D Engineer 1 in the Detonator Production Process Engineering group (DP-2) to develop and improve detonator and subcomponent manufacturing and inspection processes, ensuring quality and yield.

You will document processes, monitor performance with statistics, and collaborate with engineers and technicians to meet product requirements in a high-rigor manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience applying engineering principles, methods, and tools to complex problems.
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Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and security compliance, maintaining required training and following laboratory policies and practices.
• Serve as a process SME on cross-functional teams.
• Responsible for fabrication, inspection, and testing processes for War Reserve and experimental detonator components and subcomponents.
• Document processes via design evaluations and feedback from manufacturing/inspection.
• Monitor process performance using statistical analysis methods.
• Identify and procure production equipment to support manufacturing processes.
• Coordinate maintenance and repair to keep equipment within guidelines.
• Develop, design, and fabricate tooling/fixturing for production processes.
• Support procurement of War Reserve process material with detailed requirements.
• Collaborate with other Process, Product, Quality Engineers, Technicians and Inspectors.

Skills

Technical ownership

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Safety awareness

Leadership

Drawings interpretation

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Tools

Solumina

SOMS

SAP

CREO

PDMLink

MPMLink

JMP

Minitab

Job description

Where You Will Do

What You Will Do

Detonator Production (DP) Division is the premier Production Agency (PA) assigned to produce War Reserve (WR) detonators for the Nation's nuclear stockpile security mission.

Detonator Production is comprised of a team of motivated, highly skilled technical and operational support staff. The organization is centered on high-rigor manufacturing operations to produce high quality, safe, and reliable WR detonator products. DP partners with customers and stakeholders such as NNSA (National Nuclear Security Administration), Weapon System Design Agencies (LANL, SNL, and LLNL), and LANL program management organizations. DP values teamwork, personal integrity, a respectful workplace, and continuous improvement in operations, technical excellence, safety, and security.

The Detonator Production - Process Engineering group (DP-2) provides subject matter expertise to develop and improve detonator and subcomponent manufacturing and inspection processes. Process engineers support production, monitor process control metrics, and pursue yield improvement projects. They are responsible for accurate documentation (Travelers, Quality Instructions, and Standard Operating Procedures) and supporting the manufacturing team on the production floor. Process Engineers partner with Product Engineers to ensure product requirements are met.

Process Engineers in Detonator Production will have specific manufacturing experience related to their field of expertise and can use the principles and theories of engineering, math, and science to drive a disciplined approach to solving technical problems. They will support projects in demanding assignments requiring initiative and independent judgment. They must be able to work independently and as part of a team and have excellent communication skills.

For more details about DP, visit the following site: Detonator Production

As an R&D Engineer 1 working as a Process Engineer, you will initiate and conduct engineering assignments that ensure consistent quality and high yield of detonator component and subcomponent operations for DP-2.

Primary work scope includes, but is not limited to:

• Ensuring safety and security compliance, maintaining required training, adhering to laboratory policies, programs, procedures, and practices.
• Serving as a process Subject Matter Expert on cross-functional teams.
• Responsible for the fabrication, inspection, and testing processes for War Reserve and experimental detonator components and subcomponents.
• Documentation of processes through design evaluations as well as feedback from the manufacturing and inspection groups.
• Monitoring process performance using statistical analysis methods.
• Identifying and procuring production equipment in support of manufacturing processes.
• Coordinating maintenance and repair services to ensure production equipment is operating within required guidelines and specifications.
• Develop, design, and fabricate tooling and fixturing in support of production processes.
• Support the procurement of War Reserve process material through detailed requirements documents.
• Collaboration with other Process Engineers, Product Engineers, Quality Engineers, Technicians and Inspectors.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Technical - Proven experience applying engineering principles, methods, and tools to complex problems. Knowledge of using technology, fixtures, and automation to produce the required result in the most efficient and repeatable way possible.
• Leadership - Demonstrated ability to provide technical ownership in the day-to-day process of system startup & operation, tooling setup, in-process performance monitoring, component inspection, and engineering decision-making.
• Analytical - Use data to identify areas of poor quality or efficiency and collaborate with all stakeholders to develop and implement improvements to make the manufacturing processes more robust.
• Communication - Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with all levels of the department and division. Can effectively explain equipment usage and training processes to manufacturing technicians both verbally and through formal written documentation.
• Quality - Knowledge of monitoring process performance using Statistical Process Control, Six Sigma, and other methods.
• Interpretation of Drawings - Ability to interpret and translate complex design agency requirements in specifications and engineering drawings.
• Safety - Experience working safely in a manufacturing environment. Ability to analyze hazards and develop appropriate controls.
• Education/Experience: Position requires a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of the United States nuclear weapons programs, designs, and engineering.
• Previous experience or knowledge of manufacturing practices and processes, such as Conduct of Engineering, Conduct of Operations, Lean principles, etc.
• Experience in authoring standard operating instructions, work instructions, quality instructions, and basic project management skills.
• Knowledge or experience in the use of the following systems:
  • MRP/ERP software such as Solumina, SOMS, SAP
  • CREO, PDMLink, MPMLink
  • Statistical analysis software such as JMP, Minitab
• Proficiency in GD&T per ANSI/ASME Y14.5-2009
• The ability to travel occasionally in support of the products and processes.
• Active DOE Q Clearance.

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.

For full consideration, please submit a comprehensive resume reflective of your relevant experience to the job requirements and desired skills stated above.

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 2 years.

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

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.

Regular position

Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants

Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

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 applicable 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 opt. 3.