R&D Engineer 1/2

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 97,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory invites applications for R&D Engineer positions at the R&D Engineer 1 or 2 level, within Mission Concepts (E-2) of the Engineering Division. The work spans design, analysis, testing, and validation of advanced engineering solutions to support national security initiatives.

The roles require a bachelor’s degree in engineering with related experience, plus the ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance.

Qualifications

• Engineering fundamentals demonstrated by research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation.
• Hands-on project experience in shock, vibration, fluids, thermal, nuclear, or related areas.
• Familiarity with engineering design principles.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Eligibility to obtain DOE Q clearance.

Responsibilities

• Assist in research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of engineering solutions.
• Develop technical approaches and make preliminary selections for assigned work.
• Contribute to development of new methods to address critical technical problems.
• Mentor junior staff and collaborate within R&D teams.

Skills

Engineering foundations

Hands-on project experience

Design skills

Effective communication

DOE Q clearance eligibility

Advanced engineering knowledge

Complex problem-solving

Technical leadership

Professional collaboration

Technical expertise and accountability

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

CAD

FEA

Simulation software

Data analysis tools

Job description

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 1 or 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Mission Concepts (E-2) is a group within the Engineering Division (E-DO) of Los Alamos National Laboratory that assists with mission realization and developing advanced Research and Development (R&D) concepts for the weapons complex. E-2 integrates advanced manufacturing, computational engineering, intelligent autonomy, and decision science to rapidly transform emerging concepts into mission-ready engineering solutions. At Los Alamos National Laboratory, you will:

• Innovate and Create: Design, analyze, and build cutting-edge tools, instruments, and systems that enable researchers to explore, monitor, test, and discover both natural and man-made phenomena.
• Solve Critical Challenges: Apply engineering principles, theories, concepts, and practices to develop solutions for a broad range of technical challenges, including nuclear deterrence and threat reduction.
• Collaborate and Contribute: Work alongside integrated research and development (R&D) teams to solve complex engineering problems.
• Engage in Cutting-Edge R&D: Participate in the research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of engineering solutions that support our R&D initiatives.
• Advance Your Skills: Learn and employ advanced technologies and analysis techniques from our world-class engineering community.
• Adapt and Succeed: Thrive in a dynamic environment where you will meet evolving R&D requirements while upholding safety, security, compliance, and schedule imperatives.

R&D Engineer 1 ($96,600 - $158,000)

The successful candidate will:

• Assists in the research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of engineering and technology solutions in support of R&D initiatives.
• Develop technical approaches, using judgment within defined practices and procedures, and makes technical decisions, including making preliminary selections and adaptations of technical alternatives, for assigned work.
• Assists in the development of new methods, techniques or approaches to address critical technical problems.

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

In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level, the successful candidate will:

• Contribute to the research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of engineering and technology solutions in support of R&D initiatives.
• Apply and interpret, on a broad basis, existing discipline-specific engineering and scientific principles, techniques, methods and tools to provide solutions for a wide assortment of complex problems.
• Develop new methods or techniques, using creativity in applying standard practices and procedures, which lead to new or improved capabilities.
• Develop mentoring skills to guide junior staff and peers in technical and professional growth.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Engineering Foundations: Basic understanding of engineering concepts, principles, and practices, demonstrated through experience in researching, designing, testing, analyzing, verifying, and validating engineering solutions.
• Hands-On Project Experience: Familiarity with analysis or testing in areas such as shock, vibration, fluids, thermal, nuclear, systems, explosives, manufacturing, process, control systems, data acquisition, and data analysis, gained through class projects or similar experiences.
• Design Skills: Basic knowledge of engineering design principles.
• Effective Communication: Proven ability to articulate ideas effectively through both oral and written communication.
• Ability to obtain DOE Q Clearance

Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 2:

• Advanced Engineering Knowledge: Demonstrated ability to apply and interpret a broad range of engineering principles, techniques, and tools to research, design, test and develop complex engineering and technology solutions.
• Complex Problem-Solving: Experience solving complex technical problems and developing new methods or techniques to improve engineering capabilities and drive innovation.
• Technical Leadership: Demonstrated ability to independently plan, coordinate, and lead well-defined technical tasks with occasional oversight, while providing technical guidance to junior staff.
• Professional Collaboration and Development: Experience participating in technical peer reviews, professional organizations, or external collaborations, with an interest in developing mentoring skills.
• Technical Expertise and Accountability: Proven commitment to maintaining current technical expertise, pursuing additional qualifications, and ensuring compliance with applicable safety and security requirements.

Education/Experience at lower level:

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution related to the occupation combined with 2 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and technical experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at higher 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.

Desired Qualifications:

• Programming: Computer programming skills to support engineering design, data acquisition, analysis, and machine learning projects.
• Engineering Software: Proficient in Computer Aided Design (CAD), simulation, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), or other specialized engineering software tools.
• Detail-Oriented and Safety-Focused: Dedication to precision and commitment to maintaining a safe work environment.
• Team-Driven Success: Thrive in a collaborative team setting, dedicated to achieving outstanding results together.
• Proven Leadership: Demonstrated leadership experience that encourages others to perform at their best.
• Q Clearance or equivalent.

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.

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.

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 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.