R&D Engineer 1/2

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 95,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Dental & Vision

Life & Disability Insurance

Parental Leave

401(k) Matching

Tuition Assistance

Flexible PTO

Onsite Gym

Relocation Assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a hands‑on R&D Engineer to support Test Fire Operations in the Detonation Science and Technology Group (Q-6). You will plan, execute, and document high‑consequence experiments involving high‑explosive components and diagnostics.

The role emphasizes rigorous documentation, configuration control, and disciplined execution in a safety‑critical environment. Onsite work in Los Alamos, NM with a clear path to E1 or E2 levels is offered.

Qualifications

• Fundamental engineering knowledge and hands‑on technical work.
• Ability to interpret drawings, schematics, procedures, and test requirements.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and communicate technical data.
• Strong technical writing, teamwork, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work safely in laboratory and hazardous environments.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and document high-explosive testing activities with multidisciplinary teams.
• Setup, execute, and troubleshoot engineering experiments and HE tests.
• Assist with procedures, drawings, schematics, test configurations, and technical reports.
• Operate diagnostic, instrumentation, and measurement equipment under guidance.
• Collect, analyze, and document experimental data.
• Support development and improvement of test fixtures and hardware.
• Maintain test equipment and ensure safe test operations.

Skills

Engineering fundamentals

Reading drawings/schematics

Data analysis & communication

Technical writing & teamwork

Lab safety

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

2+ years related experience (E1)

4+ years related experience (E2)

Tools

Test equipment operation

Data acquisition systems

Diagnostics equipment

Job description

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

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. The Detonation Science and Technology Group (Q-6) serves the Laboratory and the Nation providing the knowledge base and component design responsibilities for the Nuclear Weapons Program and other critical national security areas. The Group's capabilities include design engineering for nuclear weapon detonators and detonator cable assemblies, design, fabrication, qualification, and installation of test fire control systems, pulse power engineering, advanced detonator design and testing, and applied problem solving. Additional capabilities include expertise in the detonation science and physics of detonator energetic materials, and engineering responsibility for the cradle to grave care of the detonators and detonator cable assemblies used by Los Alamos National Laboratory. Q-6 is also responsible for engineering, fabricating, or acquiring precision high explosives detonators for a diverse R&D customer base to meet present and future national security needs in a safe, secure, and efficient manner.

Q-6 is offering an opportunity to join the Detonation Science and Technology Group as an R&D Engineer supporting Test Fire Operations. In this role, you will work with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technologists, and technicians to plan, execute, and document high-consequence experiments involving high-explosive components, precision diagnostics, and complex test configurations. These testing activities support the qualification of products that enable the Nuclear Stockpile Enterprise and require a strong commitment to technical rigor, configuration control, and disciplined execution. You will contribute to the development, integration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of firing and diagnostic systems, support facility and test‑infrastructure readiness, and produce high-quality technical documentation and test reports that support formal qualification activities. We are seeking a hands‑on, collaborative engineer who enjoys solving challenging technical problems, learning quickly, and contributing effectively in a team‑oriented environment.

• Support the planning, setup, execution, and documentation of High Explosive (HE) testing activities. Work with Engineers, Technologists, and Technicians in a hands‑on environment supporting experimental operations and Product Qualification.
• Support setup, execution, and troubleshooting of engineering experiments and HE tests.
• Assist with procedures, drawings, schematics, test configurations, and technical reports.
• Operate diagnostic, instrumentation, and measurement equipment under guidance.
• Collect, analyze, and document experimental data.
• Support development and improvement of test fixtures and experimental hardware.
• Maintain test equipment and support safe, disciplined test operations.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

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

• Fundamental knowledge of engineering principles and hands‑on technical work.
• Ability to interpret drawings, schematics, procedures, and test requirements.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and communicate technical data.
• Strong technical writing, teamwork, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work safely in laboratory and hazardous test environments.

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

Successful applicants will be able to perform the following duties in this position:

• Demonstrated experience planning, setting up, executing, and troubleshooting complex engineering experiments or test activities in laboratory, field, or hazardous environments.
• Hands‑on experience integrating and troubleshooting instrumentation, diagnostics, data‑acquisition systems, electro‑mechanical, and electro‑optical hardware.
• Ability to independently lead subsystem‑level engineering activities, including diagnostic integration, schematic ownership, test‑fixture development, and hardware validation.
• Experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting experimental data and documenting results in comprehensive technical reports supporting engineering or Product Qualification decisions.
• Demonstrated experience owning, developing, revising, and maintaining controlled technical documentation, including procedures, drawings, integration guides, schematics, and test reports.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams of Engineers, Technologists, Technicians, and other operations personnel in formal, safety‑critical environments.
• Ability to apply engineering rigor, configuration control, hazard controls, and disciplined work practices during test preparation and execution.

Education/Experience for R&D Engineer 1

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution related to the occupation combined with 2 years of related experience. Candidates that meet the degree requirement, but do not meet the 2‑year minimum experience requirement are encouraged to apply and may be considered for hire through an exception process.

Education/Experience for R&D Engineer 2

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

• Familiarity with laboratory equipment, procedures, and operations related to high-speed, hazardous testing.
• Knowledge of systems engineering and requirements management principles and processes.
• Strong understanding of schematics and hardware configurations.
• Experience in electro‑mechanical and optical hardware.
• Experience working in an environment where high‑explosives are present and be familiar with high‑explosive safety programs.
• Experience with weapon component design, fabrication, and assembly techniques, as well as advanced fabrication processes.
• Experience with nanosecond‑accuracy timing and measurement systems and instruments.
• Active Q Clearance, which normally requires US Citizenship.

Essential Job Functions

• 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

• For full consideration, a comprehensive cover letter addressing your qualifications against the minimum and desired skills requirements is required.

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

• 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.