R&D Engineer 3

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 128,000 - 216,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Competitive benefits

Onsite gym and wellness programs

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking an experienced mechanical engineer to join the Space Instrument Realization Group (ISR-5). You will lead the design, analysis, assembly, testing, and integration of custom space-based instrumentation for national security and fundamental science applications.

The Intelligence and Space Research Division at LANL has more than 60 years of experience designing, building, and operating ground-, air-, and space-based systems supporting nuclear

Qualifications

• Experience translating program requirements, launch environments, and mission constraints into actionable criteria.
• Demonstrated use of engineering fundamentals to support design decisions.
• Experience leading mechanical engineering and design for complex hardware and systems.
• Professional development of early-career engineers and students in mechanical design, analysis and testing, documentation, and engineering judgment.
• Proficiency in CAD modeling and generating engineering drawings of complex hardware, including applying GD&T per ASME 14.5 standard.
• Proficiency in configuration control with PDM software or equivalent.
• Proficiency in hand calculations, finite element analysis or finite difference methods to perform structural and thermal analyses using simulation tools, such as ANSYS, Abaqus, Thermal Desktop, Simcenter, and/or NASTRAN.
• Experience conducting design trades, risk reduction activities, and applying engineering decisions throughout hardware development.
• Experience supporting and/or leading environmental test planning, data review, model correlation, requirements verification, or qualification/acceptance documentation.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal communication, and history of preparing high-quality technical reports and presentations and reviewing materials for internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated technical expertise supporting sub-teams, meetings, design reviews, test readiness reviews, qualification reviews, and flight-readiness decisions.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment, including interfacing with other engineers, scientists, technicians, project/program staff, sponsors and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, security, quality, peer review, and responsible engineering practices.
• Ability to obtain clearances as required for project work.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, analysis, fabrication, assembly, and/or deployment of spaceflight hardware.
• Act as a technical leader and mentor early-career engineers and student engineers.
• Contribute to ISR-5 mechanical engineering tools, methods, and best practices.

Skills

CAD modeling

GD&T ASME14.5

Finite element analysis

Leadership

Mentorship

Test planning

Engineering judgment

Verbal communication

Team collaboration

Communications

Education

Master's degree in engineering

Job description

What You Will Do

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking an experienced mechanical engineer to join the Space Instrument Realization Group (ISR-5). In this role, you will lead the design, analysis, assembly, testing, and integration of custom space-based instrumentation for national security and fundamental science applications.

ISR-5 develops and deploys advanced measurement systems from concept through mission execution. You will work closely with other mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, scientists, technicians, analysts, and test personnel to develop robust, flight-ready systems for national security and scientific missions. You will contribute to nationally important and scientifically significant programs while expanding your technical depth alongside experienced engineers, scientists, and technicians in a highly collaborative environment. The ideal candidate will differentiate themselves with technical expertise, leadership, mentorship experience, enthusiasm, curiosity, and a passion for effective teaming.

The Intelligence and Space Research Division at LANL has more than 60 years of experience designing, building, and operating ground-, air-, and space-based systems supporting nuclear nonproliferation, treaty verification, remote sensing, space situational awareness, and NASA missions including Curiosity, Perseverance, IBEX, Van Allen Probes, and IMAP.

This position will be filled at the R&D Engineer 3 level, dependent upon the experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the selected candidate.

R&D Engineer 3 ($128,000-$215,900) will lead the design, analysis, fabrication, assembly, and/or deployment of spaceflight and flight-like hardware. Act as a technical leader and mentor early‑career engineers and student engineers. Contribute to ISR-5 mechanical engineering tools, methods, and best practices.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Experience translating program requirements, launch environments, and mission constraints into actionable criteria.
• Demonstrated use of engineering fundamentals to support design decisions.
• Experience leading mechanical engineering and design for complex hardware and systems.
• Demonstrated and continued professional development of early‑career engineers and students in mechanical design, analysis and testing, documentation, and engineering judgment.
• Proficiency in CAD modeling and generating engineering drawings of complex hardware, including applying GD&T per ASME 14.5 standard.
• Proficiency in configuration control with PDM software or equivalent.
• Proficiency in hand calculations, finite element analysis or finite difference methods to perform structural and thermal analyses using simulation tools, such as ANSYS, Abaqus, Thermal Desktop, Simcenter, and/or NASTRAN.
• Experience conducting design trades, risk reduction activities, and applying engineering decisions throughout hardware development.
• Experience supporting and/or leading environmental test planning, data review, model correlation, requirements verification, or qualification/acceptance documentation.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal communication, and history of preparing high‑quality technical reports and presentations and reviewing materials for internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated technical expertise supporting sub‑teams, meetings, design reviews, test readiness reviews, qualification reviews, and flight‑readiness decisions.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment, including interfacing with other engineers, scientists, technicians, project/program staff, sponsors and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, security, quality, peer review, and responsible engineering practices.
• Ability to obtain clearances as required for project work.

Education/Experience

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.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with launch and on-orbit environments, including quasi‑static loads, random vibration, mechanical shock, acoustics, modal analysis, or coupled loads, thermal vacuum, thermal cycling, orbital heating, or electronics heating. Knowledge of standards NASA GEVS and SMC‑S‑016.
• Experience in aspects of project management of technical work, including defining work scope, schedules, budgets, priorities, and performance milestones.
• Experience coordinating test and flight hardware procurement, fabrication, and assembly.
• Experience with space hardware assembly and writing assembly procedures.
• Experience working in cleanroom environments.
• Familiarity with measurement transducer hardware and experimental design.
• Experience authoring proposals to support R&D endeavors.
• Experience with parts quality assurance standards and practices.
• Essential Job Functions(can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):

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

426.2A: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2A, 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.

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 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.