R&D Engineer 3/4

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 128,000 - 267,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks qualified R&D Engineers at the 3 or 4 level for hardware quality and product realization support in a classified setting in Los Alamos, NM. The role focuses on FMEA, operational controls, and security adherence across nuclear weapon programs.

The position requires strong analytical skills, leadership experience, and ability to operate with minimal supervision while traveling to National Security locations as needed.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Engineering required with 6 years of related experience; or equivalent combination
• Ph.D. may be preferred at higher level
• Experience QA system development and maintenance and audits/surveillances
• Proven ability to lead cross-organizational teams and train personnel
• Familiarity with nuclear weapon systems or related design/surveillance
• Experience with FMEA documentation and statistics

Responsibilities

• Engage with system and test engineers, surveillance engineers, and production personnel to ensure quality
• Facilitate and document Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (FMEA) and monitor controls
• Lead and contribute to CAQ and DAQ initiatives with a focus on security and compliance
• Travel to National Security Enterprise locations as required
• Provide training materials on quality topics and mentor less experienced staff

Skills

QA system development

FMEA facilitation

statistical methods

leadership

communication

problem solving

team collaboration

Education

Master's Degree in Engineering

Ph.D. preferred

Tools

DOORS

Cameo

Job description

Where You Will Do

Three positions will be filled at either the R&D 3 or 4 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.

What You Will Do

Report to the Program Director for the Associate Laboratory Directorate for the Weapons Engineering Office of Design Agency Quality (ALDW-DAQ) and be a contributing member to a dynamic team of engineers and quality professionals responsible for engaging with system and test engineers, surveillance engineers, production liaisons, and production organization quality personnel responsible for nuclear weapon development, testing, design, realization, and surveillance.

The position functions in a quality engineering role working as part of product realization teams, facilitating and documenting Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (FMEA), ensuring necessary and sufficient operational controls, and monitoring ongoing activities which support nuclear weapon-related activities. The position plays a vital role in evaluating subversion risks in support of Nuclear Enterprise Assurance for weapon programs, including cyber-assurance.

The selected candidate must be able to operate independently and must exercise personal initiative in successfully completing assigned tasks. The selected candidate will apply technical expertise in hardware design, fabrication, and knowledge of engineering practices/theory to meet programmatic deliverables. The successful candidate will work daily in a classified setting, and must demonstrate a strong commitment towards security, safety and compliance. The position will involve travel to National Security Enterprise locations with varying frequency.

R&D Engineer 3 ($128,000 - $215,900)

R&D Engineer 3's may be called upon to assist and serve a leadership role for performing causal analysis, and in quality assurance performance audits, assessments and surveillances. In addition, R&D Engineer 3's may be called upon to serve as team members and leaders for high-consequence DAQ supported initiatives.

R&D Engineer 4 ($153,600 - $266,500)

In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level the job assignments at the level 4 will have greater complexity and consequences. In addition, R&D Engineer 4's will serve as team leaders for high-consequence DAQ supported initiatives, requiring solid leadership and project management skills.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Requirements for R&D Engineer 3:

• Assisting & leading in QA system development and maintenance and/or performance-based audits, assessments, and surveillances.
• Ability to interpret various physical, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings and schematics; familiarity with ASME Y14.5M standard.
• Knowledge of and experience in one or more of the following engineering disciplines: aerospace, chemical, computer, cybersecurity, electrical, mechanical, or nuclear engineering.
• Working knowledge in the facilitation and documentation of FMEA.
• Strong foundation in basic statistics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize technical problems, and apply analysis and testing, if necessary, to generate suitable solutions and effectively document and communicate results.
• Demonstrated track record to foster an environment of teamwork, quality, technical excellence, innovation, and creativity.
• Capability to lead the development and presentation of training materials on quality or policy topics.
• Proven record of success leading cross-organizational teams.
• Demonstrated success in providing customer service and establishing strong customer relations.
• Proven skills and experience in completing complex assignments successfully under pressure.
• Advanced level of analytical ability and innovative thinking.
• Demonstrate responsibility for independent actions, decision-making and accountability within their areas of responsibility, managing multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to provide direction to less experienced personnel within the team.

Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 4:

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

• Demonstrated experience in assisting & leading QA system development and maintenance and/or performance-based audits, assessments, and surveillances.
• Demonstrated experience in the facilitation and documentation of FMEA.
• Advanced working knowledge of statistics.
• Demonstrated expertise in performing causal analysis, recommending and implementing corrective actions as well as documenting technical and/or statistical reports.
• Demonstrated ability to lead efforts to foster an environment of teamwork, quality, technical excellence, innovation, and creativity.
• Demonstrated expertise in the develop and presentation of training materials on quality or policy topics.
• Demonstrated aptitude at managing several concurrent projects in a challenging safety and/or security setting.
• Mentoring and assisting to train less experienced personnel within the team.

Education/Experience at 3:

Position requires a 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.

Education/Experience at 4:

Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 12 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:

• Nationally recognized quality engineering related certification such as American Society of Quality's Certified Quality Engineer, Reliability Engineer, or equivalent
• Certified Quality Auditor or similar credential
• Experience working in a design or manufacturing environment.
• Experience auditing and working with suppliers of materials, parts, or assemblies.
• Familiarity with nuclear weapon systems, design, production, or surveillance.
• Knowledge of weapon quality system requirements. (DOE/NNSA weapons quality policy NAP 401.1A).
• Ability to use statistical methods to analyze issues, identify failure modes, make decisions, implement corrective actions, and verify effectiveness
• Working knowledge of requirement databases (DOORS, etc.)
• Working knowledge of Model-Base System Engineering (Cameo, etc.)
• Working knowledge of software quality assurance
• Knowledge and application of cybersecurity concepts and one or more cybersecurity certifications (CompTIA, CISSP, CISA, CISM, CEH, etc.)
• Clearance: Q or TS/SCI (Position will be cleared to this level). Applicants selected will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter.

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: 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.