RF Electrical Engineer (R&D Engineer 1/2)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 97,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks an early-level R&D Engineer to join the Detonation Science and Technology Group (Q-6) in Los Alamos, NM. You will contribute to RF and pulse power engineering, assist with experimental facilities, and analyze data from high-energy tests, aiding safe and reliable operations.

This dynamic role allows progression from R&D Engineer 1 to 2 based on experience, with emphasis on teamwork, rigorous documentation, and national security mission support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering and 2 years related experience required for R&D Engineer 1; 4 years and/or equivalent mix for higher level.
• Experience with RF test equipment and high-energy experimental environments is desirable.
• Strong technical documentation and ability to produce integration guides and test reports is essential.

Responsibilities

• Work on RF and pulse power engineering projects within Q-6.
• Assist with test facility integration and high-voltage capacitor discharge unit operations.
• Analyze telemetry and data to identify root causes and craft engineering solutions.
• Document engineering work clearly and maintain version control for traceability.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to support national security missions.

Skills

RF engineering

Pulse power

Diagnostics

Documentation

Safety analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

COMSOL Multiphysics

CREO Parametric

Oscilloscopes

Network analyzers

Job description

Where 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.

What You Will Do

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 early-level R&D Engineer. You will work with a diverse team of engineers, technologists, and technicians on Radio Frequency (RF) and pulse power engineering, experimental facility integration with high-voltage capacitive discharge unit operations that support critical and high consequence experiments. Q-6 is looking for a thoughtful, collaborative engineer who enjoys solving real problems, learning quickly, and contributing to a team-oriented environment. This is a dynamic role that offers diverse opportunities to engage in a wide range of testing activities within Q-6 while growing your career and enjoying what you do.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

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

Electrical engineering

• Specializing in Radio Frequency (RF) and experience process critical data RF data packages

Pulse power engineering

• Develop and optimize hardware and software frameworks
• Design and define electrical interfaces, schematics, and mechanical parameters for boards, chassis, and connectors
• Create high-reliability Printed Wiring Board (PWB) layouts tailored for specialized pulsed power applications
• Experimental facility integrations and deployment of complex hardware systems
• Conducting safety evaluations and hazard analysis to ensure secure, compliant experimental execution

Troubleshoot complex systems

• Diagnose and resolve anomalies in electrical systems using systematic, data-driven isolation methods
• Utilize specialized diagnostic tools including oscilloscopes, high-voltage test equipment, and both digital and analog diagnostics
• Analyze test telemetry to isolate root causes and implement engineering solutions

Documentation of engineering work clearly

• Document all engineering phases clearly, creating high-quality user documentation and integration guides
• Author detailed technical reports capturing test results and data-driven outcomes
• Archive critical lessons learned to drive continuous improvements across future Q-6 operations.
• Maintain meticulous version control notes to ensure system traceability and configuration integrity.

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

• Experience with RF test equipment (NAs, RF amplifiers, antennas, fiber systems)
• Demonstrated skill in solving complex mixed-signal issues using advanced diagnostics (network analyzers, high-bandwidth scopes) and data-driven root-cause analysis
• Demonstrated excellence in technical documentation, producing integration guides, test reports, design notes, and engineering artifacts used by multi-disciplinary teams

Additional Desired Qualifications for Higher Level

• Experience working with anechoic chambers and associated RF test equipment
• Familiarity with software packages such as COMSOL Multiphysics, CREO Parametric
• Proficiency with advanced diagnostics such as high-bandwidth scopes, delay and function generators, network analyzers, or precision LCR equipment
• Familiarity with high-voltage, pulse-power, or safety-critical electrical environments and related engineering standard
• Experience with system-level integration involving sensors, data acquisition (DAQ) hardware
• Experience overseeing hardware build and integration, including fabrication reviews, design for manufacturing considerations, and validation of signal/power integration.
• Execution of experimental operations involving high explosives safely and effectively
• Experience contributing to or leading verification, validation, environmental qualification, and engineering review processes
• Competence with version control, technical documentation, and engineering review processes, including validation & verification or environmental qualification testing

Essential Job Functions

• Ability to speak
• 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 2 years.

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