Shock Physics Post-Baccalaureate Student

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & vision insurance

Life insurance

Parental leave

401(k) with matching

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM, invites applications for a Post-Baccalaureate Student position starting Fall 2026 to support the Shock Physics Team. You will design hardware drawings, build CAD models, and assist with fielding experiments across multiple facilities, including gas and powder guns and X-ray user facilities.

The role emphasizes teamwork, strong communication, and a background in STEM with hands-on machining, 3D printing, and data acquisition experience.

Qualifications

• BS in mechanical or aerospace engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, physics, or related field
• Experience with engineering drawing software such as SolidWorks, Inventor, or CAD
• Experience with data acquisition systems and oscilloscopes
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with strong communication abilities

Responsibilities

• Develop engineering drawings and 3D model assemblies for experimental hardware
• Assist with fielding experiments and supporting data collection
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers and technicians to contribute to the Shock Physics Team

Skills

Engineering drawing

Mechanical design

Data acquisition systems

Teamwork & communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM fields

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor

CAD

Job description

What You Will Do

The Shock Physics Team in the Shock and Detonation Physics Group (M-9) is seeking outstanding candidates for a Post-Baccalaureate (Postbac) Student position with a Fall 2026 start date. This position will support ongoing research in the Shock Physics Team, including developing experimental hardware designs, creating engineering drawings of parts, and assisting with fielding experiments. Experience in making engineering drawings and 3D model assemblies (CAD, SolidWorks, Inventor), machining, fielding or supporting experiments, data acquisition systems, and oscilloscope data collection are relevant to this position. Applicants are expected to contribute to the Team through collaboration and engagement with the scientists, engineers, and technicians with active communication. The individual will have opportunities to support experiments using a diverse set of platforms including those at LANL's Dynamic Equation of State facility with several gas and powder guns, at X-ray user facilities such as the Dynamic Compression Sector at Argonne National Laboratory, and at Sandia's Z-machine.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Experience with engineering drawing software (e.g. SolidWorks, Inventor, general CAD)
• Experience with mechanical design
• Experience with data acquisition systems (e.g. LabView, oscilloscopes)
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with strong communication abilities
• BS in mechanical or aerospace engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, physics, or related engineering or science degree

Education/Experience: Awarded a bachelor's degree in a STEM related field from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 within the last three years.

Desired Qualifications

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Hands-on experience with machining, hand tools, fabrication, 3D printing
• Experience with high-rate experimental diagnostics and oscilloscope operation
• Research experience in shock physics, high pressure science, condensed matter physics, materials science, high-rate mechanics, and/or time-resolved measurements of materials properties
• Prior internship or job experience in the topics described
• Have held a DOE Q clearance or other US security clearance within the last 5 years
• Willingness to learn to work safely with high explosives

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.

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.

Regular travel to scientific conferences, beamline experiments, and programmatic scientific exchanges is expected

A Q-clearance will be required

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.

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.