Structural Mechanics / FEA Modeling and Simulation Engineer (R&D Engineer 2/3)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Security LLC seeks an experienced structural mechanics analyst for the Advanced Engineering Analysis Group at LANL, delivering high-fidelity simulations and informing design, testing, and mission decisions for national security applications.

The role supports weapons programs and may be filled at R&D Engineer 2 or 3 level, depending on skills, with onsite work in Los Alamos, NM; opportunity to mentor and lead analysis efforts across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in mechanical, structural, civil, or aerospace engineering.
• Experience with FEA and preprocessors such as Cubit, Abaqus or Ansys.
• Ability to model complex systems under mechanical and thermal environments.
• Experience interpreting simulation results for real systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute high-fidelity structural mechanics simulations.
• Build, validate, and maintain complex FEA models.
• Analyze system behavior under mechanical and thermal environments.
• Collaborate with design, systems, test, and analysis engineers to connect simulation with engineering decisions.
• Present findings to technical teams and program stakeholders.
• Lead complex multiphysics analysis efforts (R&D Engineer 3 level).
• Mentor early-career engineers and grow team capability (R&D Engineer 3).

Job description

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

The Advanced Engineering Analysis (AEA) Group, E-13, seeks a national-security-motivated, experienced structural mechanics analyst to tackle some of the most technically challenging problems in national security. E-13 provides expertise in modeling and simulation, material modeling, post-processing, and interpretation of results for high-consequence systems.

You will work alongside experts in structural mechanics, dynamics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and radiation transport to deliver high-fidelity engineering insight. Your analyses will inform design, testing, and mission decisions, allowing you to see complex modeling work translated into real engineering outcomes.

We are looking for an analyst with structural mechanics and FEA expertise to support the weapons program. This position may be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 or 3 level, depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate. Additional responsibilities will be assigned at the R&D Engineer 3 level as outlined below.

Success in this role means producing technically rigorous analyses that design and test teams can trust, clearly communicating model assumptions and limitations, and taking increasing ownership of complex analysis efforts. Candidates who enjoy digging into difficult mechanics problems, connecting analysis to test evidence, and working across disciplines will thrive in this role.

Required Application Materials

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit both (1) a resume and (2) a comprehensive cover letter. The cover letter should address how your experience meets the Minimum Job Requirements and, where applicable, the Desired Qualifications, using specific examples. Applications missing either document will not be considered.

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

• Develop and execute high-fidelity structural mechanics simulations
• Build, validate, and maintain complex FEA models
• Analyze system and component behavior under mechanical and thermal environments
• Collaborate closely with design, systems, test, and analysis engineers to connect simulation with engineering decisions
• Present findings to technical teams and program stakeholders

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

• Lead complex multiphysics analysis efforts
• Mentor early-career engineers and grow team capability
• Set technical direction and influence modeling strategy
• Build strong collaborations across the weapons program and beyond
• Interface directly with stakeholders to define analysis approaches and communicate constraints and limitations

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

Engineering Expertise: A documented record of technical achievement in a relevant engineering discipline such as mechanical, structural, civil, or aerospace. In addition:

• Ability to operate across fidelity levels-from first-principles calculations to large-scale simulations
• Experience with FEA preprocessors such as Cubit and FEA software such as Abaqus or Ansys.
• Demonstrated ability to model complex systems exposed to a wide range of mechanical and thermal environments.
• Experience interpreting and clearly communicating simulation results in the context of real systems

Computational Skills

• Experience with meshing, material models, contact, and post-processing
• Experience developing or applying computational engineering tools (Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar)
• Exposure to parallel computing or large-scale simulations is valued but not required

Communication and Teamwork

• Ability to clearly communicate complex technical ideas
• Experience defining scope, meeting deadlines, and contributing to project planning
• Ability to deliver work independently and within teams
• Demonstrated commitment to technical rigor and peer review

Education/Experience R&D Engineer 2: Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution plus 4 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience

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.

• Demonstrated leadership in engineering analysis teams
• Experience integrating multi-physics models across structural, thermal, and mechanical domains
• Demonstrated ability to define project scope, schedule, and deliverables and work with customers

Desired Qualifications

Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent

• Structural mechanics and thermal experience
• Analysis or testing related to weapons structures
• Instrumentation, signal processing, and data processing related to structural and thermal applications

Other relevant experience in one or more of the following areas:

• weapons engineering
• verification and validation of complex models
• modern programming languages (e.g., Python, Matlab, C++)
• modern software development tools (e.g., Sphinx, GitLab, Confluence, etc.) and practices (unit testing, documentation, etc.)
• data analysis / signal processing
• parallel computing
• computational workflow automation
• error and uncertainty analysis
• weapons physics

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

Applicants must submit both a resume and a comprehensive cover letter to be considered for this position. The cover letter should specifically address how the applicant's experience meets the Minimum Job Requirements and, where applicable, the Desired Qualifications, using specific examples. Applications missing either document will not be considered. Some travel may be 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

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.