Test Lead/Device Engineer (R&D Engineer 1)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance and health benefits

Dental and Vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Parental leave

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM is seeking a Test Lead/Device Engineer to plan, execute, and analyze experiments that support weapon verification and validation. You will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to define objectives, coordinate resources, and communicate results to customers.

Requirements include a Bachelor's in Engineering with 2 years' related experience, knowledge of testing across mechanical, thermal, and energetic domains, and the ability to obtain a DOE Q

Qualifications

• Engineering foundations demonstrated through design, testing, validating engineering solutions.
• Experience with analysis or testing in areas such as shock, vibration, fluids, thermal, nuclear, systems, explosives, manufacturing, process, control systems, data acquisition, and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning of design, testing, and analysis of experiments to support weapons verification and validation.
• Contribute to milestones and achievement of programmatic objectives.
• Own assigned tasks, set direction and goals, and manage work allocations.

Skills

Engineering Foundations

Hands-On Project Experience

Design Skills

Effective Communication

DOE Q Clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Job description

What You Will Do

The Weapons Engineering Verification and Validation Division (V-Division) ensures that weapon designs meet all requirements and perform as intended. The division verifies design compliance and validates performance through a combination of investigations, qualification tests, and evaluations. This mission is accomplished through close collaboration with organizations across the Weapons Engineering Directorate and the broader Nuclear Security Enterprise. V-Division carries out its work through assembly, non-destructive evaluation, test design and planning, test execution, and data analysis, all aimed at confirming the reliability and effectiveness of weapon systems.

The Weapons Test Execution Group (V-21) serves as the laboratory's center of excellence for complex weapon experimentation and system-level testing. V-21 is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing experiments ranging from component-level evaluations to full-scale integrated tests. These activities support weapon development, qualification, surveillance, stockpile assessment, and future modernization efforts. The group routinely collaborates with engineering, physics, manufacturing, and operations organizations across Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the Nevada National Security Site, and other national security partners.

This position may be assigned to one of four V-21 teams:

• Flight Systems Team - Supports qualification, development, and surveillance testing of weapon flight systems and associated environments.
• Material Compatibility - Supports development, qualification, and surveillance testing to evaluate material compatibility, aging, and performance in weapon systems and relevant environments.
• Stockpile Survivability Team - Evaluates system performance and survivability under demanding mechanical, thermal, and operational environments.
• Physics Validation Team - Supports integrated weapon experiments, hydrodynamic testing, and other experimental programs that provide critical validation data for stockpile stewardship.

As a Test Lead/Device Engineer, you will help develop, plan, execute, and analyze experiments that provide essential data supporting the nation's nuclear deterrent. You will work closely with interdisciplinary teams to define test objectives, coordinate resources, evaluate technical requirements, execute complex tests, and communicate results to customers and stakeholders. This role offers unique opportunities to engage in challenging national security work while developing expertise across multiple scientific and engineering disciplines.

The successful candidate will:

• Assist in the planning of design, testing, and analysis or experiments to support weapons verification and validation
• Contribute to the completion of milestones associated with specific projects and directly contribute to the achievement of programmatic objectives
• Take responsibility for understanding tasks and own contributions to deliverables, set direction and goals for assigned tasks, and manage their own assignments
• Assure safety and security compliance, maintain required training, and integrate safety and security into every task, including stopping work if it is unsafe or compromises security

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Engineering Foundations: Basic understanding of engineering concepts, principles, and practices, demonstrated through experience in researching, designing, testing, analyzing, verifying, and validating engineering solutions.
• Hands-On Project Experience: Familiarity with analysis or testing in areas such as shock, vibration, fluids, thermal, nuclear, systems, explosives, manufacturing, process, control systems, data acquisition, and data analysis, gained through class projects or similar experiences.
• Design Skills: Basic knowledge of engineering design principles.
• Effective Communication: Proven ability to articulate ideas effectively through both oral and written communication.
• Ability to obtain DOE Q Clearance

Education/Experience: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution related to the occupation combined with 2 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and technical experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Detail-Oriented and Safety-Focused: Dedication to precision and commitment to maintaining a safe work environment.
• Team-Driven Success: Thrive in a collaborative team setting, dedicated to achieving outstanding results together.
• Proven Leadership: Demonstrated leadership experience that encourages others to perform at their best.

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

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.