Test Lead/Device Engineer (R&D Engineer 2/3)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 106,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking an experienced Test Lead/Device Engineer to develop, plan, execute, and analyze experiments that provide essential data supporting the nation’s nuclear deterrent. The role interfaces with interdisciplinary teams to define objectives, coordinate resources, and communicate results to sponsors and stakeholders.

The position may be filled at the R&D Engineer 2 or R&D Engineer 3 level, with the higher level adding technical leadership and mentorship

Qualifications

• Experience communicating effectively with customers in one or more of the following (oral and written): schedule communication, project/program status updates, or spending/budget reports.
• Experience authoring and publishing formal test related documents, such as test requirements (TR), test plan (TP) and test reports (TR) and/or peer reviewed publications.
• Ability to explain technical ideas, concepts, procedures, and requirements to employees of all experience levels.

Responsibilities

• Develop, plan, execute, and analyze experiments that provide essential data supporting the nation’s nuclear deterrent.
• Coordinate resources, evaluate technical requirements, and communicate results to customers and stakeholders.
• Work with interdisciplinary teams to define test objectives and ensure successful tests across multiple disciplines.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Job description

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 or R&D Engineer 3 level depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level. 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.

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

At the R&D Engineer 2 level, you will function in the test lead role in support of a development, qualification, or surveillance test for LANL systems groups of other nuclear security enterprise partners. You will interface regularly with your customer, plan and schedule work in support of the goals of the test, participate in the execution of the test, and prepare test evidence in the form of data packages and final reports.

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

In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level you will be required to provide technical leadership and mentorship to other test leads on the team and interface with customers to engage in strategic planning for future tests.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

Communication Skills

• Experience communicating effectively with customers in one or more of the following (both oral and written format): schedule communication, project/program status updates, or spending/budget reports
• Experience authoring and publishing formal test related documents, such as test requirements (TR), test plan (TP) and test reports (TR) and/or peer reviewed publications.
• Ability to explain technical ideas, concepts, procedures, and requirements to employees of all experience levels.

Leadership Skills

• Experience designing experiments or projects leveraging principles