Weapons Test Scientist (Scientist 2/3)
Los Alamos National Laboratory
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a Weapons Test Scientist at either the Scientist 2 or Scientist 3 level, focused on planning and executing experiments that support our nuclear deterrent initiatives.
Responsibilities include developing test objectives, coordinating resources, and leading experimental campaigns with interdisciplinary teams. A Bachelor's degree and related experience for Scientist 2 or a Master's degree with additional experience for Scientist 3 are required.
This position is critical for national security efforts and offers competitive pay along with generous benefits.
Qualifications
- Experience applying scientific principles to experimental design and analysis.
- Ability to analyze complex technical problems and develop practical solutions.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Plan and execute development and validation experiments.
- Lead significant portions of complex test programs.
- Communicate technical status and results to stakeholders.
Skills
Education
Job description
This position will be filled at either the Scientist 2 or Scientist 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 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 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 three V-21 teams:
- Flight Systems Team – Supports qualification, development, and surveillance testing of weapon flight systems and associated 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 Weapons Test Scientist, 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.
At the Scientist 2 level, you will:
- Support the planning and execution of development, qualification, surveillance, or validation experiments.
- Develop test objectives, requirements, procedures, and technical documentation.
- Coordinate activities across multiple organizations to ensure successful test execution.
- Participate in experiment design, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Communicate technical status and results to customers, stakeholders, and team members.
- Contribute to project planning, scheduling, and resource coordination.
- Receive mentorship and guidance from senior staff while developing technical and leadership skills.
In addition to the responsibilities listed above, Scientist 3 staff are expected to:
- Lead significant portions of complex test programs and experimental campaigns.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior staff.
- Independently develop test strategies, schedules, and resource plans.
- Interface directly with customers and senior stakeholders to define future testing needs.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams in the execution of high-visibility experiments.
- Represent the team during formal reviews, technical briefings, and strategic planned activities.
- Serve as a recognized technical contributor within the organization.
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Demonstrated experience applying scientific principles to experimental design, testing, analysis, or validation activities.
- Experience planning, conducting, or supporting laboratory, field, engineering, or physics-based experiments.
- Ability to analyze complex technical problems and develop practical solutions.
- Experience interpreting and communicating scientific or technical data.
- Understanding of systems-level thinking and the integration of multidisciplinary technical activities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience preparing technical reports, presentations, publications, or formal documentation.
- Ability to communicate technical concepts to audiences with varying levels of expertise.
- Experience collaborating with customers, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams.
- Experience coordinating activities across multiple organizations or technical disciplines.
- Ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining project objectives and schedules.
- Commitment to safety, security, quality, and operational excellence.
- Demonstrated technical leadership experience on scientific, engineering, or experimental projects.
- Experience leading teams, mentoring staff, or coordinating major project activities.
- Proven ability to independently manage complex technical work.
- Experience developing schedules, resource estimates, or project plans.
- Ability to influence technical direction and provide strategic guidance.
Positions requires a Bachelor' degree in a STEM field from an accredited college and university and 4 years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Position requires a Master's degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 6 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
- Active DOE Q Clearance.
- Experience with experimental design, testing, validation, or qualification programs.
- Knowledge of systems engineering principles and lifecycle processes.
- Experience working in national security, defense, aerospace, weapons, or related technical programs.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
- Familiarity with LANL Design Agency Quality (DAQ) requirements.
- Experience developing technical requirements and test plans.
- Experience with data analysis, uncertainty quantification, or modeling and simulation.
- Experience working in classified environments.
- Experience mentoring junior staff, postdoctoral researchers, or students.
- Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and methodologies.
- Experience supporting field tests, large-scale experiments, or complex technical operations.
The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular‑status positions are converted to regular status.
Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
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