Welding/Brazing (R&D Scientist 2)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks a Research and Development Scientist to join the Welding and Joining team. You will lead R&D on high-energy density welding, brazing, and solid-state joining, collaborating with internal programs and external partners to advance national security missions.

You will develop and lead multiple research projects, contribute to proposals, and communicate results to diverse stakeholders, while upholding safety and security practices in a dynamic, high-visibility

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in solidification metallurgy, able to lead technically in this area.
• Experience leading R&D activities in welding, brazing, or joining.
• Proven ability to contribute to proposal development for welding solutions.
• Experience working in cross-disciplinary teams to design and fabricate experimental assemblies.
• Strong technical writing with peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience mentoring junior staff or students in research/manufacturing.
• Commitment to safety and security in all work activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple research projects and drive practical results.
• Develop and execute experimental and modeling studies in welding/joining.
• Communicate results to diverse stakeholders and integrate feedback.
• Support funding efforts through proposals and work packages.

Skills

Solidification metallurgy

R&D leadership

Proposal development

Cross-disciplinary teamwork

Technical writing

Mentoring

Safety and security

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Post-doctoral research experience

Job description

What You Will Do

The Sigma Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a Research and Development Scientist to join our Welding and Joining team-a dynamic group at the forefront of advanced manufacturing and materials science.

In this role, you will contribute to cutting-edge research and development in high energy density welding, arc welding, brazing, and solid-state joining technologies that support critical national security and scientific missions. You'll work on complex, real-world challenges ranging from weld distortion and residual stress to process optimization, leveraging both experimental and computational modeling approaches.

We are looking for a scientist with a strong foundation in solidification metallurgy and a passion for applying scientific and engineering principles to develop innovative, practical solutions. This position offers the opportunity to lead impactful R&D efforts, support production across the NNSA complex, and drive improvements in welding and joining processes.

You will collaborate with a wide range of partners, including internal programs in weapons, alternative energy, and global security, as well as external collaborators across universities, industry, and other national laboratories. This is a highly visible role with opportunities to influence both research direction and mission outcomes.

Sigma Division specializes in manufacturing science and metallurgical processes, supporting experimental programs at Los Alamos. The Welding & Joining team works closely with other technical groups to solve complex manufacturing challenges and deliver high-quality prototype and limited production components. Our work spans a broad range of materials-from hydrogen to uranium-and includes both unclassified and classified efforts.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop and lead multiple research projects, communicate results to diverse stakeholders, and play a key role in securing funding through proposals and work packages. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated scientist to grow into a technical leader while contributing to nationally significant work.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Demonstrated expertise in solidification metallurgy, with the ability to serve as a technical lead in this area.
• Proven experience leading research and development activities in one or more of the following: high energy density welding, vacuum furnace or induction brazing, and semi-automatic or manual arc welding.
• Demonstrated ability to lead or significantly contribute to proposal development efforts, particularly for innovative welding solutions addressing complex technical challenges.
• Experience working in integrated, cross-disciplinary teams to design, develop, and fabricate experimental assemblies aligned with customer or programmatic needs.
• Strong record of technical writing, including authorship or significant contribution to peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience mentoring junior staff, postdoctoral researchers, or students in research and/or manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety and security, including maintaining required training and integrating safety and security practices into all work activities.

Education/Experience:
Positions requires a Bachelor' degree in a STEM field from an accredited college and university and 4 years of related experience, typically with post-doctoral research experience at a university or national lab or equivalent experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Active Q Level clearance
• Experience in any of the following areas: arc welding (gas tungsten or gas metal arc welding), brazing, solid state welding, other welding/joining methods, is desired, but not required.
• Experience with weld evaluation including destructive testing and mechanical testing.
• Familiarity with non-destructive testing, visual inspection, and metallurgical characterization techniques.

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.

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.

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.