What You Will Do
This position is open for external candidates only to apply.
This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 1 or 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
The Weapon Systems Engineering (W) Division provides systems engineering and program management to ensure the safety, reliability, and security of our nation's nuclear stockpile for the entire life cycle. W Division is responsible for leadership of activities in stockpile assessment, certification, and life extension projects.
The Military & Stockpile Operations Office (W-MSO) is looking for an R&D Engineer to join our team! As an R&D Engineer in W-MSO, you will enable nuclear weapons maintenance, logistics and emergency operations conducted by the Department of Defense by developing procedures and providing guidance. You will collaborate with LANL Weapon and Component Managers, LANL subject matter experts and work with Sandia National Laboratories Military Liaison Organization in support of this mission. You will also support W-MSO's mission at the Weapons Engineering Science and Technology Education Center (WESTEC) and will have the opportunity to understand and discuss the current LANL weapons in the US stockpile.
R&D Engineer 1 $96,600 - $158,000:
Work with members of W-MSO, internal stakeholders, and subject matter experts to coordinate the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) position on resolution of unsatisfactory reports (URs) and updates to, or generation of, DOD related technical publications (TPs).
With appropriate oversight from senior group members, serve as the interface for certain military activities to the LANL weapon system and component groups. This will involve interaction with external NNSA and DOD organizations in support of nuclear weapon fielding and component exchange operations and issues in support of the US Air Force, US Navy, and UK Trident Program.
Support the training mission at WESTEC by leading the effort to develop or acquire weapon trainers. This will include working closely with engineers, technologists, and other program personnel, generating solid models of hardware and tooling, interaction with machine shop and additive manufacturing personnel, and support for various research and development activities.
Some travel will be required, mostly to Kirtland AFB, for interactions with SNL-ML, NNSA, Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and DOD customers.
R&D Engineer 2 $106,400 - $176,000
At this level, the above-mentioned tasks are expected to be accomplished with significantly less oversight.The candidate will be provided with a higher level of independence for work related to DOD or external partners. The job will require a higher level of knowledge and leadership, and you will be expected to use previous experience and sound judgement to suggest appropriate courses of action to internal stakeholders during resolution of URs and reviews of TPs.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
R&D Engineer 1
Engineering Knowledge:
- Basic knowledge of engineering concepts, principles, practices, and procedures, as demonstrated by experience researching, designing, testing, analyzing, verifying, and validating engineering solutions.
- Basic knowledge along with any class project experience with analysis or testing in one or more of the following engineering areas:engineering design, fabrication, manufacturing, additive manufacturing, computer aided drafting, static analysis, design optimization.
Engineering Design:
- Basic knowledge of engineering design
Communication:
- Demonstrated ability to express ideas clearly in oral and written communications. Ability to explain technical ideas, concepts, procedures, and requirements to employees of all experience levels.
Teamwork and Collaboration:
- Demonstrated ability to remain professional while working with internal and external peers and ability to foster and maintain effective working relationships.
- Commitment to achieving results in a team environment.
Safety and Security:
- Work experience demonstrating attention to detail and commitment to safety.
Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 2:
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in engineering disciplines.
- Demonstrated knowledge of engineering concepts, principles, practices, and procedures, as demonstrated by experience researching, designing, testing, analyzing, verifying, and validating engineering solutions.
- Develops a technical approach and new methods or techniques, using creativity in applying standard practices and procedures, which lead to new or improved capabilities.
- Demonstrated technical decision-making at task level within a project by making decisions and/or recommendations that influence the achievement of key programmatic objectives.
- Demonstrated ability to seek the input of subject matter experts and apply their expertise to deliverables.
R&D Engineer 1 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.
R&D Engineer 2 Education/Experience: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications:
Candidates selected for this position are most competitive when they also possess the following knowledge and skills:
- Prior knowledge of nuclear weapons.
- Computer Aided Design (CAD), mechanical design, machine shop fabrication, design definition, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), or other engineering discipline specific engineering software tools.
- Ability to thrive in a collaborative team setting, with dedication to achieving outstanding results together.
- Demonstrated leadership experience that encourages others to perform at their best.
- Active Q clearance
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:
- For full consideration, applicants must include a cover letter addressing each of the requirements (minimum and desired) noted in the job posting individually. Please copy, paste the minimum and desired qualification, and then add sub-bullets with your commentary.
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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
