What You Will Do
The Production Liaison Group (W-8) is seeking an R&D Engineer level 3 or 4. W-8 is responsible for the definition and oversight of weapon production activities at the production agencies (PAs). W 8 has duty stations onsite at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and offsite at Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), the Pantex Plant (Tri-Lab Project Office), and the Y 12 National Security Complex. W-8 partners with all legacy programs, Life Extension Programs (LEPs), alteration programs (Alts), new programs, technology maturation, physics, and quality. In addition, W-8's portfolio provides a platform to partner with both internal and external stakeholders.
This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 3 or R&D Engineer 4 level, depending on the skills, education, and experience of the selected candidate.
R&D Engineer 3 ($122,300 - $206,300)
The selected candidate will support production qualification for the B61, W76, W78, and W88 weapons programs at the various PAs, vendors and suppliers. Activities may include assisting with hardware provisioning for local, joint, flight and hydro tests, along with system engineering support for product definition. The candidate will partner with the PA's in resolving issues relating to nuclear weapon production and integrity. They will also participate in site reviews, approve PA procedures and process changes, and provide the technical interface between the PA's and the LANL Design Agency (DA) systems engineering and physics communities. Additionally, the candidate will provide detailed knowledge, information, and experience related to weapon component manufacturing methods to the PA. They will also represent LANL at numerous programmatic meetings as the lead, participating and assisting in any special projects required by LANL management.
R&D Engineer 4 ($146,800 - $254,700)
In addition to the R&D Engineer 3 level, the R&D Engineer 4 will work with group management to develop and execute strategic plans aimed at improving overall production capabilities, reducing single-point failures and partnerships with the PAs. They will serve in more leading roles and function as a technical mentor to early- and mid-career staff and represent group management as needed.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Weapons Engineering:
- Thorough knowledge of engineering principles to provide solutions in one or more of the following disciplines: material science, mechanical engineering, or engineering.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret mechanical drawings and specifications.
- Functional knowledge of the B61, W76, W78, and the W88 Weapon Systems in regard to production and operation.
- Demonstrated experience with nuclear weapons production and production certification of special nuclear materials and components applicable to the various Los Alamos designed Weapon Systems.
Technical Leadership:
- Demonstrated ability in leading projects, assembling teams across multiple organizations, establishing project plans, assigning tasks to team members, and reporting progress.
- Proven ability to reach milestones and produce deliverables; while, remaining within budget constraints.
- Demonstrated ability to identify, address, and resolve technical problems.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimum supervision, as well as effectively as part of a team in a multi-discipline environment.
- Demonstrated ability to generate and apply innovative approaches to solve complex problems. Proven record of achievements in a technical field.
- Demonstrated ability to meet schedule and deliverables for multiple concurrent projects with a range of priorities.
Weapons Complex Experience:
- Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with all levels of National Security Enterprise (NSE) personnel including internal and external stakeholders to provide solutions to complex problems. Experience with Product Realization Teams (PRT) during the concurrent engineering/process development, process prove-in, engineering evaluation, qualification and production phases.
- Experience mentoring less experienced personnel, team with other personnel across the NSE, and present work objectives and results at all levels to internal and external stakeholders.
Problem Solving:
- Development and implementation of innovative process improvements that correct systemic production issues.
- Demonstrated and proven record of developing and fostering successful cross-organizational teams to solve complex problems.
Communication and Teamwork:
- Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimum supervision, as well as the ability to be an effective member of a multidisciplinary team.
- Mentorship of less experienced personnel.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 4:
- Advanced knowledge of systems engineering and requirements management principles and processes.
- Exceptional skills demonstrated in the following areas: problem solving, conflict resolution, de-escalation and stakeholder interactions.
- Notable experience with engineering component fabrication, inspection processes and/or assembly operations.
- Demonstrated mentoring and teaming skills.
- Demonstrated experience leading projects, evaluations or other critical engineering attributes.
Education/Experience:
R&D Engineer 3: The position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 6 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
R&D Engineer 4: Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 12 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience with the engineering authorization system, document management systems (e.g., EALink and PDMLink) and applications to stockpile maintenance.
- Ability to interpret specifications and mechanical drawings including GD&T.
- Demonstrated knowledge of weapon systems (e.g., legacy, modernization, new programs, material streams, technology maturation, quality or physics).
- Demonstrated experience interacting with NNSA, DAs and PAs.
- Derivative Classifier (DC) experience.
- Engineering degree from ABET accredited university/institution.
- Active DOE Q-Clearance and Sigma 15 authorization.
Note to Applicants:
- For full consideration, submit a resume/CV and detailed cover letter addressing all required and desired skills outlined above. (Please save cover letter with job number and name).
- A moderate amount of travel will be required due to programmatic complexity and moderate interactions with various DAs, PAs, vendors, suppliers and NSSA stakeholders.
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.
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 maternity and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, 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.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Term position: Regular-status Laboratory employees applying for term-status positions may retain regular status with approval of the cognizant Principle Associate Director.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to 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 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 1-505-664-6947 option 2 and then option 3.
