What You Will Do
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 Detonation Science and Technology Group (Q-6) serves the Laboratory and the Nation providing the knowledge base and component design responsibilities for the Nuclear Weapons Program and other critical national security areas. The Group's capabilities include design engineering for nuclear weapon detonators and detonator cable assemblies, design, fabrication, qualification, and installation of test fire control systems, pulse power engineering, advanced detonator design and testing, and applied problem solving. Additional capabilities include expertise in the detonation science and physics of detonator energetic materials, and engineering responsibility for the cradle to grave care of the detonators and detonator cable assemblies used by Los Alamos National Laboratory. Q-6 is also responsible for engineering, fabricating, or acquiring precision high explosives detonators for a diverse R&D customer base to meet present and future national security needs in a safe, secure, and efficient manner.
Q-6 is offering an opportunity to join the Detonation Science and Technology Group as an R&D Engineer supporting High Consequence Experiments, including hydrodynamic tests funded by the Los Alamos Design Agency. You will work with program managers, experimental teams, engineers, technologists, and technicians to translate experiment objectives into technical requirements, integrated timing and firing configurations, and diagnostic measurements. Your work will span experimental planning, hardware and fixture development, system verification and validation, deployment, and execution support across test sites. You will resolve technical interfaces, coordinate engineering readiness with site personnel, and document system performance and experimental results. We are seeking a hands-on, collaborative engineer who enjoys solving complex integration problems and representing Q-6's technical capabilities and testing practices within multidisciplinary experimental teams.
- Support customer and project discussions to identify experimental objectives, technical requirements, interfaces, and resource needs.
- Assist in translating requirements into test methods, experimental configurations, and acceptance criteria; document how the planned measurements address those requirements.
- Support the design, prototyping, fabrication, and evaluation of test fixtures and experimental components; prepare and update engineering drawings and schematics.
- Assist with selection, integration, and troubleshooting of firing control systems, diagnostics, instrumentation, and data-acquisition hardware.
- Perform assigned component and system verification and validation activities; collect acceptance-test data and document results against established criteria.
- Support experimental readiness by checking configurations and equipment status, preparing documentation and checklists, and participating in readiness reviews and dry runs.
- Support test setup and execution under approved procedures and within assigned qualifications; monitor diagnostic performance and verify data collection.
- Analyze and archive experimental data; contribute to test reports, documentation closeout, equipment maintenance, and improvements identified through debriefs and lessons learned.
R&D Engineer 1 ($96,600 - $158,000)
R&D Engineer 2 ($106,400-$176,000)
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
R&D Engineer 1 ($96,600 - $158,000)
- Fundamental knowledge of electrical, mechanical, or related engineering principles and their application to experimental hardware.
- Ability to interpret technical requirements, engineering drawings, schematics, and procedures.
- Hands-on experience through coursework, research, internships, or employment assembling, testing, or troubleshooting technical equipment.
- Ability to collect and analyze experimental data and document results clearly.
- Ability to contribute to fixture development, instrumentation setup, or diagnostic integration under technical guidance.
- Demonstrated teamwork, attention to detail, and commitment to following safety, security, and quality requirements.
Education/Experience for R&D Engineer 1: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution related to the occupation combined with 2 years of related experience. Candidates that meet the degree requirement, but do not meet the 2-year minimum experience requirement are encouraged to apply and may be considered for hire through an exception process.
R&D Engineer 2 ($106,400-$176,000)
- Independently lead defined subsystem or experimental engineering scope, working with customers to establish requirements, interfaces, acceptance criteria, schedules, and resource needs; identify technical risks and develop mitigation plans.
- Develop and justify experimental configurations and test methods; map requirements to diagnostic measurements and verification activities, and document engineering decisions through design descriptions and reviews.
- Own subsystem and component design, including fixtures, schematics, and diagnostic integration; evaluate prototypes, establish component limitations, and prepare final designs for release through applicable processes.
- Coordinate fabrication and procurement of experimental hardware; communicate technical requirements to fabricators and vendors, inspect delivered hardware, and resolve integration issues.
- Develop and execute verification, validation, and acceptance-test plans; evaluate component compatibility and system performance, analyze results, and document the technical basis for acceptance.
- Coordinate engineering readiness for assigned tests, including configuration verification, required technical reviews and approvals, controlled procedures and checklists, and system validation; lead troubleshooting within assigned scope during preparation and execution.
- Own technical documentation and reporting for assigned scope, including drawings, procedures, test reports, and final documentation packages; communicate results and recommendations to customers, mentor less-experienced staff, and incorporate lessons learned into test methods and hardware.
Education/Experience for R&D Engineer 2: 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:
- Demonstrated experience applying engineering principles to resolve complex problems involving experimental hardware or measurement systems.
- Experience independently planning, executing, and troubleshooting defined engineering experiments or subsystem activities.
- Experience translating test requirements into hardware configurations, diagnostic measurements, and acceptance criteria.
- Hands-on experience designing, integrating, or validating fixtures, instrumentation, or electrical, mechanical, or optical hardware.
- Experience developing and maintaining technical documentation, including drawings, procedures, and test reports.
- Demonstrated ability to lead well-defined technical tasks, coordinate contributors, and meet scope, schedule, and budget commitments.
- Experience applying safety, security, quality, and configuration-control requirements in laboratory or experimental work.
- Active Q Clearance, which normally requires US Citizenship
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):
- Ability to speak
- Reading vision
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 2 years.
Note to Applicants:
- For full consideration, a comprehensive cover letter addressing your qualifications against the minimum and desired skills requirements is required.
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 (https://int.lanl.gov/org/ddops/oma/prime-contract-management/applicable-directives/_assets/docs/DOE-O-206.2-Chg-2-LtdChg-Identity,-Credential,-and-Access-Management-ICAM-1.pdf) . 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 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-border-a-chg1-ltdchg/@@images/file) 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.
Internal Applicants: 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 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) for applicant eligibility requirements.
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.
