Electrical Engineer (R&D Engineer 3/4)

What You Will Do

The Advanced Sources and Detector (ASD) Project is responsible for the fabrication, installation, and commissioning of an ~ 20 MeV linear induction electron accelerator, through the coordination of efforts at Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). Nicknamed Scorpius, the machine will be used to diagnose subcritical experiments at the NNSS, within an underground complex (U1a; 963 feet below grade) in support of the Enhanced Capabilities for Subcritical Experiments Program. The ASD Project is seeking engineering support to execute the final design definition, and to facilitate technical procurements in support of the assembly, installation and commissioning of the accelerator, downstream transport (DST), and ancillary systems that comprise major portions of the complete Scorpius machine.

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 3 or 4 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.

R&D Engineer 3 ($122,300 - $206,300)


As a member of the engineering team for the ASD Project, you will work with the system technical leads, the chief engineers, and a geographically dispersed project team to support design updates procurements of the accelerator and DST subsystems to be installed at the U1a complex at the NNSS. You will coordinate and work with vendors on technical concerns that arise, in concert and coordination with the technical leads. This position includes travel to vendors and to NNSS and will report to the ASD Engineering Manager. This role is intended to provide the ASD project electrical engineering support throughout the project lifecycle until completion, including updating final design (Title III), procurement, fabrication, assembly, installation, commissioning, and transition to operations.

You will be responsible for the following:
  • Serve as a key member of an integrated design team creating electrical distribution, controls, and diagnostic designs for an advanced linear accelerator system
  • Ensure the development of quality designs that meet requirements and national standards while meeting project cost and schedule
  • Oversee the creation of electrical schematics, block diagrams, wiring diagrams, and cable drawings using Autocad Electrical
  • Check electrical drawings and designs produced by other engineers and designers
  • Troubleshoot electrical hardware using general test equipment
  • Interact with physicists, engineers and technicians to fully document electrical system designs including the incorporation of as built drawings
  • Act as a liaison among engineers, electrical safety officers, and fabricators to resolve design and/or manufacturing issues
  • Perform engineering calculations to size electrical equipment, power distribution, and cables
  • Create content and present engineering designs at review and status meetings.
  • Provide technical support for component installation at the Integrated Test Stand and U1a complex at NNSS.

R&D Engineer 4 ($146,800 - $254,700)


In addition to what was outlined at the R&D Engineer 3 level, at this level you would be expected to:
  • Support the ASD project as a senior electrical engineer in accordance with the ASD Design Engineering Procedure which defines expectations for design calculations, testing, design reviews, value engineering, manufacturability, safety, etc.
  • Serve as a senior engineer to provide day-to-day guidance for the electrical engineering team.
  • Mentor junior R&D Engineers

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Electrical Engineering

Demonstrated experience designing electrical power distribution, instrumentation, and controls systems in industrial settings using AutoCad Electrical. Demonstrated experience overseeing the creation of high-quality electrical schematics, block diagrams, wiring diagrams, and cable drawings using Autocad Electrical. Basic knowledge of National Electric Code (NEC) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listings.

Electrical Testing

Advanced Knowledge of general test equipment and experience using DVM, power meters, Oscilloscopes, signal and pulse generators, network analyzers, and measurements of analog and digital signals. Demonstrated experience troubleshooting electrical equipment. Additionally, you will need to have experience generating documentation pertaining to design, procurement, testing and QA/QC.

Project Leadership & Practices

Experience working in a fast-paced project environment to meet all technical needs and project deliverables. Familiar with following project processes for design, configuration control, procurement, and nonconformance reports.

Communication and Teamwork

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively verbally and through written documentation with coworkers, vendors, customers, and management. Proven record of working effectively as a team member. Recognized ability to lead projects involving diverse team members.

Education/Experience for R&D Engineer 3

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.

Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 4:

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

Accelerator Engineering Expertise

Extensive experience designing electrical power distribution, instrumentation, and controls systems in industrial settings using AutoCad Electrical. Extensive experience overseeing the creation of high-quality electrical schematics, block diagrams, wiring diagrams, and cable drawings using Autocad Electrical. Demonstrated knowledge of National Electric Code (NEC) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listings.

Leadership Experience

Significant experience leading a team and experience collaborating productively with other teams of technical experts to overcome engineering challenges.

Education/Experience for R&D Engineer 4

Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution and 12 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Knowledge of and experience designing and/or operating technology systems associated with linear induction accelerators
  • Working experience at one or more of the NNSA design labs.

Location: This position will be located in Los Alamos, NM.

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:

Although the primary responsibilities of this position are associated with work at Los Alamos National Laboratory, regular travel is required to vendor sites and to U1a for supporting installation activities.
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/SCI (Position will be cleared to this level). Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance which requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon position, additional authorization to access nuclear weapons information may be required that may or may not be available to dual citizens depending upon the circumstances.

*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.

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 for applicant eligibility requirements.
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 or preference, 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 1-505-665-4444 option 1.