Quality Engineer [CWI / Mechanical / QC] (Quality Engineer 3/4)

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Quality 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.

Quality Engineer (QE) 3 ($101,700 - $168,200)

Perform Level II QC inspections, proactively evaluate problems and make initial recommendations for corrective actions, develop and update inspection procedures, reports/inspection forms/formats, protocols and checklists, and perform duties of a Nonconformance Report Coordinator (NCRC) including the tracking, reporting and fostering timely closure of open nonconformance reports

The Quality Engineer 3 demonstrates advanced knowledge in application of welding and mechanical inspection skills, typically 8 years with nuclear and/or DOE QE program experience preferred. Experience in rebar fabrication, pre-placement reinforcing structural, steel inspections, and anchor bolt installation. Safety and Security are a primary responsibility. This position also monitors operations for adherence to project plans and specifications to ensure quality control compliance, performs inspection functions per inspection plans, records results of inspections / tests per applicable procedures, and is also responsible for implementations of quality control procedures and policies to ensure inspection / test activities to conform to applicable inspection / test plans, procedures, specifications.

Quality Engineer (QE) 4 ($122,300 - $206,300)

In addition to the duties listed above the Quality Engineer 4 will:

Demonstrate expert knowledge in application of welding and mechanical inspection skills, typically 12 years with nuclear and/or DOE QE program experience preferred. The QE 4 will apply expert-level quality control techniques and statistical process control methods to identify correct measurement methods, tools, and/or systems; identify data collection points; and analyze the data to identify failure modes, track trends, focus improvement actions, rate the performance, and measure effectiveness.



What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Quality Engineer 3:

  • Must have current or prior qualification as an American Welding Society Certified Welding Inspector (for Mechanical Inspectors).
  • Advanced knowledge of and experience with quality regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Advanced ability to understand and interpret various physical, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings, and schematics.
  • Advanced experience and demonstrated skill in conducting research, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting QC.
  • Knowledge of national consensus standards of QC such as ASME, ISO, ANSI/ASME NQA-1, and US NRC regulatory guide series. Advanced familiarity with construction codes and standards is also required, along with applying quality requirements to construction projects, where applicable.
  • Advanced technical knowledge in the application of engineering, environmental, procurement, construction, testing, and operations practices sufficient to evaluate and interpret specified requirements.
  • Advanced level of excellence in interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills (oral and written) as evidenced by successful interaction with various levels of management.

Quality Engineer 4:

In addition to the above:

  • Expert ability to understand and interpret various physical, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings, and schematics.
  • Expert level knowledge of construction codes and standards, and applying quality requirements to construction projects, where applicable.
  • Understanding of project management methodologies and applying quality requirements to projects being managed through a formal project management process.


Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, QE, or Industrial Systems Engineering or a related field and 8 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, QE or Industrial Systems Engineering or a related field and 12 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. Advanced relevant degree preferred.


Desired Qualifications:


  • Working knowledge and experience with DOE QC programs of more than 3 years.
  • Completion of a recognized apprenticeship certification program.
  • Additional relevant education and/or certification in a related field and/or current relevant professional certification.
  • Experience performing measurements using Romer/Faro.
  • Experience with helium leak testing.
  • Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (especially Outlook, Word, and Excel), and Adobe.
  • Active DOE Q Clearance and Active HRP status preferred.


Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Sitting, Standing, Walking, Running, Climbing Stairs, Climbing Ladders, Bending, Stooping, Crouching, Kneeling, Crawling, Twisting the trunk or back, Balancing.

Work Environment: Working overtime or irregular schedule.

Work Schedule: 4/10 schedule, possible 2nd or 3rd shift, periodic weekend work required.

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 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:

  • Applicants are encouraged to include a comprehensive cover letter addressing how they meet the Minimum Requirements and Desired Skills noted above.
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.

HRP: This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, § 712.11. These requirements include ongoing drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

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 P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Incentive Compensation Program: Position at the higher level is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.

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 1-505-665-4444 option 1.