(R&D Engineer ) Manufacturing Engineer 1-2

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 Prototype Fabrication (PF) Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory provides decades of experience and expertise in machining, fabrication and precision dimensional inspection of critical hardware needed to support the nation's stockpile stewardship efforts.

The successful candidate will be joining a dedicated staff of engineers, programmers, journeymen machinists, dimensional inspectors, and quality assurance professionals supporting multiple programs with manufactured components ranging in size through a wide variety of materials including those with radioactive, toxic, pyrophoric, and/or other hazardous characteristics for a broad customer base, both within LANL and within the Nuclear Weapons Complex.

R&D Engineer 1 ($87,200- $142,500)

As an R&D Engineer 1, you will have the opportunity to support diverse engineering assignments within a manufacturing environment. Typical assignments include supporting production agency requirements that require high formality of operations in the PF Mark Quality Manufacturing Center (MQMC), new product review, integration and process development onto the manufacturing shop floor, and new equipment installation and capability development throughout the division.

In each of these areas you will be required to learn, support, and ensure that the diverse capabilities and resources necessary for the manufacture of product adhere to both the technical and quality related design requirements. This will include working directly with our diverse customer base, establishing priorities and providing oversight for incoming work and for other special projects. You will serve as the primary interface between program and line management for small and less complex projects, and support equipment installations, maintenance, and operations.

R&D Engineer 2 ($96,100- $159,000)

In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level you will be responsible for leading projects of larger scope and impact based on your additional years of experience.


What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:



Minimum Job Requirements:

Engineering Experience

Project Management:
  • Knowledge of and experience in project management for technical or operational work, including the development of project plans, managing scope, schedule, and budget; and identifying and managing risks for projects of limited scope and complexity.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities across multiple projects and meeting deadlines.

Communication and Teamwork
  • Strong writing ability and verbal communication skills required to independently prepare and present data and reports to peers, senior colleagues, management, and customers.
  • Demonstrated record of dependability, reliability, and commitment to the long-term needs of the job duties and programmatic goals of the organization.

Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 2:
  • Advanced working knowledge and experience supporting the manufacturing of products that meet the technical and quality standards set forth on the product definition through the application of engineering practices and principles.
  • Demonstrated ability to support and define manufacturing processes on complex configuration components and assemblies.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage projects of advanced scope and complexity.


Education/Experience at Level 1:

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution and 2 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at Level 2:

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Previous experience supporting R&D CNC machining and inspection operations within a complex manufacturing environment.
  • Experience using an ERP/MRP software, preferably JobBoss, within a manufacturing environment to document and control manufacturing processes.
  • Demonstrated ability to estimate time and budget requirements to meet customer product specification.
  • Knowledge or ASQ certifications in Quality Engineering, SPC, or Lean/Six Sigma manufacturing methodologies.
  • Experience with materials having radioactive, toxic, pyrophoric, explosive, and/or other hazardous characteristics.

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):

Work Environment:

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:

To apply, please provide a comprehensive resume that outlines how you meet the minimum and desired qualifications listed above. Cover Letters are encouraged.

Questions? Please contact LANL Recruiter Sarita Montano at saritam@lanl.gov.

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.

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, 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.