R&D Engineer 2/3 HE Facilities Engineer

What You Will Do

The Weapons Facilities Operations (WFO) Facility Operations Directorate (FOD) has a great opportunity for a High Explosives Facilities R&D Engineer 2/3. The selected candidate will report to the WFO High Explosives Operations Manager serving as a member of WFO High Explosives Operations Team. The team provides operational expertise, guidance, and real time support to organizations who conduct explosives experiments/activities within the WFO area of responsibility. The selected candidate will support ALDW's expanding and existing infrastructure by assisting with designing new structures and assessing current structures to ensure safe and compliant operations. This position will also evaluate the fragment and shock mitigations for programmatic experiments to ensure facility and personnel protection. This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 or 3 level, depending on the skills and background of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to, (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

R&D Engineer 2 $101,700 - 168,200

At the R&D Engineer 2 level, the selected candidate will review new structure designs and create and execute an assessment plan of current structures to ensure safe operations. The selected candidate will also evaluate the fragment and shock mitigations for programmatic experiments to ensure facility and personnel protection. The selected candidate will interface and collaborate with systems engineers, test engineers, and other analysts. Communication of engineering analysis processes, methods, and findings will take the form of formal presentations and written reports.

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

In addition to what was outlined at the R&D Engineer 2 level, at this level the selected candidate will demonstrate expertise and leadership within the ALDW Explosives Safety Team. You will provide mentorship to early-career staff and create and execute strategic plans for several engineering and design projects within the portfolio.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Engineering Expertise: Ability to perform engineering analysis at an appropriate level of fidelity ranging from hand calculations to complex, system-level modeling in programs such as BlastX. Demonstrated experience in designing, planning, and executing research and development projects.

Technical knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of theory and application of explosive effects. Experience with explosives experiment equipment and diagnostic selection. Proficiency with DOE-STD-1212-2019, Explosives Safety, UFC-3-340-02, Structures to Resist the Effects of Accidental Explosions, DDESB technical papers, and DoD 6055.09, Defense Explosives Safety Regulation.

  • Emphasis on Maximum Credible Event (MCE), reflective pressures, protective/blast-resistant construction, barriers, QD terminology, windows and glass breakage.


Communication and Teamwork: Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills in technical reports and presentations; experience creating and meeting deliverable deadlines, both independently and as part of a team.

Education: Position requires a bachelor's degree in mining, Explosives, or Mechanical 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.

Ability to obtain a Q Clearance: Applicants selected will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter.

*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.

Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 3:

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

Work Experience: Relevant experience (> 6 years) performing complex engineering analyses or related blast calculations on structures and experiments.

Technical Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading engineering analysis teams, integrating and coordinating interdisciplinary work, and working with customers to define tasks and create deliverables.

Communication and Teamwork: Experience establishing and meeting schedule deadlines, both independently and for a team. Experience identifying the relevant analyses and scope required for a requested project and communicating analyses constraints.

Education: Position requires a master's degree in Explosives or Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution and 6 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:

  • Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent
  • Master's Degree in Explosives Engineering
  • Experience creating project management plans based on regulatory and compliance guidelines or targets goals and objectives.
  • DoD site planning course.
  • Explosives operations and handling experience.


Note to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must submit a resume and comprehensive cover letter that specifically addresses each of the requirements. Some travel may be required. This is a 100 % on-site position.

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.