Software Engineer (R&D Engineer 2/3)

What You Will Do

Accelerator Operations Technology- Instrumentation and Controls Group - AOT-IC is actively seeking a bright, curious, and creative software engineer to help develop new software solutions, enhance software performance, support program functionality, and champion the reliability of our systems.

Joining Los Alamos National Laboratory's (LANL) Accelerator Operations Technology (AOT) Division, Instrumentation and Controls Group (AOT-IC) you will work collaboratively with our Scientists and Engineers to maintain, support, and improve software systems critical to the safe and reliable operation of the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) accelerator complex.

To support these goals LANL and AOT-IC offer flexible schedules and numerous career development opportunities. Our collegial work environment includes active mentorship, opportunities to learn new technologies and the chance to lead projects.

We invite you to apply for any role with AOT-IC that inspires you and look forward to discussing your future at LANL.

R&D Engineer 2 ($101,700 - $168,200)
  • Your responsibilities will include analyzing and solving problems associated with the software, hardware, applications, operating systems, and all other aspects of a modern production controls system environment.
  • As a full-time staff Engineer, you will work in a highly dynamic and collaborative environment and will be evaluated on both the quality of your work and on how well it integrates into the success of simultaneous projects around LANSCE.

R&D Engineer 3 ($122,300 - $206,300)
  • In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level you will have more software significant design and architecture responsibilities. Your collaboration expectations will also encompass more mentoring and coaching, as well as sharing of expertise and results both within the team and in broader community contexts.

This position will be filled at the 2 or 3 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.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

R&D Engineer 2:
  • Ability to develop and maintain technical documentation.
  • Experience working as a member of a project team.
  • Willingness to learn and adapt quickly in a dynamic environment.
  • Availability for rotating on-call support and after-hours work when required.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Familiarity with the software engineering lifecycle: requirements, design, implementation, testing, release, support, and documentation.
  • Programming experience with compiled languages such as C, C++, and/or Java.
  • Programming experience with scripting languages such as bash, Python, Tcl/Tk, and/or Perl.
  • Experience using and developing software in Linux systems.
  • Understanding of software build processes, makefiles, and software revision control.
  • Knowledge of troubleshooting and debugging software tools and techniques.

R&D Engineer 3:

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires the following:
  • Experience writing and reviewing detailed requirements documents and test plans.
  • Significant software design and architecture experience.
  • Detailed revision control skills with git, including the ability to recover safely from common errors.
  • Experience using advanced debugging tools and techniques.
  • Significant and detailed experience using Linux as a development environment, including use of utilities and system libraries.
Education/Experience 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.

Education/Experience Level 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. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.

Desired Qualifications:

R&D Engineer Level 2/3:
  • Programming experience with LabVIEW.
  • Experience developing software for embedded systems.
  • Experience and knowledge with virtualization, hypervisors, and/or containerization.
  • Linux system administration experience.
  • Programming experience with VxWorks or RTEMS.
  • Experience in managing and monitoring Linux networks using standard tools.
  • Experience in developing and managing websites, static/dynamic web content, and relational database back-end services.
  • Knowledge of instrumentation and control systems.
  • Experience with EPICS (the Experimental Physics Industrial Control System).
  • Research experience at a university or national lab or equivalent experience directly related to the occupation
  • Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which normally requires U.S. citizenship.
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Reading Vision, Sitting, Standing, Climbing stairs, Climbing ladders, reaching overhead, reaching horizontally, reaching down, Typing or keyboarding, lifting 30+ pounds.
Note to Applicants: Applicants must submit a comprehensive cover letter that addresses each of the job requirements of the position.

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.

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 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.