Systems Engineering (R&D Engineer 3/4)

What You Will Do

The Product Realization and Reliability Office (PRRO) in Pit Technologies consists of a multidisciplinary group of engineers and scientists that support plutonium programs (i.e., pit production, surveillance, research & development, and subcritical experiments) across the entire Pit Technologies (PT) Division.

PT Division is seeking System Engineers to provide comprehensive systems engineering of the numerous and varied PT production systems to ensure proper performance, safety, operational readiness, and peak efficiency. The PT production systems are complex systems-of-systems, typically requiring detailed mechanical, electrical, thermal, and controls engineering support. The responsibilities of the selected candidate will include:
  • Establishing comprehensive system technical baselines and maintaining those baselines within the formal configuration management system,
  • Conducting system-level FMEAs,
  • Developing comprehensive system maintenance plans,
  • Performing system assessments including periodic reviews of operability, reliability, and material condition,
  • Working closely with Facility Engineering to provide technical support for development and maintenance of system safety basis documentation,
  • Ensuring compliance with safety, security, and quality assurance requirements by adhering to governing policies and procedures,
  • Participating in system upgrade projects,
  • Creating knowledge store for future system engineers.

The selected candidate is expected to have a very high degree of relevant technical competence and be a recognized technical leader and/or leader of teams. The selected candidate will be required to provide technical leadership and oversight, interface with PT Process Engineers and Program Engineers, Quality Engineers, facility, safety, and quality personnel, and engage in strategic planning to advance LANL's capabilities. Mentoring of early career staff is mandatory at this R&D level.



We value diverse skills and experience. Our employees come from all different backgrounds. If you're passionate about what you could accomplish here, we'd love to hear from you.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirement

R&D Engineer 3
  • Demonstrated experience with relevant engineering disciplines (e.g., structural, thermal, fluid flow, controls, chemical, metallurgical, systems) including experiment design, planning, organization, execution, and data analysis.
  • Fundamental understanding of requirements management, the design process and configuration data management
  • Strong documentation skills including demonstrated ability to document technical results in a formal method/format
  • Excellent problem-solving/trouble-shooting skills for complex systems
  • Strong interpersonal communication, presentation, and collaboration skills
  • Experience in aspects of project management of technical work, including defining work scope, schedules, budgets, priorities, and performance milestones; developing cost, scope, and schedule baselines

Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 4
  • Demonstrated leadership in complex, multi-disciplinary efforts.
  • Advanced understanding of requirements management, the design process and configuration management
  • Experience mentoring early career engineers


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. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.

Education/Experience for R&D Engineer 4:

Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an 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.

DOE Order 426.2: Requires a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering or related science, 2 years job related experience, and 1 year of nuclear experience.

Q Clearance: This position requires a Q clearance and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by, or on behalf of, the Federal Government for access to classified matter.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated experience in the design or operation of relevant manufacturing systems
  • Experience as a Cognizant System Engineer within a Hazard Category 1, 2, or 3 nuclear facility
  • Formal Systems Engineering training and experience
  • Experience with nuclear weapon system engineering within a Design or Production Agency
  • Active Q Clearance

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:

For full consideration submit a comprehensive resume and include a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet each of the minimum requirements and any of the desired qualifications.

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 on going drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.
426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

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 1-505-665-4444 option 1.