Veterans
Continue the Mission.
Share your talent in support of national security.
Veterans and members of the U.S. armed forces have contributed their tremendous talents to serve our country. We honor that commitment and are dedicated to assisting you in continuing the mission through a meaningful career with us. Focused on a mission of international security and deterrence, Los Alamos National Laboratory is often a natural fit and next step for veterans and transitioning service personnel from any branch of the military.
Find YOUR Perfect Fit
Click the appropriate button and fill in the requested information about your experience and skills. The more detail you provide, the better job alignment you’ll see. The tool will align current job openings that match your background, making it easier to find opportunities that suit your unique qualifications.
Veterans add tremendous value to the Laboratory in all capacities including leadership, mission focus, determination and experience getting things done. Members of our Veterans Employee Resource group share their perspectives.
We are here to help you find your future at the Lab
At Los Alamos National Laboratory, we understand the unique skills and experiences that veterans bring to the workforce. We're committed to supporting veterans in their transition to civilian careers and we're here to provide guidance on resume building and job search strategies tailored specifically for you. Below are some tips from our recruiting team to make it easier to find and apply for your next opportunity.
Use the keyword search function or the skills convertor link above to find possible opportunities.
Carefully review the job description and make sure that you meet the minimum requirements for skills, education and experience. If you can confidently say, "Yes! That's in my wheelhouse," and you have several of the desired qualifications, you might be a good fit for the position.
Use a personalized introduction. Share why you're interested in the job and how it resonates with you personally. Highlight your connection to the mission or values of the organization.
Copy and paste the minimum requirements and desired qualifications into your cover letter and provide specific examples from your military experience demonstrating how you meet that particular skillset. There is no constraint on the number of pages for a cover letter. Use this as your opportunity to emphasize how you meet the requirements of the job.
Use civilian-friendly language in your cover letter, avoiding military acronyms and terminology that may be unfamiliar to civilian hiring managers. Craft a concluding statement to express enthusiasm for the opportunity and your readiness to contribute to the organization's objectives.
Craft a concluding statement to express enthusiasm for the opportunity and your readiness to contribute to the organization's objectives.
Use the following naming convention for your cover letters and resumes:
- [Your Last Name] Cover Letter [IRC number]
- [Your Last Name] Resume [IRC number]
One resume does not necessarily fit all jobs. It is important to tailor your resume to highlight your strengths for each position. Listed below are key components of a resume that our recruiters look for.
Name and contact information: Ensure your name and contact information are prominently displayed at the top of your resume.
Professional summary or objective: Tailor your summary or objective to match the specific job you're applying for. Highlight how your skills and experiences align with the position.
Summary of skills or key competencies: Match the language used in the job description, avoiding military acronyms and jargon. Focus on highlighting your unique skills and accomplishments.
Work history and experience: Address job requirements and emphasize results, achievements and accomplishments. Use action verbs and past-tense phrasing. Convert military experience to civilian skills, avoiding military jargon and using language that matches the job description.
Education and certifications: List your highest degree first and spell out military training without using acronyms.
Include any relevant additional information such as clearances, medals, publications, presentations, awards and recognitions.
Note if you have or had a clearance with the Department of Defense, particularly if the position required "the ability to obtain a clearance." Mention if you have U.S. citizenship if a clearance is required for the job you’re applying for.
We're honored that you’re considering continuing the mission with us, and we're here to support you every step of the way. Thank you for your service, and we look forward to welcoming you to Los Alamos National Laboratory!
We understand that finding your ideal career match may require additional support and guidance. Michelle Mazanec is our dedicated Veterans Recruiter and can be contacted at: michelle.c.mazanec@lanl.gov.
Meet Our Veterans
“While on active duty, I learned a great deal of discipline and professionalism that aided in accomplishing the mission at hand. Those abilities transfer very well to this job as we have a mission to accomplish in a safe and professional way. What I enjoy most about working here is the feeling of having a purpose to serve this great nation of ours again.”
Steve Nevarez
Military Job: Aviation maintenance
Civilian Job: Research technician
“The military equips its servicemembers with resiliency and teaming fundamentals, so we arrive at our civilian jobs ready to learn and lend ourselves to the mission wholeheartedly. We already have a foundational understanding of procedural structure and process-driven compliance. Many of our spaces at the Lab support this dynamic and having a healthy respect for safety and the prescribed way to do things is already in my DNA.”
Lauren Pena
Military Job: Apache helicopter crew chief, combat instructor
Civilian Job: Technical project manager
“It's important for me to convey that not all veteran employees at the Lab have taken the same path to get here. Personally, I have not yet retired from the military, and I have not obtained a college degree. There is one thing that we all have in common - the call to go above and beyond for our country - and I believe it is important to recognize and value the benefit that our military experience and education can bring to this organization.”
Tyler Barnhart
Military Job: 18C Special Forces Engineer
Civilian Job: Research Technologist
“I appreciate the opportunity to continue my contribution to something bigger than myself. It doesn’t just end with the military.”
Corina J. Gonzales
O-4 Major, United States Army Reserves
Military Job: Logistics Officer
Civilian Job: Contractor Assurance Specialist
“LANL is a special place where we do meaningful work in support of the defense of our nation and the advancement of science and technology for the world.”
Tim White
O-3 EOD Officer, United States Navy
Military Job: Lieutenant
Civilian Job: Group Leader for Experimental Device Engineering & Assembly
“I might no longer be in the service, but here I can still be of service, and the lifestyle in town and the camaraderie at the lab are unbeatable.”
Robert P. Baran, Jr.
O-4 Major (Ret.), United States Air Force
Military Job: Explosive Ordinance Disposal Officer
Civilian Job: R&D Engineer and Surveillance Engineering
“Every day I have the opportunity to work with great colleagues on programs that advance our nation’s security. In addition, my employer has been supportive of my military service as a Navy Reservist, which included two active-duty assignments. I am fortunate to have worked at Los Alamos National Lab for over twenty-three years!”
Douglas Thacker
O-5 Commander, United States Navy
Military Job: Engineering Duty Officer
Civilian Job: R&D Engineer
“I apply the same standards to continue serving the country in a new mission, new uniform, and new role.”
Jeremy Best
O-4 Major, United States Marine Corps
Military Job: Nuclear Engineer, Military Professor, Manpower Officer
Civilian Job: Programs Manager, Weapons Division
Partners in Veteran Support
While individuals may find the Laboratory on their own, we also participate in programs and partner with outside organizations who assist veterans in finding career opportunities. Some of these partners include:
Hiring Our Heroes
LANL participates in the Department of Defense Skillbridge Program via the Hiring our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program.
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The Service Academies & ROTC Research Associates (SARRA) program
The SARRA internship program hosts approximately 30 students from the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and ROTC programs.
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New Mexico Workforce Connection for Veteran Programs
Our local community is critical to the success of the Laboratory’s mission. Recognizing that 10% of the local New Mexican population consists of veterans, we work with the state’s Department of Labor through the NM Workforce Connection. This agreement allows us to easily engage with local veterans who are actively seeking employment.
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Veterans Jobs Mission
The Veteran Jobs Mission was founded in 2011 as the 100,000 Jobs Mission with 11 companies committed to hiring 100,000 veterans by 2020. The coalition has grown to 250+ companies committed to hiring 1,000,000+ veterans. We are proud to be a member of this coalition and work toward welcoming more veterans to our workforce.
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