Controls and Design Engineer (R&D Engineer 1)

What You Will Do
Are you interested in a job where your contributions will become part of what makes DOE a science, technology and engineering powerhouse for the nation? As a Controls and Design Engineer you will play a key role in supporting national security through the NEN-2 mission. How we do the job is as important as the work we do. You have the opportunity to work in a dynamic team environment where communication, teamwork, initiative, and follow through are essential. This position is aligned for long-term career growth within NEN-2.

As a Controls and Design Engineer you will have the opportunity to contribute 50/50 as both a controls engineer and a mechanical design engineer. As a controls engineer, you will engage with both hardware (electrical/mechanical) and software to solve intricate problems and contribute to broader mission objectives. As a mechanical design engineer, you will implement the engineering design process to R&D applications to produce hardware and prepare calculations. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter, have a thirst for learning new software tools, and be comfortable practicing electrical and mechanical engineering on large complex systems. You will sometimes travel to interact with clients, walkdown systems, and test/deploy your hardware and/or software.

The Controls and Design Engineer is expected to perform the following duties in this position:

  • Develop CAD models for prototypical experiment hardware.
  • Program and configure programmable logic controllers, human machine interfaces, supervisory control and data acquisition systems, and other automation hardware and software
  • Prepare detail, assembly, schematic, and installation type 2D drawings in accordance with LANL standards.
  • Perform thermal, structural, mechanical, electromagnetic, and other analyses for experiment designs.
  • Assist staff with creating, testing, and installing prototypical hardware and software.
  • Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in process automation and controls.

Our Team:

The Advanced Nuclear Technology Group (NEN-2) conducts research, development, training and operations in the application of passive and active nuclear measurement techniques, as well as radiography. Applications of primary interest to the group include emergency response programs, countering weapons of mass destruction, stockpile stewardship support, intelligence support activities, and international treaty verification. In addition, NEN-2 works closely with NCERC Facility Operations (NCERC-FO) and Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) at the Nevada National Security Site to execute unique nuclear critical and subcritical experiments. A key component of the NEN-2 mission is to teach a wide variety of personnel from within the lab and national security partner organizations how to safely handle, detect, characterize, and manage nuclear materials. NEN-2 staff members conduct classes in criticality safety, nuclear materials handling methods, and nuclear instrumentation.


What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
  • Demonstrated experience developing design solutions for mechanical hardware using commercial software (e.g. SolidWorks, Creo, Fusion 360).
  • Demonstrated experience creating engineering drawings.
  • Demonstrated experience using multiphysics finite element software (e.g. ANSYS, COMSOL) and the ability to verify the results using hand calculations.
  • Demonstrated experience planning and executing engineering research projects.
  • Demonstrated experience working successfully in a high consequence environment that demands excellent attention to detail, conduct of operations, and safe work practices.
  • Interested in the areas of programmable logic control (PLC), human machine interface (HMI) operation, LabVIEW, and communication protocols
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate well (verbal and written) in a professional environment.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance (generally requires US citizenship).

Education/Experience: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution related to the occupation combined with 2 years of related experience.


Desired Qualifications:
  • Ability to troubleshoot and repair electrical and electronic equipment using common electronics bench instrumentation, such as digital multimeters (DMMs), function generators, and/or oscilloscopes
  • Ability to use standard shop tools such as soldering irons, crimpers, stripping tools etc.
  • Basic knowledge of, and the ability to, design, fabricate, test, and document electronic control systems
  • Experience with any of the following software tools: Creo Parametric, COMSOL Multiphysics, AutoCAD Electrical, LabVIEW, Rockwell Automation Studio 5000


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:
Willingness to do domestic and limited international travel. Frequent travel to the NNSS is expected. Travel may be up to 15% time.

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.

Term position: Regular-status Laboratory employees applying for term-status positions may retain regular status with approval of the cognizant Principle Associate Director.

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.