Engineering Technologist 1/2
- Req. Number: IRC146273
- Organization : Q-6/Detonation Science and Technology
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Recruiter Name: Robinson, Loren
- Recruiter Email: lrob@lanl.gov
What You Will Do
This position is open for external candidates only to apply.
This position will be filled at either the Engineering Technologist 1 or 2 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.
Q-6 is seeking an Engineering Technologist with strong hands-on experience in electrical and electronic systems, instrumentation, diagnostics, and precision measurement. You will work with engineers, technologists, and technicians to configure, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot timing and firing control systems, data acquisition and diagnostic equipment, high-voltage systems, optical and laser diagnostics, and supporting facility infrastructure. This work supports high-explosive detonator testing in controlled, high-consequence environments. Prior high-explosive experience is not required; the selected candidate will receive the training and qualification needed to perform the high-explosive and safety-related portions of the role.
The Detonation Science and Technology Group (Q-6) serves the Laboratory and the Nation providing the knowledge base and component design responsibilities for the Nuclear Weapons Program and other critical national security areas. The Group's capabilities include design engineering for nuclear weapon detonators and detonator cable assemblies, design, fabrication, qualification, and installation of test fire control systems, pulse power engineering, advanced detonator design and testing, and applied problem solving. Additional capabilities include expertise in the detonation science and physics of detonator energetic materials, and engineering responsibility for the cradle to grave care of the detonators and detonator cable assemblies used by Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The selected candidate's primary contribution will be technical: translating schematics and test requirements into reliable configurations, verifying equipment readiness and calibration, making continuity, resistance, timing, and signal measurements, troubleshooting equipment and signal-chain problems, and supporting data review. As training and qualifications are completed, the candidate will also support high-explosive handling and test execution and may progress into Firing Leader or Firing Person In Charge (PIC) responsibilities at a local Q-6 facility.
In this role, you will:
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Engineering Technologist 1 ($87,800-$143,000):
Engineering Technologist 2 ($96,600-$158,000)
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires the following:
Education/Experience for Engineering Technologist 1: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Technology, Science, Math or related degree from an accredited institution and 2 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Education/Experience for Engineering Technologist 2: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Technology, Science, Math or related degree from an accredited institution and 5 years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications:
Essential Job Functions: (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):
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:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
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:
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.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as 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, state, and local 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 (505)-664-6947.
This position is open for external candidates only to apply.
This position will be filled at either the Engineering Technologist 1 or 2 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.
Q-6 is seeking an Engineering Technologist with strong hands-on experience in electrical and electronic systems, instrumentation, diagnostics, and precision measurement. You will work with engineers, technologists, and technicians to configure, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot timing and firing control systems, data acquisition and diagnostic equipment, high-voltage systems, optical and laser diagnostics, and supporting facility infrastructure. This work supports high-explosive detonator testing in controlled, high-consequence environments. Prior high-explosive experience is not required; the selected candidate will receive the training and qualification needed to perform the high-explosive and safety-related portions of the role.
The Detonation Science and Technology Group (Q-6) serves the Laboratory and the Nation providing the knowledge base and component design responsibilities for the Nuclear Weapons Program and other critical national security areas. The Group's capabilities include design engineering for nuclear weapon detonators and detonator cable assemblies, design, fabrication, qualification, and installation of test fire control systems, pulse power engineering, advanced detonator design and testing, and applied problem solving. Additional capabilities include expertise in the detonation science and physics of detonator energetic materials, and engineering responsibility for the cradle to grave care of the detonators and detonator cable assemblies used by Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The selected candidate's primary contribution will be technical: translating schematics and test requirements into reliable configurations, verifying equipment readiness and calibration, making continuity, resistance, timing, and signal measurements, troubleshooting equipment and signal-chain problems, and supporting data review. As training and qualifications are completed, the candidate will also support high-explosive handling and test execution and may progress into Firing Leader or Firing Person In Charge (PIC) responsibilities at a local Q-6 facility.
In this role, you will:
- Configure, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical, electronic, timing, firing control, data acquisition, diagnostic, and optical measurement systems.
- Implement wiring schematics; connect and verify cables, sensors, probes, and instruments; and perform continuity, resistance, calibration, baseline, and functional checks.
- Use measurement data and a methodical troubleshooting process to isolate noise, timing, connection, configuration, or equipment problems and verify corrective actions.
- Support test preparation and execution by integrating diagnostics, confirming equipment and system readiness, and evaluating results with engineers and other technical staff.
- Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including procedures, schematics, drawings, equipment records, data forms, and test reports.
- Maintain experimental facilities and equipment through calibration tracking, preventive checks, inventory and supply management, housekeeping, and coordination of maintenance activities.
- Complete required training and qualifications to safely support high-explosive and other high-hazard operations, follow established controls, and exercise stop-work responsibility when conditions are unsafe or unclear.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Engineering Technologist 1 ($87,800-$143,000):
- Hands-on experience setting up, operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting electrical or electronic systems, instrumentation, sensors, diagnostics, or data acquisition equipment.
- Demonstrated ability to use electrical test and measurement equipment, such as digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, timing equipment, signal sources, or similar instrumentation, and to evaluate measurement and signal quality.
- Experience reading and applying schematics, wiring diagrams, technical drawings, equipment documentation, or test instructions to complete technical work accurately.
- Experience supporting laboratory, experimental, production, or operations-focused test setups, including equipment readiness checks, configuration control, and verification of results.
- Demonstrated initiative, sound technical judgment, and a methodical approach to troubleshooting while working independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to clearly document technical work and communicate equipment status, test results, problems, and recommended next steps.
- Commitment to disciplined, procedure-based work in high-consequence environments and willingness to complete high-explosive, high-voltage, laser, and facility-specific safety training and qualifications.
Engineering Technologist 2 ($96,600-$158,000)
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires the following:
- Demonstrated experience independently configuring and executing moderately complex laboratory experiments or test systems in accordance with technical requirements and controlled documentation.
- Demonstrated experience integrating multiple electrical, timing, data acquisition, sensor, or diagnostic subsystems and resolving interface, noise, triggering, synchronization, or configuration problems.
- Demonstrated experience establishing readiness or acceptance criteria, leading technical troubleshooting, evaluating test data, and communicating results and corrective actions.
- Demonstrated experience maintaining operational documentation and developing procedures, schematics, data forms, or technical test reports for complex or hazardous work.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate equipment, facility, craft, contractor, or project interfaces while adapting to changing priorities across multiple test locations.
Education/Experience for Engineering Technologist 1: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Technology, Science, Math or related degree from an accredited institution and 2 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Education/Experience for Engineering Technologist 2: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Technology, Science, Math or related degree from an accredited institution and 5 years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience with data acquisition systems, sensors, diagnostic instrumentation, and electrical signal chains.
- Experience with precision or high-speed measurements, including triggering, synchronization, timing, calibration, noise reduction, or nanosecond-scale systems.
- Experience with high-voltage, pulse-power, firing-control, or other high-energy electrical systems.
- Experience with optical or laser diagnostics, fiber optics, high-speed cameras, or imaging systems.
- Experience using instruments such as precision LCR meters or digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, delay generators, vector network analyzers, or comparable test equipment.
- Experience designing, fabricating, assembling, or verifying mechanical fixtures, cabling, connectors, or experimental hardware.
- Ability to prepare and maintain technical documentation and interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, drawings, procedures, and system documentation.
- Knowledge of systems engineering, requirements management, configuration control, or test validation principles.
- Experience in hazardous or high-rigor test environments. High-explosive experience, including HE handling, firing operations, hazard analysis, or safety reviews, is beneficial but not required.
- Experience in weapons-related design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, or program activities.
- Active Q Clearance (typically requires U.S. citizenship).
Essential Job Functions: (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):
- Reading vision
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, a comprehensive cover letter describing your hands-on technical experience with electrical, electronic, diagnostic, instrumentation, or measurement systems and addressing the minimum and desired qualifications is required.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
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.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as 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, state, and local 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 (505)-664-6947.
