Neutron, Gamma-ray, & Particle Sensing Project Chief Engineer (R&D Engineer 4)
- Req. Number: IRC143477
- Organization : ISR-DO/Intelligence and Space Research Division
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Salary: $153,600 - $266,500
The Intelligence and Space Research (ISR) division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead the technical execution of current and next-generation space-based payloads in the Neutron, Gamma-ray, and Particle Sensing (NGPS) project as part of the Space Nuclear Detonation Detection (SNDD) program.
The SNDD program supports U.S. National Security by developing, delivering, and assuring the performance of space-based sensing payloads to detect, measure, and report nuclear detonations anywhere on the surface of the Earth, in the atmosphere, or in near-earth space. The NGPS project integrates advanced radiation sensing technologies with robust space systems to provide continuous global monitoring and treaty verification capabilities hosted on geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites.
In this role, you will partner with the project leadership team and guide a multidisciplinary engineering team through the full lifecycle of payload development-from concept and design through manufacture, test, integration, launch, and on-orbit performance assurance. The responsibilities for this position include:
- Define and implement appropriate engineering policies, processes, and standards to support the design, integration, and production of the NGPS payloads.
- Develop and maintain a deep system-level understanding of current payload design, performance and on-orbit behavior to support operations and anomaly resolution.
- Lead technical efforts to resolve issues related to payload design, host integration, and on-orbit operations.
- Provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary engineering team (electrical, software, mechanical, and systems engineering) to ensure successful project execution.
- Serve as a core member of the project leadership team, contributing to decisions on cost, schedule, scope, risk, and staffing.
ISR specializes in space-based radiation measurements for national security and basic science missions. We also develop systems for terrestrial and airborne applications along with the requisite ground support and test equipment. Our work receives funding and requirements from the DOE, DOW, NASA, and other government agencies. Projects are executed through a close interaction among all disciplines of scientists, engineers, and technicians, which fosters a highly creative and dynamic research and development environment. ISR activities support all aspects of capability, from concept development to operational support after launch or field deployment.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Technical Knowledge:
Experience in electrical, mechanical, software, or systems engineering design from concept through production
Experience developing system architectures and concepts that were successfully implemented and utilized
Experience in system test, integration, and validation
Demonstrated ability to lead technical anomaly resolutions and debugging efforts
Technical Leadership:
Experience leading engineers, technologists, and technicians for medium to large projects
Demonstrated ability to define technical strategy and program direction
Communication:
Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, with all levels of staff and customers
Ability to collaborate effectively across organizational boundaries
Strong conflict resolution and interpersonal skills
Collaboration:
Proven ability to work independently and in multi-organizational teams
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and changing priorities and to create detailed action plans
Demonstrated ability to foster innovation, technical excellence, and creativity
Team Dynamics:
Experience fostering team cohesion with a diverse group of technicians, engineers, and scientists
Ability to leverage ingenuity, creativity, and personal independence to support multiple and concurrent team tasks
Education/Experience: 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.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience with space flight and high-reliability hardware development and testing methods.
- Experience developing radiation detection systems (gamma-ray, neutron, or particle sensing).
- Experience leading engineers and technicians from design concept through completed systems.
- Experience with Radiation Hardness Assurance and High Reliability Parts Standards.
- Demonstrated experience working with and handling classified information.
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):
- Sitting and standing: Ability to remain in a stationary seated or standing position for extended periods, with requirements for sitting sometimes exceeding 50% of the workday.
- Mobility: Ability to walk at least 0.25 mile continuously, sometimes on uneven and/or inclined ground. Ability to walk up and down at least three flights of stairs.
- Lifting: The ability to occasionally lift or carry objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
- Manual dexterity: Performing repetitive motions with the hands and fingers, such as typing, grasping, and using a keyboard, mouse, and other office machinery.
- Vision: Close visual acuity is needed for tasks like reading, analyzing data, and viewing a computer screen.
- Communication: The ability to speak and hear clearly to exchange information with others.
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.
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:
- 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)
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/SCI (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. 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.