Quality Engineer (R&D Engineer 2/3) | Los Alamos, NM | Los Alamos National Laboratory

Quality Engineer (R&D Engineer 2/3)

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 or R&D Engineer 3 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.

Do you want to be part of an energetic, high performing team; working on challenges and deliverables that ensure national security? Los Alamos National Laboratory is a multidisciplinary research institution with the brightest minds in the world and unparalleled technology and equipment. Production Assurance Engineering ensures that all products in the Weapons Production Directorate meet or exceed all quality requirements.

The selected candidate will:

  • Validate, interpret, and statistically analyze inspection data.
  • Validate the design and assembly of inspection fixtures.
  • Validate inspection processes.
  • Validate Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) programs in Quindos.


R&D Engineer 2 ($104,100 - $172,200)

You will support the Weapons Production Directorate by ensuring quality assurance results, materials, processes and final products meet quality specifications and are completed according to established requirements. You will apply quality-control methods to identify correct measurement methods, tools, and/or systems; identify data-collection points; and analyze data to identify failure modes, track trends, focus on improvement actions, rate performance and measure effectiveness. You will also define, identify and apply product and process control methods such as identifying critical control points and validating work instructions

R&D Engineer 3 ($125,200 - $211,300)

In addition to the duties outlined above, the R&D Engineer 3 will define/identify technical and performance specifications, quality levels, sampling plans, and inspection plans or procedures. You will define the metrics and methods of reporting that show measurement of QA and quality control (QC) processes. You will conduct technical evaluation studies of quality assurance controls. You will also support development of weapons quality systems associated with production and/or design activities.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Inspection: Knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), sufficient to provide consultation on dimensional inspection capabilities. Expertise in Open Setup Metrology techniques such as: Optical Comparator, Height Gauge, Micrometers, Indicators, Hard Gauges, Surface Roughness, Gauge Block/Pins, etc.

Manufacturing: Experience working in the manufacturing sector.

Quality Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience in, conducting troubleshooting, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting quality assurance using processes such as root cause analysis or others.

Quality Standards: Knowledge of and experience in interpreting and using national consensus standards of quality assurance, such as AS9100, ISO 9001, ASME NQA-1, and NAP 401.1A, etc.

In addition to having thorough knowledge of the R&D Engineer 2 requirements, the R&D Engineer 3 qualification requires:

Inspection: Experience with ultra-high precision Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs). Hands-on experience programming, error mapping, calibrating, and/or repairing CMMs to sub-micron uncertainties. Demonstrated experience designing, planning, and executing projects associated with dimensional inspection (e.g. CMMs, optical measurement techniques, surface analyzers, and open setup)

Technical Knowledge: Thorough knowledge to conceptualize and communicate major elements of quality to both technical and non-technical personnel

Project Support: Adept at supporting several concurrent projects in a challenging safety and/or security setting.

Quality Assurance: Thorough knowledge of weapon quality system requirements

Education/Experience R&D Engineer 2: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience 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.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated application of various metrology software and/or post processing packages. Quindos experience is highly desired. (e.g. Quindos, Calypso, PC-DMIS, and/or Polyworks)
  • Demonstrated application in collecting ISO 10360 calibration data, observing trends required for equipment monitoring and preventative maintenance.
  • Knowledge of creating and correcting CMM error maps.
  • Demonstrated experience of manufacturing software. Creo and SolidWorks experience is highly desired. (e.g. Creo, SolidWorks, NX, Catia, Inventor, etc.)
  • Existing DOE Q clearance or equivalent.


Work Location: The work location for this position is fully 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: The selected applicant will be required to work on-site, with limited work from home opportunities. For full consideration, please submit a comprehensive resume reflective of your relevant experience to the job requirements and desired skills stated above.

This position may require 24/7 coverage and therefore may require working a rotating shift schedule that includes nights and weekends.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of 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 maternity and parental leave
  • Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
  • Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
  • Flexible schedules and time off (PTO)
  • 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.

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 or preference, 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.