R&D Engineer 1 | Los Alamos, NM | Los Alamos National Laboratory

R&D Engineer 1

What You Will Do

Are you ready to work at the forefront of national defense? The Focused Experiments (M-3) group is seeking a motivated R&D Engineer 1 to support explosives research with M-3's Hydrodynamic Testing Diagnostics Team. This team works at the Dual Axis Radiographic Hydro Test (DARHT) facility and at outdoor firing sites in support of LANL's core weapons mission and other related programs. You will participate in planning, designing, fielding, and diagnosing tests involving the detonation of explosives. As part of the M-3 team you will work to design, maintain, operate, and improve new & existing high-speed diagnostics incorporating lasers, fiber-optic systems, and high-speed data acquisition hardware.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:


Technical Expertise: Experience in designing, drawing, overseeing fabrication of, and deploying fixtures and/or structures for explosives tests and diagnostics. Ability to assemble explosives tests and perform metrology on the assemblies. Ability to perform engineering calculations to support system design features (e.g. mechanical load, hydrostatic pressure)

Digital and Software Skills: Experience with CAD software (e.g., Solidworks, CREO, etc.). Experience with 3D printing and rapid prototyping. Proficiency with basic computer programs such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Teamwork: Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a technically diverse team. Demonstrated experience being involved in a team executing complex experiments in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.

Communication: Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to present their work at conferences, meetings, workshops and through peer-reviewed publications.

Education/Experience: Position requires a bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 2 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience with development and fabrication of novel, precision optical and electronic diagnostic probes.
  • Experience with mechanical design analysis software (e.g. Abaqus)
  • Experience with fielding diagnostics for explosives testing
  • Experience working in moderate to high hazard environments with a high level of operational formality
  • Active DOE Q Clearance

Work Environment: Outdoors, in confined space, at heights, underground, working alone, working overtime or irregular schedule working off-shift/rotating schedule, in a very hot environment > 100 F, in a hot environment 90 - 100 F, in a widely ranging ambient temperatures, in a wet or humid
environment, in a dry environment, domestic travel, operation of motor vehicles. Work in a noisy environment, work near machinery with moving parts.

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)
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.

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.