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R&D Engineer 3/4

What You Will Do

The W76 Systems Engineering group (W-2) is looking for Systems Engineers to support the sustainment and development of the W76 weapon system, a cornerstone of US nuclear deterrence. W-2 is responsible for the W76 nuclear explosive package and it's integration into the overall weapon system. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a contractor to the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). In this role, we continue the nuclear weapons work that began at Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project.

Engineers in W-2 regularly work with NNSA, the US Navy, and their respective contractors to execute the mission of maintaining a safe, secure, and reliable W76 warhead. The selected candidate(s) will be assigned to lead or support W76 sustainment activities (e.g., surveillance investigations, interfacing with production agencies, system model improvement activities) or development program activities that are currently underway. The development programs include war reserve modifications, flight testing, and transportation alts.

Responsibilities may include leading technical projects and tests as a Product Realization Team or a Qualification Lead, writing and reviewing technical requirements, coordinating activities with other NNSA agencies and the US Navy, assessing stockpile concerns, and providing engineering expertise to resolve technical and programmatic issues associated with the W76. The position requires technical leadership and teamwork with multi-discipline weapon systems engineers, production realization team leads, design physicists, and external agencies such as DoD and NNSA.

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 3/4 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.

R&D Engineer 3 ($122,300- $206,300)

Responsibilities will include leading and supporting W76 system studies, managing and directing product definition and specification maintenance, and overseeing activities in support of the W76 annual assessment-such as surveillance data reviews and anomalous finding investigations.

R&D Engineer 4 ($146,800- $200,800)
In addition to what was described at the R&D Engineer 3 level, at the R&D Engineer 4 level you will be expected to work with program and line management to develop and execute strategic plans aimed at improving overall engineering capabilities for the Group. Serve as a technical mentor to early- and mid-career staff and represent line and/or program management to external stakeholders as needed.
What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Engineering Experience

Previous system engineering and/or operational experience is required. Direct experience with one or more of the following:
  • Demonstrated experience with one or more of the following areas: engineering design, development, qualification, assembly/production, or testing.
  • Component development, fabrication, and production
  • Developing system- through component-level requirements and assuring adherence to requirements
  • Component- or system-level surveillance activities
  • Thorough experience with engineering authorization and document management systems
  • Project leadership experience with record of successfully meeting defined deliverables and milestones

• Demonstrated experience participating in and supporting complicated technical projects (e.g., Product Realization Team (PRT) or SubPRT product development activities, product test qualification activities).

Collaboration/Teaming/Communication
  • Excellent organizational skills and the ability to meet schedule and deliverables for multiple concurrent projects with a range of priorities
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must have the ability to communicate effectively to coordinate systems engineering activities. If selected for an interview, the candidate will be asked to give a presentation and provide a technical writing sample.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with nominal supervision, as well as part of a team in a multi-disciplinary environment, and to interact effectively with a variety of organizations
  • Demonstrated experience successfully leading complicated technical projects or with highly complex, system-level integrated experiments.
  • Understanding of project management principles with experience in the development and implementation of engineering projects.

Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 4:

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
  • Extensive experience with successfully leading complicated technical projects (e.g., Product Realization Team (PRT) or SubPRT product development activities, product test qualification activities).
  • Advanced knowledge of systems engineering and requirements management principles and processes
  • Exceptional skills demonstrated in the following areas: problem solving, conflict resolution, and customer and stakeholder interactions

Education/Experience at the R&D Engineer 3:

R&D Engineer 3: Position requires a master's degree in engineering from an ABET accredited institution, and 6 years of relevant experience, or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at the R&D Engineer 4:

R&D Engineer 4: Position requires a master's degree in engineering from an ABET accredited institution, and 12 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Basic knowledge of nuclear weapons and the U.S. Stockpile; especially the W76
  • Familiarity with relevant classification guidance and demonstrated commitment to assuring the security of classified information
  • Demonstrated experience with one or more of the following: nuclear weapon design, development, qualification, certification, assembly/production, and surveillance
  • Experience with the Phase 6.X process and DPBPS requirements
  • Advanced knowledge and experience with product design engineering phases to include Development Engineering (Conceptual and Baseline Design) and Production Engineering
  • Product shock and vibration test experience
  • Advanced knowledge of systems engineering principles or experience with requirements management
  • Project management training and/or prior experience with project management tools
  • Active Q clearance, or the ability to obtain an Active Q clearance
  • An advanced degree may be preferred at this level


Additional Details

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 one year.

Note to Applicants: To be considered for the position please submit your application along with your resume, and cover letter.




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.

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.