R&D Engineer 3/4 | Los Alamos, NM | Los Alamos National Laboratory

R&D Engineer 3/4

What You Will Do
This position will be filled at the R&D Engineer 3 or R&D Engineer 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.

The Safeguards Science and Technology Group (NEN-1) is seeking a highly motivated engineer to join a mission-driven team of scientists, engineers, and students specializing in rapid prototype development and advancing technology readiness levels to deliver strategic support for LANL's critical programs. We bring together expertise in mechanical and electrical/electronic design as well as robotics, leveraging Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components enhanced with custom modifications to ensure mission success under tight timelines. Our work centers on two primary pillars: 1) Developing cutting-edge automated systems to optimize transuranic waste drum storage and retrieval while improving efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness; and 2) Pioneering robotic solutions (e.g. Spot Robots) to reduce worker exposure, increase productivity, and expand LANL's operational capabilities.

We are seeking a designer to oversee and lead the design of rapid prototypes and experimental systems, guiding projects from concept to tested solution in accelerated timeframes in close collaboration with a variety of staff and students. This position offers the opportunity to shape cutting-edge designs, mentor the next generation of engineers, and make a direct impact on LANL's mission.
What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:


R&D Engineer 3 ($125,200 - 211,200)
  • Design Experience: Thorough experience in Solid Works and familiarity with one or more 3D CAD programs such as AutoCAD, Unigraphics, etc. In-depth understanding of requirements documents and proven ability to translate specifications into practical designs.
  • Engineering Skills: Reading and generating engineering drawings for manufacturing processes. Ability to apply and interpret, on a broad basis, specialized, state-of-the-art engineering and scientific principles and techniques to provide creative solutions for a diverse range of complex problems.
  • Leadership & Collaboration: Proven team player with the ability to lead the research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of novel engineering and technology solutions in support of R&D initiatives. Ability to communicate and work with shop level operations. Has the ability to build lasting working relationships across diverse individuals and teams across LANL.
  • Work Ethic & Results: Demonstrated ability to be punctual, reliable, and adaptable, consistently delivering projects on schedule, under budget, and with high quality.
  • Creative Problem Solving: Develops innovative advanced concepts, theories, methods, techniques and approaches to address specialized problems defined by the customer.
  • Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills; approachable, collaborative, and effective at fostering positive and productive team relationships.
  • Strong mentoring skills: Demonstrated ability to actively mentor and train junior staff.
  • Safety practices: Demonstrated ability to work safely and securely, follow procedural documents and institutional safety standards, and incorporate safety requirements in system design.
  • Publications: Leads the development of technical products such as journal papers, reports, presentations, and concept papers.

R&D Engineer 4 ($150,300 - $260,800

In addition to what is outlined for the R&D Engineer 3 position, the R&D Engineer 4 will be expected to have:
  • Advanced level experience in Solid works and one or more other 3D CAD programs.
  • The candidate will also have advanced technical expertise in an area of specialization or expertise crossing several technical areas, and have demonstrated skills in leading large-scale technical projects or leading technical decision-making at a major project level.
Education/Experience at R&D Engineer 3 level: 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.

Education/Experience at R&D Engineer 4 level: 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:
  • Demonstrated track record of understanding, applying, and implementing LANL policies and procedures.
  • List of publications of designs and experiments peer reviewed and non-peer reviewed, that the individual has authored or co-authored, intellectual property requests filed, and presentations given in front of LANL and non LANL audience.
  • Capability to organize and execute prototype demonstrations and organizing of trade show displays and booths.
  • Energized Electrical Worker or the ability to become qualified as an energized electrical worker and experience.

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)
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. 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.