R&D Engineer 4

What You Will Do

The Advanced Engineering Analysis (AEA) Group, W-13, seeks a motivated, experienced analyst to support LANL's core mission. W-13 provides expertise in computational engineering analysis including modeling & simulation, material models, post processing, and interpretation of outputs to support customers and stakeholders with an emphasis on national security challenges. The expertise in W-13 spans structural solid mechanics, structural dynamics, heat transfer, mechanics of materials, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, computational workflow, and radiation transport.

We seek an analyst with leadership experience in a small to mid-size team setting and expertise in one or more of the following areas: 1) structural mechanics/dynamics, 2) finite element modeling/simulation, 3) material constitutive modeling, 4) computer science, or 5) engineering VVUQ in support of the LANL weapons program. The successful candidate will also have a working knowledge of the weapons program and the NNSA mission.

This position will be filled at the R&D Engineer 4 level.
R&D Engineer 4 $146,800 - $254,700
You will lead the development, application, maintenance, and validation of complex engineering models, direct junior staff (formally and informally) in relevant supporting tasks, and be a resource for expertise across the division. You will help to define and execute strategic plans in support of W-13 management and W-DO.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Engineering Expertise: A documented record of extensive technical achievement in a relevant engineering discipline such as mechanical, structural, civil, computer engineering, or aerospace; substantial experience in engineering analysis at an appropriate level of fidelity ranging from hand calculations to complex, system-level modeling; experience with FEA preprocessors such as Cubit and FEA software such as Abaqus or Ansys; the ability to assess and communicate thermal and structural analysis simulation results to high level managers and customers.

Computational Skills: Ten or more years experience with the development and/or application of computational engineering methods and tools, substantial experience with mesh generation, constitutive models and their application, boundary condition definition, contact interactions, and/or post-processing practices; use of open-source programming languages and libraries; data management and model repositories.

Technical Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading engineering analysis teams, integrating and coordinating interdisciplinary work with high profile programs, and working with customers and other stakeholders as the senior technical expert to define analysis tasks and division (or higher) level goals. A strong commitment to presiding over peer review processes.

Communication and Teamwork: Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills in technical reports and presentations; a lengthy track record of meeting deliverable deadlines, both independently and as part of a team; experience leading teams of technical staff members and mentoring junior staff and students. Extensive experience proposing relevant analyses and scope required for a requested project and evaluating the validity of proposals.

Education: 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. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent

  • Extensive experience in one or more of the following
  • Weapons physics
  • Weapons engineering
  • Constitutive modelling
  • Verification and validation of complex models
  • Modern programming languages (e.g., Python, Matlab, C++)
  • Modern software development tools (e.g., Sphinx, GitLab, Confluence, etc.) and practices (unit testing, documentation, etc.)
  • Data analysis
  • Parallel computing
  • Computational workflow automation

  • Error and uncertainty analysis


Note to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must submit a resume and comprehensive cover letter that specifically addresses each of the requirements. Some travel may be required. This is a 100 % on-site position.

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.

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 (paid sick, vacation, 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.