R&D Mechanical/Structural Analyst (R&D Engineer 3/4)
- Req. Number: IRC143578
- Organization : J-2Dynamic Structure Design and Engineering
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Recruiter Name: Nyenhuis, Niko Alexander
- Recruiter Email: nnyenhuis@lanl.gov
What You Will Do
The Dynamic Structure, Design, & Engineering (J-2) Group is a core component of Los Alamos National Laboratory's Integrated Weapons Experiments (J) Division. The J-2 Analysis Team's mission is to provide high-fidelity engineering analyses for the design, evaluation, and certification of shock and fragment-loaded systems and structures that are critical to the nation's Stockpile Stewardship and Modernization efforts.
R&D Engineer 3 ($128,000 - $215,900)
In this role, the selected candidate will be a technical resource who translates complex physics-based phenomena into robust, code-compliant engineering solutions. Leveraging state-of-the-art finite element (FEM) tools, advanced fatigue and fracture mechanics methodologies, and rigorous fitness-for-service (FFS) assessments, the selected candidate will develop and execute analytical workflows that underpin design decisions, risk assessments, and life extension strategies for impulsively loaded vessels and hardware.
Work at this level is performed with appropriate guidance and collaboration, including engagement with senior engineers and subject matter experts to ensure technical quality, consistency, and alignment with established methodologies.
R&D Engineer 4 ($153,600 - $266,500)
In addition to the responsibilities outlined at Level 3, a candidate selected at this level will be expected to lead and advance engineering rigor and method development across the J-2 Analysis Team. This includes establishing and maintaining best practice standards, developing and enforcing verification and validation (V&V) protocols, and ensuring high-quality technical documentation.
The candidate will independently lead complex or high-consequence analyses, exercising sound technical judgment in the absence of prescribed methods or precedents. They will lead peer reviews, provide technical mentorship to junior analysts, and serve as a key resource for challenging analytical efforts.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Additional Job Requirements for the R&D Engineer 4 level:
Education/Experience at the 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. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.
Education/Experience at the 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. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.
Desired Qualifications:
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Ability to speak, ability to discriminate speech, ability to hear in a normal range (500 to 3000 htz), Sitting, Standing, Walking, Typing or keyboarding, Lifting 5-10 pounds, Carrying 5-10 pounds.
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.
426.2A: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2A, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.
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.
The Dynamic Structure, Design, & Engineering (J-2) Group is a core component of Los Alamos National Laboratory's Integrated Weapons Experiments (J) Division. The J-2 Analysis Team's mission is to provide high-fidelity engineering analyses for the design, evaluation, and certification of shock and fragment-loaded systems and structures that are critical to the nation's Stockpile Stewardship and Modernization efforts.
R&D Engineer 3 ($128,000 - $215,900)
In this role, the selected candidate will be a technical resource who translates complex physics-based phenomena into robust, code-compliant engineering solutions. Leveraging state-of-the-art finite element (FEM) tools, advanced fatigue and fracture mechanics methodologies, and rigorous fitness-for-service (FFS) assessments, the selected candidate will develop and execute analytical workflows that underpin design decisions, risk assessments, and life extension strategies for impulsively loaded vessels and hardware.
Work at this level is performed with appropriate guidance and collaboration, including engagement with senior engineers and subject matter experts to ensure technical quality, consistency, and alignment with established methodologies.
R&D Engineer 4 ($153,600 - $266,500)
In addition to the responsibilities outlined at Level 3, a candidate selected at this level will be expected to lead and advance engineering rigor and method development across the J-2 Analysis Team. This includes establishing and maintaining best practice standards, developing and enforcing verification and validation (V&V) protocols, and ensuring high-quality technical documentation.
The candidate will independently lead complex or high-consequence analyses, exercising sound technical judgment in the absence of prescribed methods or precedents. They will lead peer reviews, provide technical mentorship to junior analysts, and serve as a key resource for challenging analytical efforts.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Engineering: In this role the analyst applies high fidelity finite element (FEA) techniques to evaluate dynamically loaded structures and to conduct fitness for service (linear-elastic fatigue crack growth) assessments of impulsively loaded vessels and components. The candidate must have hands on experience with FEM packages (e.g., ABAQUS, ANSYS, LS DYNA) for dynamic-explicit modeling. Background in fatigue, fracture mechanics, and life prediction methods along with familiarity with the relevant consensus codes-particularly ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code SectionVIII, Division3 and API579 Fitness for Service-is highly desired.
- Design: Utilization of solid model geometry from CAD packages such as SolidWorks or CREO in the preparation of FEA models, meshes, and design iterations under appropriate boundary conditions, material models, and dynamic loading cases. The analyst translates designs into robust analysis models to produce clear analytical reports and visualizations that convey design functionality and compliance with requirements to broad audiences.
- Communication Skills: The analyst must be able to present complex technical issues - both verbally and in written form - to stakeholders with varied technical backgrounds, including peers, program managers, functional managers, and external customers. The focus is on delivering concise technical briefs, detailed analysis reports, and risk-based recommendations that support program-level decision making.
Additional Job Requirements for the R&D Engineer 4 level:
- Engineering and Technical Leadership: At the R&D Engineer4 level the analyst brings advanced knowledge and a proven record of designing, planning, and executing R&D projects that extend the state-of-the-art in analysis of dynamic, impulsive loading, high-rate material behavior, and multi-physics coupling. The selected candidate will help develop and institutionalize group-wide technical requirements, specifications, analysis plans, reports, and standard operating procedures for FEM, fatigue, fracture, and FFS work, ensuring consistency across all J-2 projects. The selected candidate should be comfortable interpreting consensus codes such as ASMEBPVCSectionVIII, Division3 as they apply to specific vessel and impulsively loaded structure applications. The role also includes supporting the development of technical standards, and policy documents that shape group engineering practices for impulsively loaded structures and vessel assessments.
Education/Experience at the 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. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.
Education/Experience at the 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. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.
Desired Qualifications:
- Engineering design, analysis, and testing (or some combination thereof) of statically and dynamically loaded structures, systems, and components (small, medium, and large scale).
- Background in low and high cycle fatigue, fracture mechanics, and life prediction methods
- Record of contributing to or authoring engineering and/or scientific reports and publications.
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Ability to speak, ability to discriminate speech, ability to hear in a normal range (500 to 3000 htz), Sitting, Standing, Walking, Typing or keyboarding, Lifting 5-10 pounds, Carrying 5-10 pounds.
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.
426.2A: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2A, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.
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.
