R&D Engineer 1

This position is open for external candidates only and is located in northern New Mexico at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). LANL is primarily responsible for monitoring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile and conducting advanced research in numerous areas related to national security, including space exploration, geophysics, renewable energy, supercomputing, medicine, and nanotechnology.

About the Role

Welcome to the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP) and the Pit Technologies (PT) Division. The PT Division provides plutonium pit-related products and services of superior quality and value to protect our nation and promote world stability. Employees in this position will interact with multiple organizations to ensure implementation and compliance with Conduct of Engineering, Conduct of Maintenance, Conduct of Operations, Quality, and Safety Management Programs.

Responsibilities

• Apply engineering principles, theories, concepts, and practices to contribute to solutions for a broad range of technical challenges of national importance, including nuclear deterrence and threat reduction.
• Serve as a contributing member of integrated research and development (R&D) teams to address engineering challenges.
• Assist in the research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of engineering and technology solutions in support of R&D and Operations initiatives.
• Learn advanced technologies and analysis techniques employed by the LANL engineering community.
• Adapt to evolving R&D requirements while meeting safety, security, compliance, and schedule imperatives.
• Assist in developing new methods, technologies, and analysis techniques for institutional programs.
• Ensure programmatic objectives through the provision of project management and engineering support to successfully complete milestones.

Requirements

• Engineering Expertise: Beginner to intermediate knowledge of professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, and procedures. Basic knowledge or class project experience with analysis or testing in one or more of the following engineering areas: shock, vibration, fluids, thermal, nuclear, systems, explosives, manufacturing, process, control systems, data acquisition, and data analysis. Demonstrated capability performing a broad range of complex engineering work, including designing or reviewing a complete project, system, or component. Knowledge of manufacturing, system, and component testing operations. Experience developing, codifying, and validating engineering requirements.
• Analytical Skills: Intermediate analytical thinking skills, demonstrated by experience designing and executing experiments or tests, including analysis and interpretation of data. Experience with continuous improvement concepts and tools. Commitment to high quality and timeliness of deliverables.
• Communication and Teamwork: Ability to work independently in high-intensity environments with coworkers representing a variety of technical backgrounds. Ability to express detailed ideas clearly to build understanding, respect, and trust, demonstrated through presentations and publications. Clear oral and written communication skills.

Qualifications

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution related to the occupation combined with 2 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and technical experience directly related to the occupation. Candidates meeting the degree requirement but lacking the two-year experience may be considered for hire through an allowable variance.

DOE O. 426.2 requires a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering or related science, 2 years of job-related experience, and 1 year of nuclear experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in various work environments, including glovebox environments.
• Knowledge or experience working in a manufacturing or production organization requiring implementation of defined manufacturing, testing, and quality requirements.
• Experience working in a nuclear facility.
• Knowledge and experience with system and subsystem qualification testing and/or analysis.
• Experience applying continuous improvement concepts and tools.
• Knowledge of conduct of operations principles.
• Experience performing engineering work using rigorous institutional processes.
• Active Q clearance or equivalent.

Essential Job Functions

• Lifting 30+ pounds
• Reading vision
• Walking
• Climbing stairs
• Climbing ladders

Location

This position will be located in Los Alamos, NM.

Benefits

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with a 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

Due to federal restrictions, citizens of the People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), 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 national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities.

This position requires a Q clearance, which generally requires U.S. citizenship. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation. This position is also subject to the DOE Human Reliability Program, including ongoing drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

New-employment drug testing is required. Although marijuana use is legal in some states, it remains illegal under federal law, and a positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment.