R&D Engineer 2/3

This position is open for external candidates only and will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 or R&D Engineer 3 level, depending on qualifications and experience. Additional responsibilities apply at the higher level.

About the role

Located in northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is the nation's premier plutonium center of excellence. We are a leader in safeguarding the U.S. nuclear stockpile while pushing the frontiers of science and technology across national security, space exploration, geophysics, renewable energy, supercomputing, medicine, and nanotechnology. The Pit Technologies (PT) Division, part of the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP), delivers world-class plutonium pit-related products and services. The PT Division ensures high-consequence manufacturing operations meet rigorous compliance, safety, and quality standards.

As part of the PT-2 Machining Group, you will contribute expertise in precision machining and mechanical engineering to support national security objectives. You will design, develop, and qualify critical components for nuclear weapons systems and experimental platforms in a high-tech, secure, and mission-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical components, tooling, and fixtures for CNC machining, EDM, turning, drilling, and other advanced manufacturing processes.
• Support the fabrication and handling of plutonium and other actinides in a glovebox and hazardous material environment.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with machinists, technologists, project managers, and scientists.
• Lead and participate in hazard analyses, readiness reviews, and quality assurance activities.
• Troubleshoot and maintain complex machinery and integrate new equipment and capabilities into the manufacturing floor.
• Optimize manufacturing processes to improve yield, reduce cycle time, and enhance throughput.

R&D Engineer 2

• Engage in hands-on mechanical design and fabrication support.
• Contribute to the development and integration of manufacturing processes.
• Solve complex problems with innovative engineering solutions.

R&D Engineer 3

In addition to the responsibilities at the lower level, a candidate selected at this level will:

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering efforts and guide high-rigor mechanical system development.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in design, analysis (including stress analysis and tolerance stack-ups), and process integration.
• Mentor junior engineers and influence project strategy.
• Represent LANL in internal and external technical collaborations.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in an engineering discipline.
• Comprehensive knowledge of designing, planning, and executing research and development projects.
• Experience with CNC machine tools, inspection equipment, or experience in a high-precision environment.
• Familiarity working with hazardous materials (e.g., radioactive, pyrophoric, or toxic substances).
• Strong troubleshooting skills.
• Awareness of 3D CAD/CAM software (e.g., Creo, SolidWorks) and ASME Y14.5 GD&T.
• Knowledge of machining operations.
• Experience with basic inspection and metrology tools (e.g., calipers, micrometers).
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills in multidisciplinary environments.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a Q clearance.

Additional requirements for R&D Engineer 3

• Thorough knowledge of and experience in engineering disciplines.
• Excellent project management skills, including the ability to plan and execute R&D projects.
• Demonstrated leadership in engineering design and manufacturing integration.
• Track record of leading technical projects with defined scope, schedule, and deliverables.
• Experience in mentoring and technical leadership.
• Innovation in design, manufacturing methods, or systems engineering.
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills.

Qualifications

R&D Engineer 2

Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited institution and 4 years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

R&D Engineer 3

Master's degree in engineering from an accredited institution and 6 years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Ph.D. may be preferred at this level.

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

Desired Qualifications

• Active Q clearance and participation in the Human Reliability Program (HRP).
• Experience working in nuclear or radiological environments and glovebox operations.
• Experience leading process hazard analyses and audit activities.
• Familiarity with NQA-1 or equivalent quality assurance frameworks.
• Experience in mechanical design and drafting, machine design.
• Use of simulation tools (ANSYS, COMSOL) for thermal or mechanical analysis.
• Certification in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Lean Six Sigma.
• Manufacturing metrics.
• Understanding of machine dynamics and kinematics.
• Background in CNC programming, additive manufacturing, or custom tooling design.
• Machining process optimization.
• Materials science characterization and analysis.

Schedule

This position requires 24/7 coverage and may require working a rotating shift schedule that includes nights and weekends.

Pay

• R&D Engineer 2: $106,400 - $176,000
• R&D Engineer 3: $128,000 - $215,900

Work Location

The work location for this position is onsite in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Benefits

• 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).

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 are prohibited from accessing facilities that support national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, including Los Alamos National Laboratory.