R&D Engineer 2/3

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 or R&D Engineer 3 level, depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. Additional responsibilities will apply at the higher level.

About the Role

Welcome to the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP) and the Plutonium Supply and Disposition (PSD) Division. The PSD Division is one of 10 divisions in ALDWP. Our employees are the most valuable asset within ALDWP and the Laboratory as a whole. The PSD Division provides plutonium pit related products and services of superior quality and value to protect our nation and promote world stability.

Located in northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (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. Additionally, it is a center for research in a wide range of scientific disciplines, including space exploration, geophysics, renewable energy, supercomputing, medicine, and nanotechnology.

As part of the PSD Division, you will contribute your 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

$106,400-$176,000

• Serve as a contributing member of the R&D and Operations teams to address engineering challenges.
• Contribute at a fully functioning level to the research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of engineering and technology solutions in support of R&D and Operations initiatives.
• Develop 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.
• Mentor early career staff, postdocs, and students.
• Independently present specific aspects of engineering assignments at project meetings.
• Adapt to evolving R&D requirements while meeting safety, security, compliance, and schedule imperatives.

R&D Engineer 3

$128,000-$215,900

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

• Lead the research, design, and testing of engineering and technology solutions in support of R&D initiatives.
• Apply broad and diversified knowledge of engineering principles to implement sound engineering practices to achieve organizational objectives.
• Review Technical Procedures to ensure work is going to be executed safely and securely and product requirements.
• 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.
• Active Q clearance and participation in the Human Reliability Program (HRP).
• U.S. citizenship.

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

• 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

Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at higher 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.

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 Skills

• 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 may require 24/7 coverage, which could involve working a shift/weekend schedule. Employees may be eligible for the shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift/weekend assignments are at the discretion of the manager.

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.

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).

Pay

R&D Engineer 2: $106,400-$176,000

R&D Engineer 3: $128,000-$215,900

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 the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.