R&D Engineer 4

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. We are confident that you will find the PSD Division a dynamic and rewarding place to work. 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.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that Quality requirements are effectively identified and implemented internally and externally.
• Develop and implement metrics, statistical process control charts, and production data sources.
• Lead and document Failure Mode Effects Analysis, Fault Tree Analysis, Root Cause Analysis, and problem analysis.
• Develop, coach, and lead continuous improvement projects.
• Support production and technical readiness reviews.
• Develop and implement trend analysis processes and drive yield improvement.
• Implement strategic initiatives designed to drive long term improvement to Quality metrics, including cost of poor quality and non-conformances.
• Develop partnerships with senior site leaders, program managers, product managers, and engineering functions to define steps necessary to implement continuous improvement strategies for successful mission execution.
• Perform process walks and use metrics to drive continuous improvements across programs.
• Support internal and external audits to assess compliance with quality management system standards.
• Set direction and goals for well-defined tasks involving more than one person.
• Analyze task within a project and define deliverables at task level.
• Lead specific project tasks to meet scope, schedule and budget.
• Actively participate in professional societies, National Nuclear Security Administration/Department of Energy complex interactions, special assignments.
• May participate in external working groups and/or assist in organizing meetings.
• Provide peer review of the work of others across organizations or disciplines.
• Develop mentoring skills to mentor peers and junior staff in technical and professional growth.
• Maintain state-of-the-art technical expertise and knowledge within discipline and develop new skills in related disciplines.
• Foster a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

Requirements

• Advanced experience in manufacturing and/or reliability engineering, statistical process control, data acquisition, data analysis, and solution implementation.
• Expert-level proficiency in manufacturing process development.
• Familiarity with process modeling.
• Comprehensive knowledge of configuration management principles and practices.
• Familiarity with AS9100 Quality Management Systems.
• Extensive experience in project development, reporting, and management.
• Application of advanced design, development, evaluation, and quality assurance techniques for complex engineering projects.
• Prominent experience driving cross-functional teams.
• Active Q clearance and participation in the Human Reliability Program (HRP).

Qualifications

• 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.
• A Ph.D. may be preferred.

Desired Qualifications

• 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).
• Leverage in Lean Six Sigma.
• Manufacturing metricsUnderstanding of machine dynamics and kinematics.
• Background in CNC programming, additive manufacturing, or custom tooling design.
• Machining process optimization.
• Materials science characterization and analysis.

Pay

This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, 712.11. These requirements include on going drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

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.

Benefits

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide networkDental and vision insuranceFree basic life and disability insurancePaid childbirth and parental leaveAward-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)Learning opportunities and tuition assistanceFlexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)Onsite gyms and wellness programsExtensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)