Reality Capture Specialist (LiDAR, Registration, and BIM Modeling)

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a skilled professional to join our Engineering Services (ES) Division as a Reality Capture Specialist within our Weapons Facilities Operations (ES-WFO) Group. This team supports the development of digital representations and technical baseline information for facilities through terrestrial laser scanning and building information modeling. The program focuses on delivering accurate and reliable building data to support operations, planning, and engineering efforts across Laboratory facilities.

About the Role

As a Reality Capture Specialist at the Designer/Drafter 3 level, you will independently perform field scanning, point cloud registration and quality control, and scan-to-BIM activities. You will work directly with engineers, designers, and stakeholders to define project requirements, resolve technical issues, and prepare point cloud, model, and drawing deliverables for complex facility assignments.

This position will be filled at either the Designer/Drafter 3 or 4 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional responsibilities will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Responsibilities

Designer/Drafter 3 ($66,100 - $103,600)

• Plan and perform terrestrial LiDAR scanning using Leica BLK360 and RTC360 systems
• Develop scan plans that address station layout, coverage, line of sight, access, target placement, and control requirements
• Register and process point clouds using Leica Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS and other approved software tools
• Perform QA/QC, including registration review, error evaluation, coverage and completeness checks, file integrity, and validation against project tolerances
• Organize and maintain point cloud data, field notes, metadata, coordinate information, and project records in accordance with established standards
• Prepare point cloud and model deliverables, including E57, RCP/RCS, LGS, Revit models, drawings, and sheets, as required by the project
• Develop or support Revit models at the project-defined Level of Development for architectural, structural, and MEP systems
• Coordinate across disciplines, identify modeling gaps or clashes, and resolve issues with engineers and stakeholders
• Facilitate technical reviews and communicate assumptions, limitations, accuracy, and data quality
• Apply Laboratory drafting, data management, configuration management, safety, and security requirements throughout field and office work

Designer/Drafter 4 ($72,800 - $115,400)

• Serve as a subject matter expert for terrestrial LiDAR, point cloud registration, and scan-to-BIM workflows
• Lead complex or non-routine scanning, registration, modeling, and coordination assignments with minimal direction
• Define and improve technical standards for scan planning, QA/QC, model development, file organization, naming, and final deliverables
• Lead model and design reviews, resolve complex cross-disciplinary issues, and develop technical solutions where established procedures may not exist
• Establish project-specific accuracy, tolerance, and Level of Development strategies in coordination with engineers and customers
• Support cost estimating, scheduling, work planning, and resource strategies for large or complex assignments
• Mentor lower-level designers and technicians and assign or monitor work when designated lead responsibility
• Perform or coordinate advanced model, drawing, and dataset checks to ensure deliverables meet project and Laboratory requirements

Requirements

Minimum Job Requirements

• Demonstrated experience performing terrestrial LiDAR, BIM, AEC, surveying, facilities documentation, or related technical work
• Proficiency with 3D CAD/BIM and point cloud software used to produce models, drawings, layouts, and technical deliverables
• Experience planning and performing field data collection in facility or industrial environments
• Experience registering point clouds and performing technical QA/QC, including error evaluation, coverage, completeness, and tolerance validation
• Working knowledge of Revit modeling and the use of point cloud data to support architectural, structural, and MEP documentation
• Working knowledge of design and drafting principles, technical standards, product/data management, and configuration-controlled workflows
• Ability to define technical objectives, resolve complex data or modeling issues, and complete assignments with minimal direction
• Ability to work directly with engineers, customers, and diverse project teams to clarify scope and deliverables
• Ability to work in both field and office environments and comply with safety, security, and access requirements

Additional Job Requirements for Designer/Drafter 4

• Expert-level experience with high-level 3D parametric CAD/BIM systems, point cloud processing tools, and associated product or data management systems
• Advanced knowledge of LiDAR registration, scan-to-BIM, model coordination, and quality assurance practices for complex facilities
• Advanced understanding of engineering, design, drafting, and industry standards applicable to facility models, drawings, and technical data
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex assignments, establish technical approaches, and develop original solutions to unique problems
• Experience defining modeling, data management, and QA/QC standards that improve efficiency, consistency, and technical quality
• Experience leading design or model reviews, coordinating across disciplines, and resolving compatibility or interface issues
• Ability to mentor lower-level staff and provide work direction when assigned lead responsibility
• Experience supporting project estimates, schedules, work plans, and design strategies

Qualifications

Education/Experience for Designer/Drafter 3

Position requires an Associate's Degree in an Engineering or Technical field and 3 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience for Designer/Drafter 4

Position requires an Associate's Degree in an Engineering or Technical field and 5 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Skills

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with Leica BLK360, RTC360, or BLK2FLY reality capture systems
• Experience with Leica Cyclone FIELD 360 and Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS
• Proficiency with Autodesk Revit and familiarity with ReCap, Navisworks, CloudCompare, or similar tools
• Experience developing or reviewing scan-to-BIM models and working with Level of Development standards
• Knowledge of point cloud accuracy concepts, registration reports, RMSE, survey control, and coordinate systems
• Experience supporting technical baseline, digital twin, or configuration-managed facility data workflows
• Experience with large, complex, industrial, campus, controlled, or secure facilities
• Knowledge of ASME, ANSI, AWS, or related drafting and engineering standards

Work Location

The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos, NM. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location.

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)

Clearance

This position requires a Q clearance. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required.

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.