Test Lead/Device Engineer (R&D Engineer 1)

About the role

The Weapons Engineering Verification and Validation Division (V-Division) ensures that weapon designs meet all requirements and perform as intended. The division verifies design compliance and validates performance through a combination of investigations, qualification tests, and evaluations. This mission is accomplished through close collaboration with organizations across the Weapons Engineering Directorate and the broader Nuclear Security Enterprise. V-Division carries out its work through assembly, non-destructive evaluation, test design and planning, test execution, and data analysis, all aimed at confirming the reliability and effectiveness of weapon systems. The Weapons Test Execution Group (V-21) serves as the laboratory's center of excellence for complex weapon experimentation and system-level testing. V-21 is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing experiments ranging from component-level evaluations to full-scale integrated tests. These activities support weapon development, qualification, surveillance, stockpile assessment, and future modernization efforts. The group routinely collaborates with engineering, physics, manufacturing, and operations organizations across Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the Nevada National Security Site, and other national security partners. This position may be assigned to one of four V-21 teams: Flight Systems Team - Supports qualification, development, and surveillance testing of weapon flight systems and associated environments; Material Compatibility - Supports development, qualification, and surveillance testing to evaluate material compatibility, aging, and performance in weapon systems and relevant environments; Stockpile Survivability Team - Evaluates system performance and survivability under demanding mechanical, thermal, and operational environments; Physics Validation Team - Supports integrated weapon experiments, hydrodynamic testing, and other experimental programs that provide critical validation data for stockpile stewardship. As a Test Lead/Device Engineer, you will help develop, plan, execute, and analyze experiments that provide essential data supporting the nation's nuclear deterrent. You will work closely with interdisciplinary teams to define test objectives, coordinate resources, evaluate technical requirements, execute complex tests, and communicate results to customers and stakeholders. This role offers unique opportunities to engage in challenging national security work while developing expertise across multiple scientific and engineering disciplines. The work location is onsite in Los Alamos, NM.

• Assist in the planning of design, testing, and analysis or experiments to support weapons verification and validation
• Contribute to the completion of milestones associated with specific projects and directly contribute to the achievement of programmatic objectives
• Take responsibility for understanding tasks and own contributions to deliverables, set direction and goals for assigned tasks, and manage their own assignments
• Assure safety and security compliance, maintain required training, and integrate safety and security into every task, including stopping work if it is unsafe or compromises security

Requirements

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Engineering Foundations: Basic understanding of engineering concepts, principles, and practices, demonstrated through experience in researching, designing, testing, analyzing, verifying, and validating engineering solutions.
• Hands-On Project Experience: Familiarity with analysis or testing in areas such as shock, vibration, fluids, thermal, nuclear, systems, explosives, manufacturing, process, control systems, data acquisition, and data analysis, gained through class projects or similar experiences.
• Design Skills: Basic knowledge of engineering design principles.
• Effective Communication: Proven ability to articulate ideas effectively through both oral and written communication.
• Ability to obtain DOE Q Clearance.
• Education/Experience: 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.

Desired Qualifications:

• Detail-Oriented and Safety-Focused: Dedication to precision and commitment to maintaining a safe work environment.
• Team-Driven Success: Thrive in a collaborative team setting, dedicated to