Weapons Test Scientist (Scientist 2/3)

About the role

This position will be filled at either the Scientist 2 or Scientist 3 level depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate. The Weapons 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.

Responsibilities

• Support the planning and execution of development, qualification, surveillance, or validation experiments.
• Develop test objectives, requirements, procedures, and technical documentation.
• Carefully coordinate activities across multiple organizations to ensure successful test execution.
• Participate in experiment design, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Communicate technical status and results to customers, stakeholders, and team members.
• Contribute to project planning, scheduling, and resource coordination.

Requirements

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience applying scientific principles to experimental design, testing, analysis, or validation activities.
• Experience planning, conducting, or supporting laboratory, field, engineering, or physics-based experiments.
• Ability to analyze complex technical problems and develop practical solutions.
• Experience interpreting and communicating scientific or technical data.
• Understanding of systems-level thinking and the integration of multidisciplinary technical activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience preparing technical reports, presentations, publications, or formal documentation.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to audiences with varying levels of expertise.
• Experience collaborating with customers, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience coordinating activities across multiple organizations or technical disciplines.
• Ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining project objectives and schedules.
• Commitment to safety, security, quality, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

Education/Experience at Scientist 2 level:

• A Bachelor's degree in a STEM field from an accredited college and university and 4 years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at Scientist 3 level:

• A Master's degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 6 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Skills

Desired Qualifications:

• Active DOE Q Clearance.
• Experience with experimental design, testing, validation, or qualification programs.
• Knowledge of systems engineering principles and lifecycle processes.
• Experience working in national security, defense, aerospace, weapons, or related technical programs.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Familiarity with LANL Design Agency Quality (DAQ) requirements.
• Experience developing technical requirements and test plans.
• Experience with data analysis, uncertainty quantification, or modeling and simulation.
• Experience working in classified environments.
• Experience mentoring junior staff, postdoctoral researchers, or students.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and methodologies.
• Experience supporting field tests, large-scale experiments, or complex technical operations.

Benefits

The Laboratory offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 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

Scientist 2: $106,400 - $176,000
Scientist 3: $128,000 - $215,900

Schedule

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