What You Will Do
The Detonation Science and Technology Group (Q-6) serves the Laboratory and the Nation providing the knowledge base and component design responsibilities for the Nuclear Weapons Program and other critical national security areas. The Group's capabilities include design engineering for nuclear weapon detonators and detonator cable assemblies, design, fabrication, qualification, and installation of test fire control systems, pulse power engineering, advanced detonator design and testing, and applied problem solving. Additional capabilities include expertise in the detonation science and physics of detonator energetic materials, and engineering responsibility for the cradle to grave care of the detonators and detonator cable assemblies used by Los Alamos National Laboratory. Q-6 is also responsible for engineering, fabricating, or acquiring precision high explosives detonators for a diverse R&D customer base to meet present and future national security needs in a safe, secure, and efficient manner.
Q-6 is offering an exciting opportunity to be a part of the Denotation Science and Technology Group. The Group is seeking an early-level R&D Engineer. You will work closely with a diverse group of engineers, technologists and technicians on initiation train design, high explosive detonator testing, experiment fielding, and high voltage and laser operations to support experiments. You will work in areas involving high consequences for safety that might be in the form of chemicals, high explosives, high-power lasers, and high-energy devices.
The successful candidate will work within the Future Systems Innovation and Development or W93 Detonator Cable Assembly Development and Realization teams. You will be responsible for the development, design, testing, and qualification of next generation initiation systems, diagnostic technologies, and test capabilities in support of national security efforts. In these teams you will gain experience in small and large scale experiment design and fielding, the Phase X process, and initiation train design.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
R&D Engineer 2 ($104,100 - $172,200)
Successful applicants will perform the following duties in this position:
Engineering Knowledge
Proven experience in electrical, chemical, optical, or mechanical engineering or STEM scientific disciplines. Candidates must have the ability to read and interpret electrical engineering design drawings. Knowledge of and experience in designing, planning, and executing designs for fabrication and testing of products, and using statistical analysis techniques. Experience with computer aid design tools such as Altium or other ECAD tools. Experience with computer programming languages; experience with Matlab, C/C++, or python preferred. Knowledge of application of scientific methods and engineering discipline-relevant standards. Knowledge of and experience with simulation tools such as COMSOL, PSPICE, or other relevant modeling software.
Communication and Teamwork
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to interact effectively with all levels of internal and external peers, customers, and stakeholders. Ability to effectively accomplish work without considerable direction; expect significant latitude in determining objectives of assignments, and determine the methods and procedures needed for new assignments
Education/Experience for R&D Engineer 2: 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.
Desired Qualifications:
Knowledge and experience with execution of the NNSA Phase X Process and Defense Programs Business Process System (DPBPS) requirements
Knowledge and experience in electrical board design and fabrication
Proficiency with ECAD such as Altium
Knowledge and experience with pulsed powered electrical systems
Experience with python, MATLAB, C, or other coding/modeling software
Know-how to develop design of experiments for material and component studies; execute and interpret the results of such
Ability to lead and execute test series in support of component validation efforts
Demonstrated experience in secure work environment or working with sensitive or classified information
Active Q clearance, which normally requires US citizenship
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.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Note to Applicants:
For full consideration, in addition to a resume, please submit a comprehensive cover letter addressing your qualifications against the minimum and desired skills requirements is required.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of 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.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
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)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.
