What You Will Do
At Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), we solve national security challenges through scientific excellence! Waste Management (WM) Waste Generator Services group (WGS) is looking for a highly motivated engineer to lead waste data analytics and process improvements in support of institutional acceptable knowledge, characterization, and data science initiatives. The selected candidate will support LANL waste generators by serving as the process engineer expert on radioactive low-level waste, chemical regulated and unregulated waste and the application of scientific principles under the scientific method to address technical problems; develop novel techniques or principles; analyze data or outcomes as it relates to issues such as chemical compatibility of waste.
Primary duties at the Engineer 2 level may include but are not limited to:
Adheres to scientific policies, programs, procedures and practices.
Participates in technical analyses and reviews of characterization of data collected from a broad range of waste characterization techniques to develop, evaluate and /or support solutions to waste management problems.
Builds robust data models to track inventory, waste characterization, aging reports, and treatment/disposal metrics.
Utilizing scientific methods, participates in the investigation of the forensic origins of waste materials, researching historical records and information.
Performs and participates in internal, programmatic and regulatory audits and assessments.
Authors and review technical documents including, policy, procedure, technical manuals, waste profiles, characterization reports, regulatory compliance packages, and audit responses.
Operates as both waste SMEs and chemical/nuclear SMEs bridge operational, regulatory, and scientific domains.
Provides expert consultation to engineering teams, Waste Management Coordinators (WMCs), and facility managers, and plays a key role in cross-functional teams addressing emergent issues.
Mentors junior WMCs, WMTs and students in technical and professional growth.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Technical Knowledge:
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in one or more technical R&D discipline. Broad experience in a relevant technical discipline (chemistry, nuclear engineering, waste management or nuclear materials management) at a DOE waste - generating/processing site. Demonstrated scientific/engineering knowledge and successful experience to monitor and /or manage the accumulation, processing, movement, storage or measurement of regulated waste.
Collaboration:
Demonstrated ability to work with multiple levels of internal and external organizations and personnel.
Communication:
Demonstrated success in formulating and presenting scientific results to technical audiences and readerships.
Technical Leadership:
Ability to mentor junior staff, peers, and students.
Education/Experience: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university and a minimum of 3 years practical work experience to the degree necessary to perform the responsibilities outlined above. Current registration as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) is highly desirable.
Desired Qualifications:
Federal and State Regulations:
Experience working within LANL policies and procedures. Familiarity or experience working in support of hazardous waste management and/or LANL R&D facilities. Knowledge and experience with federal and state environmental and waste management regulations, policies, and procedures including but not limited to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments, Hazardous Waste Packaging and Transportation, and Radioactive Materials Shipping. Demonstrated experience making waste determination that ensure accurate RCRA designation. Experience using waste management databases such as Waste Characterization and Tracking System (WCATS).
Experience in programming software including but not limited to: Python, VBA, and other languages to build data models.
Additional Education and Certifications:
Advanced degree in a related field and certification and experience as an Advanced Hazardous Materials Radioactive Materials, and Mixed Waste Shipper as per 49 CFR requirements.
Work Environment: General work environment may include but is not limited to: outdoors, working alone, working extended shifts, operation of motor vehicles, R&D laboratory settings with corresponding chemicals and hazards.
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: Application Deadline: October **, 2025 (end of business day)
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 maternity 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 (https://directives.nnsa.doe.gov/supplemental-directive/sd-0206-0002) . 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 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-BOrder-A/@Aimages/file) 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 Policy P701 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) 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.
