What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 or R&D Engineer 3 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Do you want to be part of an energetic, high performing team; working on challenges and deliverables that ensure national security? Los Alamos National Laboratory is a multidisciplinary research institution with the brightest minds in the world and unparalleled technology and equipment. Production Agency Quality ensures that all products in the Weapons Production Directorate meet or exceed all quality requirements.

R&D Engineer 3 ($122,300 - $206,300)

You will contribute to engineering R&D activities and operations in support of inspection engineering. This will include assisting in the completion of milestones on multiple projects and programmatic objectives related to inspection development and design as well as quality evidence capture. You will be expected to develop robust inspection processes; to develop Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) fixtures and programs to meet quality control standards; make suggestions regarding procedures, standards and equipment to facilitate work and maintain product quality. You may also be expected to apply knowledge of 3-D design and modeling capabilities. You will initiate, develop and maintain inspection engineering activities and processes with specific engineering responsibilities in the areas of inspection process development and operations. You will be expected to develop solutions to complex problems, design and implement new technologies, improve inspection cycle times, and maximize production yield rates. Work will be expected to be accomplished without considerable direction; you can expect significant latitude in determining objectives of assignments, identifying and implementing emerging technologies, and development of technical approaches.

R&D Engineer 4 ($146,800 - $254,700)

You will engineer, initiate, and maintain inspection engineering activities and processes as related to plutonium manufacturing with specific engineering responsibilities in the areas of inspection process development and operations. Primary work scope supports inspection and development for the Production Quality Engineering and Inspection group who is responsible for the testing and inspection of War Reserve components for the U.S. strategic nuclear weapons program. You will be expected to develop solutions to complex problems, design and implement new technologies, improve inspection cycle times, and maximize production yield rates. You will be expected to accomplish work without considerable direction; you can expect significant latitude in determining objectives of assignments, identifying and implementing emerging technologies, and development of technical approaches.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Technical Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of and experience in designing, planning, and executing projects associated with inspection (e.g. CMMs, laser interferometers, optical measurement techniques, and open setup methodologies).

• Manufacturing Experience: Thorough knowledge of and experience working in a manufacturing environment such a production plant or quality laboratory.
• Manufacturing Development: Experience developing manufacturing processes including interpreting engineering blueprints, sketches, specifications and related data, specifying manufacturing equipment to meet design requirements, characterizing process variables, and maintaining process performance.
• Industry Standards: Thorough knowledge of industry standards such as ASME, ASTM, ISO, etc.
• Software: Thorough knowledge of various software packages such as PTC CREO, Solidworks, Minitab, MATLAB, MS Suite (i.e., EXCEL, WORD, ONE NOTE, etc.)
• Measurement and Testing Systems: Advanced technical knowledge and ability to provide technical leadership on manufacturing and testing systems (e.g. CMMs, laser interferometers, optical measurement techniques, and open setup methodologies).

In addition to having advanced knowledge of the R&D Engineer 3 requirements, the R&D Engineer 4 qualification requires:

• Inspection Experience: Advanced experience developing inspection processes including specifying production equipment, developing process tolerances, characterizing process variables, developing designing fixturing, developing procedures, and maintaining statistical process performance. Advanced technical knowledge and ability to provide technical leadership on manufacturing and testing systems (e.g. CMMs, laser interferometers, o0ptical measurements techniques, and open setup methodologies).
• Leadership Skills: Advanced ability to provide technical leadership on manufacturing operations and testing (e.g. multi-component assemblies, characterization, and multi-parameter testing).

Education/Experience R&D Eng. 3: Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution and 6 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience R&D Eng. 4: Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution and 12 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.
Order DOE 426.2: Requires a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering or related science, 2 years of job related experience, and 1 year of Nuclear Experience.

Desired Qualifications:

• Metrology Knowledge: Thorough use of metrology and statistical methods to help diagnose and correct improper quality control practices.
• Inspection Equipment: Thorough experience using CMMs, optical instruments, hard gaging and hand tools for inspection processes.
• CMM Software: Thorough knowledge and experience of various CMM programming languages such as Quindos, Calypso, PC-DMIS, Polyworks and Spatial Analyzer.
• Inspection (Interpretation): Thorough knowledge of, and demonstrated experience, in using and interpreting engineering blueprints, sketches, and specifications related to inspection development.
• Inspection (Testing): Advanced experience with designing and executing Gage R&R studies, inspection data analysis and data validation (i.e., measurement uncertainty analysis).

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 Applicant:

• For full consideration, submit a comprehensive resume reflective of your relevant experience to the job requirements and desired skills stated above.

• If selected for interview, applicant will be requested to give a 15-minute presentation that describes their area of expertise and how that expertise can be applied to help the dimensional inspection team in PAQ-1.

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.

HRP: This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, §712.11. These requirements include on going drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

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 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to 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 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 1-505-664-6947 option 2 and then option 3.