Description
Product Engineer (R&D Engineer 1/2)
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos, NM
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in science and engineering on behalf of national security. As the nation’s premier plutonium center of excellence, LANL leads efforts in safeguarding the U.S. nuclear stockpile while advancing research across national security, space exploration, renewable energy, supercomputing, medicine, and nanotechnology. The Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP) and Pit Technologies (PT) Division deliver plutonium pit-related products and services of the highest quality to support national security and global stability. We are seeking a Product Engineer (R&D Engineer 1/2) to join the PT-5 Product Engineering Group. In this role, you will support engineering operations across the full product lifecycle, ensuring high-quality manufacturing, configuration management, and execution of plutonium programs. This position will be filled at either level 1 or level 2, depending on the selected candidate’s experience. This is a regular, onsite role in Los Alamos, NM, with salary ranges as follows:
- R&D Engineer 1: $96,600 – $158,000
- R&D Engineer 2: $106,400 – $176,000
Responsibilities for R&D Engineer 1:
- Apply basic engineering design knowledge and principles to support research, development, analysis, testing, and validation activities
- Contribute to engineering efforts across areas such as manufacturing, materials, mechanical, chemical, process engineering, and data analysis (including coursework or project experience)
- Communicate technical ideas clearly through written and verbal methods while supporting team objectives
Additional Responsibilities for R&D Engineer 2:
- Serve as a contributing member of R&D and Operations teams to address engineering challenges and meet programmatic objectives
- Develop methods, technologies, and analysis techniques while supporting project management and milestone execution
- Present engineering work at project meetings, collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, and adapt to evolving requirements
- Ensure compliance with safety, security, and schedule requirements while mentoring junior engineers
Qualifications
R&D Engineer 1:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (or related field) with 2+ years of related experience, or equivalent combination (candidates without full experience may be considered via exception process)
- Basic knowledge of engineering principles demonstrated through experience in research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation
- Experience designing and executing experiments, analyzing data, and completing engineering projects through coursework or hands-on experience
- Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and work independently in multidisciplinary, high-intensity environments
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance (U.S. citizenship required)
R&D Engineer 2:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (or related field) with 4+ years of related experience, or equivalent combination
- Thorough knowledge and experience in one or more disciplines (mechanical, materials science, chemical, metallurgical, or related R&D fields)
- Experience planning and executing R&D projects independently while collaborating across diverse technical teams
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting technical findings and documenting solutions
- Demonstrated leadership through mentoring junior engineers
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance (U.S. citizenship required)
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience in manufacturing or production environments with defined processes, testing, and quality requirements
- Interdisciplinary project experience and ability to work across diverse technical teams; proactive approach to new tasks and challenges
- Knowledge of qualification testing, conduct of operations, and rigorous engineering processes
- Familiarity with materials science topics including materials selection/design, metallurgy, materials characterization, and reliability/maintainability
- Experience with non-destructive evaluation (e.g., radiography), microscopy/image analysis, electrochemistry, chemical analysis, and data analysis
- Background in computational modeling and computer programming
- Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent
We Are Delivering Scientific Excellence
Los Alamos National Laboratory is more than a place to work. It is a catalyst for discovery, innovation, and achievement. It’s one of the reasons we attract world-class talent who contribute greatly to our outstanding culture. Professional development and work/life balance foster lasting career satisfaction. Our onsite cafeterias and medical, fitness, and wellness facilities, education assistance, and generous compensation and benefits reflect our commitment to supporting our employees’ personal and professional growth. Northern New Mexico offers abundant outdoor recreation, cultural experiences, and year-round adventure.
(IRC143345)
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 applicable 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 a disability accommodation, email applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505) 664-6947, opt. 3.
