Nuclear Materials Test Lead (R&D Engineer 2/3)

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos, NM

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JOB DETAILS

SALARY

$106,400–$176,000 Per Year

SKILLS

Aerospace and Defense, Analysis Skills, Budget Management, Budget Reporting, Budgeting, Calendar Management, Communication Skills, Customer Relations, Dental Insurance, Electricity, Engineering Drawing, Enterprise Protection, Expense Reports, Experiment Design, Explosives, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, Hardware Design, Hazardous Materials/Substances, Laboratory, Leadership, Manufacturing, Material Science, Materials Testing, Mechanical Testing, Mentoring, Multitasking, Operations Security (OPSEC), Process Modeling, Project Estimates, Project Schedule, Project/Program Management, Publications, Research & Development (R&D), Scientific Method, Scientific Principles, Staff Requirements, Strategic Planning, Surveillance, System Test, Systems Engineering, Team Lead/Manager, Technical Leadership, Test Design, Test Plan/Schedule, Test Requirements, Testing, Tuition Fees, United States Citizen, Vision Plan

LOCATION

Los Alamos, NM

POSTED

24 days ago

What You Will Do

The Weapons Test Execution group (V-21) is responsible for system level testing that includes project initiation, experimental design and analysis, hardware design and analysis, and fabrication for small component level up to full scale integrated tests. Test activities will include collaborations throughout ALDW, joint test operations with Sandia and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, and supporting experiments performed at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). Projects vary widely from small weapon component and system level testing to experimental programs requiring containment/confinement system design and testing that is proven to contain detonation products and debris.

More broadly, LANL is tasked with qualifying and certifying the efficacy of the systems and subsystems we design and maintain through testing. The nature of the testing spans a wide range of engineering disciplines to include explosives testing, thermal and mechanical environments testing, electrical testing, and flight testing. Typical tests require the support of many specialized service organizations, and the integration of all these services falls under the responsibility of a Test Lead, who is afforded the opportunity to participate during all phases of test execution.

The successful candidate will work in V-21 on the Nuclear Materials team as a test lead for development, qualification, or surveillance tests in support of LANL and other Nuclear Security Enterprise customers. Core roles in this position include preparation of schedule and budget estimates for scoping new work, authoring test requirements and plans, regularly interfacing with internal and external customers to update schedule and status, coordination of the efforts of service providers across the laboratory, assisting in test execution, and reporting at the completion of the test.

This position will primarily work with the Q-20 Materials Compatibility and Aging Qualification team through local testing at LANL. The candidate should have a thorough knowledge of nuclear materials science, conducting work in a nuclear facility, and a thorough understanding of design of experiments. Testing may include materials compatibility, irradiation, and intrinsic radiation studies.

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 or 3 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate.

R&D Engineer 2 $106,400 - $176,000

At the R&D Engineer 2 level, you will function in the test lead role in support of a development, qualification, or surveillance test for LANL systems groups of other nuclear security enterprise partners. You will interface regularly with your customer, plan and schedule work in support of the goals of the test, participate in the execution of the test, and prepare test evidence in the form of data packages and final reports.

R&D Engineer 3 $128,000 - $215,900

In addition to what was outlined at the R&D 2 level, as an R&D Engineer 3, you will be required to provide technical leadership and mentorship to other test leads on the team and interface with customers to engage in strategic planning for future tests.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Communication Skills

Experience communicating effectively with customers in one or more of the following (both oral and written format): schedule communication, project/program status updates, or spending/budget reports
Experience authoring and publishing formal test related documents, such as test requirements (TR), test plan (TP) and test reports (TR) and/or peer reviewed publications.
Ability to explain technical ideas, concepts, procedures, and requirements to employees of all experience levels.

Leadership Skills

Experience designing experiments or projects leveraging principles of the scientific method.
Demonstrated experience in test execution.
Demonstrated experience interfacing with and integrating the efforts of interdisciplinary teams to achieve program milestones and deliverable due dates.
Ability to effectively manage and understand technical details over a large range of STEM fields.

Technical Skills

Nuclear Materials Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of nuclear and materials science concepts, principles, practices, procedures, as evidenced by experience, researching, designing, testing, analyzing, verifying, and validating technical solutions.
Nuclear Radiation Effects Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of intrinsic radiation and/or radiation effects on materials.

Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 3:

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

Direct experience in the defense or manufacturing industry.
Experience developing budget estimates, project and program schedules, and delivery of regular status, schedule, and/or budget reports to customers.
Demonstrated ability to work largely independently and provide mentorship to staff newer to the test lead role.
Proven ability to manage multiple large projects with an integrated and diverse group.

Education/Experience at lower level: 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.

Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires a Master's degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 6 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience with measurements and research of special nuclear material (SNM)
Familiarity with LANL design agency quality (DAQ) policy documents.
Experience in the development of complex systems and knowledge of the system engineering process, including model-based system engineering (MBSE)
Experience working with or around hazardous materials including participation in the development or authorship of safety bases.
Experience mentoring new and/or junior staff or students.
Active Q clearance
Familiarity with relevant nuclear facilities and their conduct of operations.
Experience reviewing/approving engineering drawings with focus on GD&T

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 one year.

Note to Applicants: 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.

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.

About the Company

Los Alamos National Laboratory

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