Los Alamos National Laboratory

Advanced Manufacturing & Mission Realization Lead (R&D Engineer 3/4)

Los Alamos National Laboratory$128K — $266K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's Degree in Engineering or equivalent experience; 6 years for R&D Engineer 3, 12 years for R&D Engineer 4
  • Experience in complex R&D projects particularly in advanced manufacturing or systems engineering
  • Strong technical writing skills for documentation and operational requirements
  • Ability to mentor early-career engineers and work collaboratively in teams
  • Expertise in mechanical, electrical, or related engineering disciplines
  • Experience with agile/additive manufacturing and novel materials
  • Active DOE Q clearance or ability to obtain is required.

Responsibilities

  • Lead multidisciplinary teams to transform innovative concepts into mission-ready solutions
  • Facilitate advanced manufacturing processes and rapid prototyping to accelerate project timelines
  • Develop and manage work packages using project management tools like Primavera or MS Project
  • Authorship of complex technical documents and work planning
  • Deliver technical briefings to senior leadership and stakeholders
  • Ensure operational and safety requirements are met during R&D projects
  • Guide design, fabrication, and integration of systems and components.

Benefits

  • Onsite work environment fostering team collaboration and innovation
  • Opportunity to play a critical role in national security applications
  • Access to advanced manufacturing technologies and methodologies
  • Professional development and mentoring opportunities
  • Support for digital transformation and process improvement initiatives
Full Job Description
Description

Job Title Advanced Manufacturing & Mission Realization Lead (R&D Engineer 3/4)

Location Los Alamos, NM, US

Organization Name E-2/Mission Concepts

Minimum Salary

Maximum Salary

What You Will Do
This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

This position will be filled at either the R&D 3 or 4 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.

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

You will play an integral leadership role as part of a multidisciplinary team, facilitating transformation of innovative concepts into tangible, mission-ready solutions for national security applications. As part of the Mission Concepts (E-2) group, you will operate in advanced manufacturing, systems engineering, and rapid prototyping, helping accelerate ideas from early-stage concepts through proof-of-concept and beyond.

R&D Engineer 4 ($153,600 - $266,500)

In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, you will have experience leading large multidisciplinary teams and be able to communicate technical updates with senior leadership/external stakeholders. Additionally, proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Primavera, MS Project) and a record of authoring complex technical documents will set you apart..

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
  • Demonstrated experience with complex R&D projects from concept to execution, especially in advanced manufacturing, systems engineering, or rapid prototyping.
  • Experience working with large technical teams (engineers, scientists, technologists, technicians) to deliver mission-focused solutions.
  • Familiarity with project management tools for planning, resourcing, and executing work packages.
  • Strong technical writing skills for authoring work planning and control documentation, with attention to operational and safety requirements.
  • Ability to operate effectively in integrated R&D and operations environments, balancing agility with rigor.
  • Excellent collaboration skills, including working under technical direction, partnering with peers and mentoring early-career engineers.
  • Effective communication skills for delivering technical briefings and updates.
  • Expertise in mechanical, electrical, or related engineering disciplines, guiding design, fabrication, and system integration.
  • Experience with agile and additive manufacturing, including work with novel materials and processes.

Additional Job Requirements for the R&D Engineer 4
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex R&D projects from concept to execution, especially in advanced manufacturing, systems engineering, or rapid prototyping.
  • Proven experience leading large technical teams (engineers, scientists, technologists, technicians) to deliver mission-focused solutions.
  • Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Primavera, MS Project) for planning, resourcing, and executing work packages.
  • Effective communication skills for delivering technical briefings to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
  • Strong track record of innovation, publications, or technical contributions.

Education/Experience at lower 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.

Education/Experience at higher level: Master's degree in engineering and 12 years of related experience; or equivalent combination. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Strong background or demonstrated interest in robotics integration, including hands-on implementation, troubleshooting, and system optimization.
  • Experience supporting or driving digital transformation efforts, modernizing workflows, introducing automation, or improving data/process efficiency.
  • Familiarity with metrology, precision measurement systems, instrumentation, or related quality-assurance practices.
  • A proactive, execution-focused mindset, someone who is driven to get things done, can work independently, removes roadblocks, and delivers results reliably.
  • Ability to work across interdisciplinary teams (engineering, operations, research) and communicate clearly about technical challenges and solutions.
  • Comfortable working in fast-moving environments with evolving priorities.
  • Demonstrated problem-solving skills and a continuous-improvement mentality.
  • Active DOE Q clearance (or the ability to obtain).

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 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:

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.

Contact Details

Contact Name Robinson, Loren

Email [email protected]

Work Telephone

About Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory initially organized during World War II for the design of nuclear weapons as part of the Manhattan Project. It is located a short distance northwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico in the southwestern United States. LANL conducts research in fields such as national security, space exploration, renewable energy, medicine, nanotechnology, and supercomputing. It is the largest institution of its kind in the world. LANL is managed and operated by Triad National Security, LLC, which is composed of Battelle Memorial Institute, the University of California, and the Texas A&M University System.
Learn more about Los Alamos National Laboratory
Size
12,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1943

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Los Alamos National Laboratory

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Advanced Manufacturing & Mission Realization Lead (R&D Engineer 3/4) jobs: