Description

Job Title Analog Space Instrument Electrical Engineer (R&D Engineer 3)

Location Los Alamos, NM, US

Organization Name ISR-4/Space Electronics and Signal Processing Group

Minimum Salary 128000

Maximum Salary 215900

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.
What You Will Do
Come join our passionate team of R&D engineers and scientists supporting national security! The Space Electronics and Signal Processing (ISR-4) Group is seeking R&D Electrical Engineers to assist and lead the design and development of high-quality, innovative measurement systems followed by their deployment to space for national security applications and NASA missions. This job is the essence of "Cradle to Grave" engineering; once designed, built, and tested, you will often provide subject matter expertise for payload delivery, launch, and operations over the life of the mission whether in earth orbit for 10+ years, Mars, or deep space. ISR Division designs, builds, delivers, and exploits innovative ground- and space-based measurement systems and provides unique analysis and interpretation of data from these systems. We succeed through our cohesive, interdisciplinary teams of engineers, technicians, and scientists working within a highly creative and dynamic R&D environment. Our projects range from cutting edge scientific explorations expanding our knowledge of the universe, to ensuring national and global security. ISR's 400+ instruments fly on over 200 satellites, including numerous NASA missions like Voyager and the last two Mars Rovers. For more information go to lanl.gov/space.

If you possess self-initiative and enjoy working in a small team environment of rapid prototype, high quality, low volume, electrical assemblies this is the job for you. ISR-4 is looking for a few highly motivated mid-career electrical engineers to assist in the development of custom instrumentation for various space-based detection systems. These systems can include:

• Satellite-based detectors for space monitoring programs in support of nonproliferation and nuclear event detection missions;
• Payloads for planetary science missions;
• and Smallsat and Cubesat Systems.

As an Analog Space Instrument Design Engineer (R&D Engineer 3), you will collaborate across science and engineering disciplines to define instrument requirements and lead the design, modeling, fabrication, and testing of spaceflight hardware, with a primary focus on analog electronics. You are a recognized technical contributor with advanced expertise, capable of independently driving complex designs and ensuring performance in demanding space environments.

In this role, you serve as a technical leader within ISR, providing in-depth evaluation of design tradeoffs and guiding key engineering decisions. You apply advanced electrical engineering methodologies with a strong commitment to safety, security, and quality. You also contribute to team growth through mentorship, collaboration, and clear technical communication, while continuing to expand your own expertise and impact

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
Engineering Expertise

• Demonstrated advanced experience in analog electronic design for instrumentation or similar high-performance systems, including:
• Low-noise design principles and precision signal conditioning
• Design and analysis of analog front-end circuits for high sensitivity detectors
• High-speed and/or high-resolution data conversion (ADC/DAC integration)
• Circuit modeling, simulation, and validation across environmental conditions
• Power integrity and grounding strategies in mixed-signal systems

Communication and Teaming

• Demonstrated ability to lead and execute technical work both independently and in a multidisciplinary team environment with engineers, scientists, and technicians. Applies advanced expertise in one or more areas of engineering to guide the research, design, verification, and validation of electrical engineering solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts, support sound decision-making, and collaborate effectively across disciplines. Proven capability to understand the broader system context and integrate electrical design decisions with inputs from other subject matter experts.
• Recognized for strong organizational skills, sound technical judgment, and the ability to evaluate design tradeoffs at the task and subsystem level. Demonstrates initiative in influencing project execution and contributing to team or organizational direction, including mentoring and supporting the development of early-career staff.

Security Clearance:
Ability and desire to obtain Q clearance, which generally requires U.S. citizenship.

Education/Experience:
Position requires a master's degree in engineering and 6 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience in one or more of the following areas is desired but not required:

• Analog Electronics: sensor interfaces, signal shaping and filtering, low noise amplifiers, precision timing circuitry
• Detectors: fast scintillators, solid state, for use on X-ray, neutron, gamma, plasma, energetic particle instruments
• Mixed-Signal Systems: Cross-domain optimization of analog, digital, and power subsystems for overall instrument performance
• Power Electronics: Design and analysis of linear regulators and DC/DC converters, switching topologies, filtering, and control
• Knowledge of configuration management tools and processes
• Experience with space-flight hardware development and formal verification methods desirable
• Experience debugging & troubleshooting circuits/prototypes
• Experience or knowledge of best practices for maintaining signal integrity in mixed analog/digital designs from circuit design to PCB layout
• Active security clearance

Note to Applicants:
In addition to providing a resume, applicants should also include a cover letter detailing their experience as applied to the job requirements.

Work Environment:

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:
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.

Employment Status Full Time

Appointment Type Regular

Regular