Los Alamos National Laboratory

Electrical Engineer 1 (R&D Engineer 1)

Los Alamos National Laboratory • $96K — $158K *
Los Alamos, NM 87544In-Person
Technical Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an accredited institution plus 2 years of related experience or equivalent education and technical experience.
  • Proven experience in designing both analog and digital electronic circuits.
  • Skilled in troubleshooting using tools such as oscilloscopes, DVMs, and function generators.
  • Proficient in reading and interpreting schematics and technical drawings.
  • Knowledge of multiple programming languages including embedded C, Verilog/VHDL, and ladder logic.
  • Familiar with low-level FPGA and microcontroller development.
  • Experience with CAD/ECAD software such as AutoCAD, Mentor Graphics, or Altium Designer.

Responsibilities

  • Maintain and support critical personnel and equipment protection systems at the LANSCE Accelerator Facility.
  • Design, test, implement, and document new and upgraded protective systems, including schematics and drawings.
  • Troubleshoot and develop digital, analog, and mixed-signal electronics, including PLCs, FPGAs, microcontrollers, and PCB design.
  • Complete formal training and participate in an on-call rotation, including occasional nights and weekends.
  • Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams and support system installations, including outdoor work and radiation area entries when needed.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, a leading high-energy accelerator facility.
  • Hands-on engineering role spanning the full system lifecycle.
  • Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team on critical national security projects.
  • Formal training opportunities within the organization.
  • Ability to participate in the Accelerator Modernization Project (LAMP).
Full Job Description
Description

Job Title Electrical Engineer 1 (R&D Engineer 1)

Location Los Alamos, NM, US

Organization Name AOT-OPS/Accelerator Operations

Minimum Salary 96600

Maximum Salary 158000

What You Will Do
This position is open for external candidates only to apply.
The Accelerator Operations and Technology Division is seeking an Engineer to join the Accelerator Operations Group at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), a premier high-energy accelerator facility supporting national security, scientific research, and isotope production.
The selected candidate will join the Protective Systems Team and play a key role in the design, implementation, and sustainment of safety-critical interlock and protection systems that safeguard personnel and accelerator equipment. This position involves developing and supporting PLC-based controls, analog and digital circuitry, and FPGA-based systems to ensure robust, fail-safe operation in a high-reliability environment.
This is a hands-on engineering role that spans the full system lifecycle, including hardware design, in-house repair and upgrades, system integration, and operational support. Responsibilities include troubleshooting complex systems using diagnostic tools such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers, supporting field installation and commissioning, and maintaining high system availability.
The position also contributes directly to next-generation protective systems associated with the LANSCE Accelerator Modernization Project (LAMP). This work requires close collaboration across engineering, operations, and safety organizations to ensure designs meet functional and safety requirements, integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure, and are delivered on schedule.
Working within a multidisciplinary team, the candidate will help develop and deploy robust, high-performance protection systems that enable safe and continuous accelerator operations in a mission-critical environment.

R&D Engineer 1 ($96,400 - $158,000)
As part of this role, you'll have the opportunity to:
  • Maintain and support critical personnel and equipment protection systems at the LANSCE Accelerator Facility.
  • Design, test, implement, and document new and upgraded protective systems, including schematics and drawings.
  • Troubleshoot and develop digital, analog, and mixed-signal electronics, including PLCs, FPGAs, microcontrollers, and PCB design.
  • Complete formal training and participate in an on-call rotation, including occasional nights and weekends.
  • Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams and support system installations, including outdoor work, ladder use, and entry into controlled radiation areas when needed.


What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
  • Proven experience in designing both analog and digital electronic circuits.
  • Skilled in troubleshooting complex systems using tools such as oscilloscopes, DVMs, and function generators.
  • Proficient in reading and interpreting schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical drawings.
  • Knowledge of multiple programming languages, including embedded C, Verilog/VHDL, and ladder logic.
  • Familiar with low-level FPGA and microcontroller development.
  • Experienced with CAD/ECAD software such as AutoCAD, Mentor Graphics, or Altium Designer.
  • Ability to obtain a Q clearance (U.S. citizenship typically required).
Education/Experience: Position requires a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an accredited institution plus 2 years of related; or an equivalent combination of education and technical experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications:
  • Strong PLC background, including Allen-Bradley networks, ladder logic, and PanelView configuration.
  • Experience designing relay-based interlock systems.
  • Proficient in PCB layout, sourcing, fabrication, and troubleshooting.
  • Skilled in translating designs into technical drawings and documentation.
  • Full lifecycle experience with electronic devices, from requirements and prototyping to installation, testing, and documentation.
Note to Applicants: For full consideration, applicants must submit a comprehensive cover letter that addresses each of the key requirements of the position.

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.

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Vision and motor skills. Ability to climb ladders and stairs.

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.

Employment Status Full Time

Appointment Type Regular

Regular

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
Enterprise Technology
Founded
1943
* Ladders Estimates

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