Los Alamos National Laboratory

Materials Science Research Engineer (R&D Engineer 1/2)

Los Alamos National Laboratory • $96K — $176K *
Los Alamos, NM 87544In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.
  • 2 years of relevant experience for R&D Engineer 1, or 4 years for R&D Engineer 2.
  • Experience in experimental design, planning, execution, and reporting.
  • Proficiency in engineering software like CAE, CFD, FEA, Python, or LabView.
  • Ability to obtain a DOE Q Clearance (U.S. citizenship required).

Responsibilities

  • Design and build experimental devices to meet specific requirements.
  • Research and implement instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
  • Evaluate engineering instrumentation data (e.g., stress, strain, temperature).
  • Conduct various material testing and aging studies.
  • Participate in developing new testing technologies and facilities.

Benefits

  • Collaborative work environment with leading scientists and engineers.
  • Opportunities for professional development and mentorship.
  • Engagement in cutting-edge experimental technologies.
  • Participation in research that impacts national security.
  • Potential for travel to national and international experiment facilities.
Full Job Description
Description

Job Title Materials Science Research Engineer (R&D Engineer 1/2)

Location Los Alamos, NM, US

Organization Name MST-8/Materials Science in Radiation & Dynamics Extremes

Minimum Salary

Maximum Salary

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.
What You Will Do
MST-8 Scattering Team is seeking a research and development engineer to join the Materials Scattering Team to support and conduct in-situ microstructural characterization using neutron and synchrotron X-ray sources. The principal function of the candidate is the development of experimental environments to contain, stimulate and measure extrinsic material properties at beam line facilities. The position will be awarded to the candidate that demonstrates critical thinking, foundational engineering principles and successful collaboration. The engineer will report to the lead engineer with close integration with the scientific staff for program with both internal and external stakeholders. Interpersonal communication skills are a paramount element of the teamwork environment as are committedis commitment to the safety and security culture of Los Alamos National Laboratory.
This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 1/R&D Engineer 2 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 1 ($96,600 - $158,000)
Tasks include but are not limited to:
  • Designing, analyzing, and building experimental devices to given requirements
  • Research and implement instrumentation and data acquisition systems
  • Evaluating data from engineering instrumentation i.e. stress/strain/vacuum/electrical/temperature
Test types include but are not limited to:
  • Material testing, aging & compatibility studies
  • Thermal, and/or high temperature studies
  • Combined environments (thermal plus mechanical stress/strain) studies
R&D Engineer 2 ($106,400 - $176,000)
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level the above mentioned tasks are expected to be accomplished with significantly less oversight. Additional tasks will include:
  • Creating Engineering reports detailing design adherence to requirements
  • Scheduling, executing, and maintaining tests
  • Providing technical oversight to team members
Experimental activities require working closely in a team environment with other engineers, scientists, and technicians within LANL, DOE, and other institutions.

Additional job responsibilities include participating in the development of new testing technologies and facilities and implementing quality assurance requirements. Performance of job responsibilities will require working in controlled hazardous environments that may include radiation generating devices, radioactive materials, high explosives, and other hazardous materials. The ability to provide clear, timely, and technically accurate direction to test support technicians is part of the job duties.

Travel to national/international user facilities for experiment execution is to be expected (typically 5 to 10 days at a time, several times a year).

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements: R&D Engineer 1

Experimental Design Management:
  • Experience and knowledge of experimental engineering including experimental design, planning, preparation, execution, and documenting of results against specifications.
  • Ability to work on multiple projects concurrently and with changing priorities while delivering on to a strict deadline.
  • Ability to accomplish technical tasks while working independently or as part of a team with other engineers, scientists, and technicians.
Analysis and Reporting:
  • Demonstrated experience in interpreting experimental data such as temperature and stress.
  • Experience and knowledge in the use of specialized engineering software for analysis, such as CAE, CFD, FEA, Python, MATLAB, LabView, or other similar software packages.
Communication:
  • Demonstrated interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and experience interacting with all levels of personnel and customers.
Clearance:
  • Ability to obtain a DOE Q Clearance, which typically requires U.S. citizenship.
R&D Engineer 2:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
  • Demonstrated Experience and knowledge of experimental engineering including experimental design, planning, preparation, execution, and documenting of results against specifications.
  • Ability to advise and guide experimental work including mentoring junior staff, students or technicians.
  • Experience formulating experiment report documentation
  • Demonstrated knowledge and independent use of specialized engineering software analysis tools, CAE.
Education/Experience R&D Engineer 1: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 2 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Candidates that meet the degree requirement, but who do not meet the two-year experience requirement, are encouraged to apply and may be considered for hire through an allowable variance.

Education/Experience R&D Engineer 2: 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.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Advanced engineering degrees like MS in Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Physics Mechanical Engineering, or related field
  • Demonstrated experience in the design and analysis of thermal transient loading conditions.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of experimental and analytical thermal analysis utilizing three-dimensional modeling software.
  • Environmental, thermal life cycle, or thermal testing experience.
  • Experience with cryogenic operations, thermometry and/or thermal radiation shielding environments
  • Active Q clearance.
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Sitting, standing, climbing stairs, reaching overhead and down, bending, stooping, and lifting 10-50 pounds.

Work Environment: Position involves working around and possibly handling nuclear material as well as being near sources of ionizing radiation.

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.Travel will be required to external facilities, estimated up to 20%. Travel to external experiments and some internal experiments may require atypical work hours.
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: For full consideration, applicants must submit a comprehensive cover letter that addresses 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.

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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