Device Safety Engineer
- Req. Number: IRC136664
- Organization : W-10
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 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.
The Weapon Systems Safety Analysis Group (W-10) is seeking to fill an R&D Engineer 3 or R&D Engineer 4 position to join the Nevada Weapons Experiments Support Team. The successful candidate will perform and collaborate on nuclear safety evaluations for LANL's subcritical experiments performed at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). These state-of-the-art experiments provide critical data to enhance LANL's understanding of fissile material behavior under extreme shock-loading conditions.
R&D Engineer 3 $125,200 - $211,300
The selected candidate will participate in and oversee safety assessments to protect workers, the public, and the environment from hazards associated with special nuclear materials. These assessments include:
As part of the Nevada Weapons Experiments Support Team, you will work closely with subcritical experiment device designers, engineers, and scientists to integrate nuclear safety into device design and hands-on operations. This includes executing Device Response Methodology implementation and collaborating on unified safety assessment projects.
This role requires collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams within LANL, working over multi-year project lifecycles, and applying technical engineering, research, and safety expertise.
R&D Engineer 4 $150,300 - $260,800
In addition to what is outlined at the lower level, at this level the candidate will work closely with the Nevada Weapons Experiments Support Team Leader to:
This role requires collaboration across multi-organizational teams, e.g., LANL, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, NNSS, Nevada Field Office, etc., working and managing deliverables for overlapping multi-year project lifecycles, and directly collaborating with LANL subject matter experts to establish new technical basis information needed to underwrite defensible safety assessments.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Nuclear Explosive Systems: Knowledge and experience with high explosives, special nuclear materials, or initiation systems.
DOE Operations: Demonstrated knowledge or ability to develop proficiency with applicable DOE Standards, Guides, Orders, and Regulations.
Analysis and Support Activities: Experience leading safety-related analysis and providing technical support, including: Participating in formal design reviews, assessing technical information, and developing hazard analyses and safety control strategies.
Project Management: Knowledge and experience with all aspects of technical project management, including defining program work scope, schedules, budgets, priorities, and performance milestones.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Proven experience working in multi-disciplinary teams to solve challenging and complex problems, influencing strategies, and resolving technical challenges. Ability to positively influence project or program strategies and directions. Ability to coordinate with organizations internal and external to LANL.
Communication: Strong oral and written communication skills as evidenced by technical reports, public speaking, and preparing and delivering technical presentations to diverse stakeholders.
Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 4:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
Nuclear Explosive Systems: Advanced knowledge and experience with high explosives, special nuclear materials, and initiation systems.
Strategic Planning Skills: Exceptional skills demonstrated in the areas of problem solving, conflict resolution, and customer and stakeholder interactions.
Communication: Expertise in presenting highly complex technical information to a non-technical audience in an understandable format, as well as to technical experts in appropriate detail.
Leadership: Demonstrated ability to coordinate and lead a team of engineers. Excellent motivational and leadership skills to help develop and guide LANL personnel.
Education/Experience at R&D Engineer 3 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 R&D Engineer 4 level: Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 12 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.
Desired Qualifications:
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of 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:
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.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
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 applicable 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 a disability accommodation, email applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505) 664-6947, opt. 3.
This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 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.
The Weapon Systems Safety Analysis Group (W-10) is seeking to fill an R&D Engineer 3 or R&D Engineer 4 position to join the Nevada Weapons Experiments Support Team. The successful candidate will perform and collaborate on nuclear safety evaluations for LANL's subcritical experiments performed at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). These state-of-the-art experiments provide critical data to enhance LANL's understanding of fissile material behavior under extreme shock-loading conditions.
R&D Engineer 3 $125,200 - $211,300
The selected candidate will participate in and oversee safety assessments to protect workers, the public, and the environment from hazards associated with special nuclear materials. These assessments include:
- Device response methodology evaluations supporting NNSS safety basis adequacy.
- Dynamic criticality safety evaluations meeting federal subcriticality requirements.
- Criticality safety evaluations supporting nuclear criticality safety requirements.
- Criticality sensitivity assessments supporting two-person coverage requirements.
As part of the Nevada Weapons Experiments Support Team, you will work closely with subcritical experiment device designers, engineers, and scientists to integrate nuclear safety into device design and hands-on operations. This includes executing Device Response Methodology implementation and collaborating on unified safety assessment projects.
This role requires collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams within LANL, working over multi-year project lifecycles, and applying technical engineering, research, and safety expertise.
R&D Engineer 4 $150,300 - $260,800
In addition to what is outlined at the lower level, at this level the candidate will work closely with the Nevada Weapons Experiments Support Team Leader to:
- Manage the team's main duties, tasks, and responsibilities.
- Provide safety expertise to support LANL's Nevada Programs.
- Represent LANL as a subcritical experiment core team member at LANL as well as at NNSS.
This role requires collaboration across multi-organizational teams, e.g., LANL, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, NNSS, Nevada Field Office, etc., working and managing deliverables for overlapping multi-year project lifecycles, and directly collaborating with LANL subject matter experts to establish new technical basis information needed to underwrite defensible safety assessments.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Nuclear Explosive Systems: Knowledge and experience with high explosives, special nuclear materials, or initiation systems.
DOE Operations: Demonstrated knowledge or ability to develop proficiency with applicable DOE Standards, Guides, Orders, and Regulations.
Analysis and Support Activities: Experience leading safety-related analysis and providing technical support, including: Participating in formal design reviews, assessing technical information, and developing hazard analyses and safety control strategies.
Project Management: Knowledge and experience with all aspects of technical project management, including defining program work scope, schedules, budgets, priorities, and performance milestones.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Proven experience working in multi-disciplinary teams to solve challenging and complex problems, influencing strategies, and resolving technical challenges. Ability to positively influence project or program strategies and directions. Ability to coordinate with organizations internal and external to LANL.
Communication: Strong oral and written communication skills as evidenced by technical reports, public speaking, and preparing and delivering technical presentations to diverse stakeholders.
Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 4:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
Nuclear Explosive Systems: Advanced knowledge and experience with high explosives, special nuclear materials, and initiation systems.
Strategic Planning Skills: Exceptional skills demonstrated in the areas of problem solving, conflict resolution, and customer and stakeholder interactions.
Communication: Expertise in presenting highly complex technical information to a non-technical audience in an understandable format, as well as to technical experts in appropriate detail.
Leadership: Demonstrated ability to coordinate and lead a team of engineers. Excellent motivational and leadership skills to help develop and guide LANL personnel.
Education/Experience at R&D Engineer 3 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 R&D Engineer 4 level: Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 12 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience with subcritical experiments.
- Knowledge of hazardous material properties, weapons physics, and/or nuclear criticality.
- Demonstrated experience working with Documented Safety Analyses.
- Working knowledge of formal hazard analysis procedures.
- Active DOE Q-clearance and the ability to obtain Human reliability program (HRP) certification.
Note to Applicants:
- For full consideration, applicants are required to submit a comprehensive cover letter detailing knowledge, skills, and abilities against the required and desired skills listed above.
- The primary work location for this position is located on-site in Los Alamos, NM. Periods of travel to the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) are required. Applicant can expect to travel 10-15% of their time.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of 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 maternity and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, 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.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
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 applicable 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 a disability accommodation, email applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505) 664-6947, opt. 3.
