What You Will Do

The Integrated Weapons Experiments (J) Division is seeking a highly motivated R&D Mechanical Engineer to support the mission of stockpile stewardship for the Hydrodynamic and Subcritical Experiment Execution Support (HSEES) Program in the J-Division Nevada Operations (J-NV) group.

J-NV is the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) on-site organization responsible for preparing, fielding, and executing dynamic high explosive-related experiments, including sub-critical dynamic experiments involving special nuclear material for the Los Alamos National Laboratory's (LANL's) Weapons Program and other national security customers.

The successful candidate will interface with staff working on the explosive test device and the confinement vessel used to execute tests. The interface entails engineering of vessel shielding to ensure longevity of the confinement vessels, collaborating with assembly and system engineers, designing and engineering device-specific hardware and diagnostics, working with machine shops to fabricate parts, and leading experiments to ensure data is collected according to specified requirements. The selected candidate will work with a diverse group of scientists, engineers, technologists, and technicians on projects and programs for both internal and external customers. You will assist with the design and development of different test configurations to support the execution of dynamic high explosive experiments for the LANL Weapons program as well as other programs and national security customers.

This position will require periodic travel to Los Alamos National Laboratory and requires the candidate to obtain and maintain a Q-clearance as well as participation in LANL's Human Reliability Program certification.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Design: Demonstrated experience in design drafting practices, to include ASME Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and tolerance stack up. Experience performing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and reporting FEA results. Ability to identify fabrication, tolerance, or assembly issues before part fabrication. CAD experience with packages such as CREO or SolidWorks.

Engineering Specifications: Knowledge in the fundamentals of mechanical engineering, including planning, designing, and fabricating experiment hardware. Demonstrated experience developing engineering specifications (such as design specification, fabrication and inspection specifications, assembly specifications, and test plans).

Engineering: Demonstrated experience in mechanical engineering that supports R&D development of projects; including designing, planning, fabricating, and testing of statically or dynamically loaded structures, systems, and components, and analyzing test results.

Field Experience: Experience designing and authoring test plans and requirements, and leading field operations for test execution. Knowledge of data acquisition systems and the analysis of experimental data. Experience developing and working towards project schedules and deliverables. Experience discovering technical issues with components or procedures and developing solutions.

Communication Skills: Demonstrated ability to interact effectively and present technical issues to all levels of personnel, both verbally and in written form. Able to communicate schedule progress, technical issues, and successes to management.

Education/Experience: 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:

  • A graduate degree is desired. Expertise in mechanical and/or structural engineering is preferred.
  • Experience in the structural design of pressure vessels, and knowledge of vessel feedthroughs and pressure/vacuum system design.
  • Familiarity with ASME codes for vessel structure calculations.
  • Experience with precision assembly operations, high explosives operations, or other high hazard operations.
  • Experience developing lift plans and working familiarity with ASME Standards for hoisting and rigging.
  • Experience with diagnostic fielding and data collection with systems such as thermocouples and strain gauges.
  • Experience with Additive Manufacturing and the design of parts for 3D Printing with FDM/FFF Printers.
  • Active Q Clearance.

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Peripheral vision, Depth perception, Binocular vision, Reading vision, Distance vision, Ability to speak, Ability to discriminate speech, Ability to hear in a normal range (500 to 3000 Hz), Ability to hear safety alarms, Ability to smell, Sitting, Standing, Walking, Climbing stairs, Climbing Ladders, Bending, Stooping, Crouching, Kneeling, Twisting the trunk or back, Balancing, Reaching overhead, Reaching horizontally, Reaching down, Applying torque with hands or arms, Gripping with the hand, Pressing with hands or arms, Pushing with hands or arms, Pulling with hands or arms, Typing, Fine motor control, Use of both hands, Use of both arms, Use of both legs, Use of both feet, Lifting 30+ pounds, Carrying 30+ pounds

Work Environment:

  • This position is located at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) located about 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NV. Employees can either take a commuter bus, carpool, or individually drive to reporting work locations. Experiment firing sites can be another 30 to 50 miles in, for which transportation is available. This can make for a 1 to 1 ½ hour or longer commute each way on top of a 10-hour day (employees work a 4-day/10-hour day schedule).
  • Work at the NNSS usually results in long days that start at sun up and end late in the day. Work locations can be 1000 ft. underground or out in the middle of the desert. Temperatures can vary from below freezing to well above 100 degrees.
  • Outdoors, In confined space, Heights, Underground, Working alone, Working overtime or irregular schedule, Domestic/foreign travel, Operation of motor vehicles, Work with weapons or explosives, Work with vibrating equipment/machinery, Work near machinery with moving parts, toxic chemicals, irritant chemicals, dusts or powders, sprays, mists, or vapors, fumes, carcinogens, Hearing protection, Gloves or hand protection, Safety shoes or protective foot-gear, Headgear or head protection, safety glasses or eye protection, face shield or facial protection, Mask or respirator.

Work Location: The work location for this position is located at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) located about 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NV. 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 1year.

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.

Please include a cover letter highlighting your qualifications for full consideration.

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 childbirth and parental leave
  • Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
  • Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
  • Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
  • 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.

HRP: This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, §712.11. These requirements include on going drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

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.

Equal Opportunity: 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 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 such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.

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Confirmed 6 hours ago. Posted 4 days ago.

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