Systems Engineer (R&D Engineer 2 or 3)

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 / 3 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 Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) uses a one-of-a-kind linear accelerator to deliver proton beams at 84% the speed of light to spallation neutron targets for scientific and national defense applications. Multiple beam facility upgrades are already underway at LANSCE to develop and modernize capabilities that support LANL's unique deterrence mission.

Among other responsibilities, the Target Experimental and Support Team (AOT-OPS:TESTeam) spearheads the design, development, and construction of experimental end stations aimed at understanding dynamic materials in extreme environments in support of the deterrence mission.

This requires a wide range of engineering, demolition and disposal (D&D), tradecraft, construction, and project management skills employed in hazardous environments. TESTeam seeks an organized, problem-solving Systems Engineer who thrives in a collaborative, high-impact R&D environment to support this facility development initiative.

Successful candidates will provide oversight and coordination of project execution activities, define full system performance requirements in coordination with beam physicists, manage cross-system and organization interfaces, and support design reviews. This role will support legacy equipment D&D activities, along with new system installation and commissioning.

The Systems Engineer will help to collaborate and coordinate LANSCE end station modernization efforts across all engineering teams and ensure seemless integration with the rest of the project and facility, throughout design, installation, and commissioning phases.

This unique opportunity is the first of its kind at LANSCE in decades. The engineer candidate selected to join TESTeam will be engaged in all phases of the iterative design, analysis, project planning, and work execution efforts for new beamlines and end stations.

R&D Engineer 2 $106,400 - 176,000

• Coordinate documented facility designs and reviews with beam physicists, engineers, and project leads to ensure all systems meet performance requirements and align with programmatic technical goals.
• Integrate system design and operations across all technical stakeholder and hazard assessment groups to ensure alignment of subsystems across interfaces and safe work execution.
• Organize and lead technical alignment and review meetings among engineering teams, track actions, manage technical interfaces among subsystems and associated engineering teams, and assure decisive, documented execution on critical design decisions.
• Assist in facility evolutions including shielding package design, design and integration of mechanical hardware, and planning heavy lifting operations using overhead cranes and forklifts.
• Participate in D&D planning, execution, and coordination efforts with industrial controls and owner organizations for mechanical, electrical, radiological, and vacuum/piping systems.
• Strong engagement in planning system installation work scope and execution with other physics, engineering, and hazard assessment subjet matter experts (SMEs).
• Leverage and database CAD drawings, manage inventories and equipment lists, and prepare engineering and work control documentation.
• Oversee technical jobs being performed under work documents, controls, and/or procedures.
• Provide schedule development, cost estimates, and project status to project leads.

R&D Engineer 3 $128,000 - 215,900

In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level

• Take project-side ownership for all aspects of the production and curation of engineering designs (schematics, CAD, survey data, etc.).
• Develop new methods, techniques, or approaches to address critical problems.
• Collaborate in strategic problem solving toward the integration of beam physics and engineering design.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior staff and peers in design, testing, operation and manufacturing of subsystems
• Participate in development and implementation of institutional initiatives, develop technical presentations, and contribute to the development of technical publications.
• Interface with other technical SMEs to produce and oversee project work scope, schedules, and cost estimates, etc., especially for D&D.
• Serve as technical SME for various hydronic, cryogenic, vacuum systems.
• Coordinate the production and implementation of engineering and work control documentation with technologists and technicians.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Solid systems-engineering foundation, with the ability and interest to perform hands-on troubleshooting, integration, and field work on complex accelerator or nuclear-facility systems.
• Working knowledge of accelerator or nuclear-facility subsystems and their interactions, including high-voltage/high-current power supplies, instrumentation and controls, cryogenic and mechanical-vacuum systems, and machine and personnel protection systems.
• Experience supporting accelerator or nuclear-facility construction, installation, or upgrade activities, including power-supply and controls-rack installation, cable selection/routing and de-installation/disposition work, and component integration with operations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within and across technical teams to diagnose and resolve technical issues; communicate clearly; follow engineering procedures, policies, programs, and practices; and contribute to improved methods or solutions.
• Ability and willingness to perform field-based work, including after-hours support; hands-on operations and fabrication; lifting up to 50 lbs.; supporting heavy-lift activities; and working safely around radiological, chemical, mechanical, and cryogenic hazards while using required PPE and respiratory protection. Must be able to obtain and maintain respirator certification.

Training/Certifications:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a respirator certification

Education/Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Nuclear, or a related Engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited institution, plus 4 years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. For the higher-level position, a master's degree and 6 years of related experience are required.

Desired Qualifications:

• Education, training, or practical experience in electrical engineering, electronic control systems, industrial controls, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), or computer programming.
• Experience supporting radioactive-material or radioactive-waste handling, processing, packaging, transportation, or disposal activities in a regulated nuclear or radiological environment.
• Proficiency with CAD software, engineering analysis tools, and strength or structural-analysis packages used for equipment, component, piping, or facility design.
• Working knowledge of mechanical fabrication methods, including common welding practices, machining processes, shop tools, and materials-selection considerations.
• Familiarity with ASME B31.3 Process Piping Code and its application to the design, installation, inspection, modification, or maintenance of process-piping systems.
• Experience developing technical work documents, procedures, or work packages that incorporate engineering, safety, environmental, radiological, quality, and operational controls.

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 2 years.

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.

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)

§ 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.

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 [email protected] or call (505)-664-6947. Apply