Job Information
Los Alamos National Laboratory Weapons Response Liaison (R&D Engineer 2/3) in Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 or 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 Weapon Systems Safety Analysis Group (W-10) is seeking to fill a Weapon Response (WR) Liaison (R&D Engineer 2/3). This is an onsite position stationed in Amarillo TX at the Pantex Plant.
The successful candidate will work along a motivated, multidisciplinary team of Weapon Response Analysts to characterize LANL's standpoint on our components, systems, sub-systems and assemblies and their responses to hazard scenarios.The individual will serve as the W-10 weapon response liaison between W-10, Pantex, and the National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA), often requiring communication and coordination with external design agencies (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), and the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE)).
The position directly supports nuclear explosive safety, stockpile sustainment, and regulatory compliance across LANL, Pantex and NNSA operations.
R&D Engineer 2 $106,400 - $176,000
Key Responsibilities:
Participate in hazard analysis task teams, engineering task teams, and development and troubleshooting walkdowns.
Support implementing component responses into WR rules, integrate joint Design Agency rules, develop and map rules to hazards in the weapons response code (WRC).
Participate in the development of WR summary documents and Engineering Authorizations (Information Engineering Releases).
Author technical reports and revise/align technical basis documents with DOE standards.
Work with the W-10 Pantex Liaison to collaborate with Subject Matter Experts and present technical basis information to stakeholders such as NNSA, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB), and Safety Basis Review Teams.
Coordinate response to safety questions, support safety determinations, and provide formal technical responses (e.g., LOIs, RFIs).
Collaborate with NNSA project teams, maintain M&O partnerships.
Participate in change control processes and support validation of safety analysis tools and systems.
R&D Engineer 3 $128,000 - $215,900
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level:
Independently implement component responses into WR rules, integrate joint Design Agency rules, and map rules to hazards in the weapons response code (WRC).
Author WR summary documents and Engineering Authorizations (Information Engineering Releases).
Recommend safety controls to management and operating contractors.
Author technical reports and revise/align technical basis documents with DOE standards.
Lead collaborations with Subject Matter Experts and present technical basis information to stakeholders such as NNSA, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB), and Safety Basis Review Teams.
Lead and coordinate the response to safety questions, support safety determinations, and provide formal technical responses (e.g., LOIs, RFIs).
Contribute to Warhead Side Sessions, Nuclear Explosive Safety Study activities, and Joint Working Group collaborations.
Collaborate with NNSA project teams, maintain M&O partnerships.
Manage project budgets, schedules, and deliverables and mitigate programmatic risks.
Participate in change control processes and support validation of safety analysis tools and systems.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Nuclear Explosive Operations: Knowledge and experience in one or more area of nuclear or explosive operations, including safety, safeguards, and security requirements, radiation protection, waste management, criticality safety, conduct of operations and authorization basis, nuclear safety management implementation.
Hazard Analysis & Risk Assessment : Experience in identifying potential safety, operational, or environmental risks and developing and implementing effective controls to mitigate risks and support safe operations.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement: Strong collaboration and communication skills to effectively engage with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
Engineering Authorizations: Experience coordinating the development of Informational Engineering Releases (IERs) and authoring engineering authorizations.
Skills: Analytical thinking, communication, conflict resolution, data mining, technical debate, negotiation, problem solving, technical presentation, and technical writing
Clearance: The ability to obtain and maintain a Q-Clearance and Sigma 15 authorization.
Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 3 level:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
Technical Project Management : Demonstrated ability in technical project management (scope, schedule, budget, risk).
Strategic Leadership: Strategic leadership skills to provide clear vision and direction to collaborate with various stakeholders concerning LANL weapon response in a dynamic safety analysis environment.
Communication & Technical Writing: Proven ability to analyze technical data, with focus on assessing risk as it relates to Weapon Response, identifying trends to help align work scope with LANL strategic goals, and present findings to a wide range of audiences.
Education/Experience at R&D Engineer 2 level: 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.
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. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.
Desired Qualifications:
Knowledge of weapon component design, development, and production.
Experience in formal hazard analysis and safety basis processes.
Experience in probabilistic risk assessment methodologies and applications in nuclear explosive operations.
Knowledge of Nuclear Safety Management DOE orders, regulations, and standards.
Experience working with classified material and as a Derivative Classifier (DC).
Knowledge of engineering authorization systems, document configuration management systems (e.g., PDM Link or like software) and applications to stockpile maintenance and configuration management.
Active Q clearance.
Work Location: This is an onsite position in Amarillo, TX, at the Pantex Plant.
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:
Moderate travel required.
For full consideration, applicants are required to submit a comprehensive cover letter detailing knowledge, skills, and abilities against the required and desired skills.
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)
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 (https://int.lanl.gov/org/ddops/oma/prime-contract-management/applicable-directives/_assets/docs/DOE-O-206.2-Chg-2-LtdChg-Identity,-Credential,-and-Access-Management-ICAM-1.pdf) . 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 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-border-a-chg1-ltdchg/@@images/file) 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 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) 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.