Research and Development Electrical Engineering (R&D Engineer 2/3)

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2/ R&D Engineer 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 Detonation Science and Technology Group (Q‐6) is the steward of Los Alamos National Laboratories firing control systems. It operates a detonator test laboratory utilizing high speed diagnostics and supports other Los Alamos explosive test facilities in designing, deploying, and maintaining timing, firing, and integrated safety systems, as well as providing technical detonator support in fielding and executing integrated weapon experiments.

Q‐6 is offering an exciting opportunity to be a part of the Applied Engineering and Operations team. We are seeking an enthusiastic and driven individual who can bring skills in engineering design, leadership, and project management. You must be capable of working with small teams on complex initation systems realization efforts associated with Q-6’s growing experimental portfolio and large scale experimental support mission.

You will work with customers and collaborators to ensure programs are supported and programmatic deliverables are met. Strong documentation (writing) skills and ability to present technical information to a wide audience through formal and informal interactions are crucial in this role. You will work daily in a classified setting and must demonstrate a strong commitment towards national security.

R&D Engineer 2 ($94,100-$155,700)

As an R&D Engineer 2, you will be part of a team with responsibilities for the design, fabrication, qualification, installation and maintinence of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s systems with the goal of fielding the safest and most reliable initiation systems that meet current and future mission needs. You will interact with an array of users, customers, and authorizing entities from across LANL and the complex (Nevada National Security Site, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Lawerence Livermore National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory and the National Nuclear Security Administration). You will serve as the point-of-contact for subsystems integrated into testing facilities and as the principal interface with the users operating the systems.

R&D Engineer 3 ($113,100-$190,900)

In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at the R&D Engineer 3 level you will serve as a Technical Project Lead (TPL); potentially interfacing as the lead with the aforementioned entities. The R&D Engineer 3 will mentor junior engineers on the technical aspects of initation system design definition, the realization and qualification process, and assist other engineers in meeting Laboratory deliverables. R&D Engineers at this level represent Q-6 and the program with the respective LANL program managers to secure funding and establish schedules to meet annual deliverables for the program.

This posting is under the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Engineering (ALDW).

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Engineering Knowledge

Candidate must have the ability to read and interpret electrical and mechanical engineering design drawings. Experience with advanced design and analysis tools such as schematic capture tools, analog/digital simulation, electromagnetic design, circuit board layout, and signal integrity analysis. Knowledge of PC board layout practices as it pertains to critical stack up and controlled impedance designs; experience with signal integrity analysis particularly as it pertains to very low noise designs.

The successful candidate must have proven experience in at least one of the following areas.

• Digital Design: Synchronous design, synthesis, routing, simulation, testing, and technical documentation of FPGA or other digital circuits; VHDL or Verilog; Test benches for FPGA or ASIC based design; Digital circuit card design

• Analog Design: Low noise analog design particularly for use with sensors; mixed analog/digital systems; High-speed analog to digital conversion (gigasample).

• Power Supply Design: Linear regulators and switch mode power DC/DC converters; Power supply filtering, switching devices, protection and gate drives; Power supply control theory, analysis and testing;

• RF/Microwave: RF/microwave components and their system applications (amplifiers, receivers, synthesizers); Fabrication and packaging for RF/microwave circuits and systems; Transmission lines, impedance matching, and signal integrity; Designing various antenna topologies.

Communication and Teamwork

You must be able to confidently represent the organization in interactions with Laboratory personnel, internal/external customers, and personnel from across the Nuclear Security Enterprise. Demonstrated ability to effectively present work objectives and results to all levels of internal and external stakeholders. Experience working in a team environment as demonstrated by successful implementation of design requirements.

Additional Job Requirements for the R&D Engineer 3 level:

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

Technical Leadership

Extensive and demonstrable technical knowledge, experience, and ability to provide technical leadership on designs and testing. Experience leading efforts in designing, planning, and executing projects associated with system realization. Proven ability to successfully lead a sub-system and/or system that has been deployed to a challenging operational environment such as space.

Additional Communication and Teamwork Skills

Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to interact effectively with all levels of internal and external peers, customers, and stakeholders. Ability to effectively accomplish work without considerable direction; expect significant latitude in determining objectives of assignments, and determine the methods and procedures needed for new assignments. Demonstrated ability to innovate toward new solutions, and a passion for technical challenge that enables learning through both success and failure.

Education/Experience at the R&D Engineer 2 level: Position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at the R&D Engineer 3 level: Position requires a Master’s Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution and 6 yearsor more of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with firing control systems and high reliability hardware development and testing methods.

• Experience leading a small team of junior engineers and skilled technicians from design concept through to completed systems.

• Experience with RF antenna pattern measurements and EMI characterization.

• Knowledge of digital communication systems and/or other digital signal processing.

• Knowledge of configuration management and formal verification methods.

• Experience leading small projects including financial responsibility.

Location: This position will be located in Los Alamos, NM.

COVID Vaccine :

The COVID vaccine is mandatory for all Laboratory employees, on-site contractors, and on-site subcontractors unless granted an accommodation under applicable state or federal law. This requirement will apply to those working on-site, those teleworking, and all new hires.

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.

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 (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). Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements

• for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance which requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon position, additional authorization to access nuclear weapons information may be required that may or may not be available to dual citizens depending upon the circumstances.

• 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.

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 and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, 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 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 1-505-665-4444 option 1. Employment Status

Full Time

Appointment Type

Regular

Regular

Contact Details
Contact Name Ferguson, Leslie Nichole
Email [email protected]
Work Telephone
Vacancy Name: IRC103195
Organization Name Q-6 / Detonator Science & Technology
Minimum Salary
Maximum Salary
Req ID: IRC103195
Category: Engineering