Job Information
Los Alamos National Laboratory RD Engineer 3/4 (Process Control & Automation) in Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
The Product Realization and Reliability Office (PRRO) in Pit Technologies consists of a multidisciplinary group of engineers and scientists that support plutonium programs (i.e., pit production, surveillance, research & development, and subcritical experiments) across the entire Pit Technologies (PT) Division.
The PT Division is seeking a seasoned Process Automation & Control Engineer to lead a team of automation specialists. As the Team Lead, you will take on a leadership role, guiding a team of dedicated engineers in the design, development, and implementation of cutting-edge automation solutions. You'll lead by example, leveraging your expertise to drive innovation, optimize operations, and deliver results that propel PT Division forward. Collaboration, mentorship, and a drive for continuous improvement will be key to success in this role.
We value diverse skills and experience. Our employees come from all different backgrounds. If you're passionate about what you could accomplish here, we'd love to hear from you.
R&D Engineer 3 $122,300 - $206,300
At the R&D Engineer 3 level the selected candidate will be responsible for detailed analyses that will cover a wide range of difficult problems requiring solutions that are imaginative, thorough, practicable, and consistent with organizational objectives. The analysis tasks will span the spectrum from simple problems requiring classical hand calculations to highly sophisticated multi-physics problems requiring the utilization of state-of-the-art finite element methods with commercial computer codes. The analyst will be held accountable for completing and documenting his/her work within the agreed upon cost and schedule. Additionally, the selected candidate will be expected to present their work for peer reviews and to be a peer reviewer for other engineers' work.
R&D Engineer 4 $146,800 - $254,700
In addition to what was outlined at the R&D Engineer 3 level, at the R&D Engineer 4 level you are expected to have a very high degree of relevant technical competence and be a recognized technical leader and/or leader of teams of engineering analysts. You will be required to provide technical leadership and oversight to members of an analysis team, interface with customers, and engage in strategic planning to advance LANL's capabilities. You will also be responsible for the comprehensive review and approval of all technical work produced by the analysts on your team. Mentoring of early career staff is mandatory at this R&D level.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Expertise in PLC programming (Rockwell Automation, Siemens, or similar platforms) and HMI/SCADA systems.
Strong understanding of control systems theory, instrumentation, and process optimization.
Experience in the areas of design and implementation of control system hardware and field instruments such as thermocouples, valves, pumps, motors, interlocks, flowmeters, furnaces, power supplies, and associated field wiring.
Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
Familiarity with industry standards, regulations, and best practices (e.g., ISA, ANSI, NEC).
Strong documentation skills including demonstrated ability to document technical results in a formal method/format.
Thorough knowledge in applying fundamental techniques and engineering best practices.
Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 4:
In addition to the minimum job requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requ i res:
Advanced experience in aspects of project management of technical work, including defining work scope, schedules, budgets, priorities, and performance milestones; developing cost, scope, and schedule baselines.
Experience mentoring early career engineers.
Ability to effectively mentor and develop team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
Proven track record of successfully leading cross-functional teams and delivering complex automation projects on time and within budget.
Education/Experience for R&D Engineer 3: Position requires a Master's degree in Aero or Mechanical 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 for R&D Engineer 4: Position requires a Master's degree in Aero or Mechanical 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.
DOE O. 426.2: Requires a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering or related science, 2 years job related experience, and 1 year of nuclear experience.
Q Clearance: This position requires a Q clearance and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by, or on behalf of, the Federal Government for access to classified matter.
Desired Qualifications:
Knowledge of protocols such as Modbus, OPC, Profibus, and Ethernet/IP for integrating control systems with various devices and equipment.
Knowledge of industrial processes such as electrorefining, induction heating, or machining.
Knowledge of engineering principles and procedures, safety basis interaction, design guides, standards, and administrative practices as applied to DOE non-reactor nuclear facilities.
Experience with Process Automation & Controls in a weapons Production Agency.
Experience with simulation software (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink) for modeling and simulating control systems.
Experience with nuclear weapon system engineering within a Design or Production Agency.
Active Q Clearance
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 1 year.
Note to Applicants:
For full consideration submit a comprehensive resume and include a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet each of the minimum requirements and any of the desired qualifications.
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 (https://directives.nnsa.doe.gov/supplemental-directive/sd-0206-0002) . 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-chg1-pgchg) 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 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) 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, 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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2 and then option 3.