R&D Engineer 3

Company: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Location: Las Vegas
Posted on: May 27, 2023

Job Description:

What You Will Do

The Integrated Weapons Experiments (J) Division, J Division Nevada Operations (J-NV) Group is looking for a R&D Engineer 3 to support the mission of stockpile stewardship and global security high explosives experiments at Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). This position is fulltime, located at NNSS, and requires living in the Las Vegas, Nevada area.

J-NV is the 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 lead the planning, fielding, executing, and post-shot operations for dynamic explosives experiments. The candidate will be the lead interface between programs, J-NV, and the NNSS Management and Operations (M&O) contractor. He or she will develop schedules and cost estimates, coordinate planning meetings, and direct LANL and M&O staff during setup and execution of experiments.

The candidate will be physically located in Nevada and perform activities to support the stockpile stewardship and global security programs. This position will require occasional travel and requires candidates to obtain and maintain a Q-clearance as well as participate in LANL's Human Reliability Program certification.

R&D Engineer 3

As a R&D Engineer 3, the candidate will manage and field dynamic explosives experiments. The candidate will establish technical requirements for the project; define project deliverables, budgets, and schedules; and oversee large, multidisciplinary project teams during setup and execution. He or she will lead the coordination between program management, NNSA management, NNSS M&O staff, and J-NV. You will assist the team in the development of safety analysis and procedures, experimental setup, data collection, and post-shot work such as cleanup and waste disposal. You will be expected to lead fielding operations, including directing and assigning work for all involved personnel, making tactical decisions for technical issues, and hands-on involvement in the experiment including performing diagnostic setup and explosives handling. You will support Underground Subcritical Experiment Operations when required. Your responsibilities will include interfacing and integrating with a cross-organizational team that includes personnel from across the DOE complex and other government agencies.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Project Management

• Experience developing cost estimates and schedules.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully plan, organize, and lead technical projects involving numerous companies or agencies to completion while managing changing requirements.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in identifying potential project risks, technical and safety hazards, developing mitigation or corrective actions for safety and schedule risks or hazards, and recommending risk acceptance/avoidance for all aspects of the projects. Technical & Field Experience
  • Advanced knowledge and experience in hazardous dynamic experimentation, data collection, engineering, fabrication, and associated safety requirements.
  • Experience working with M&O contractors in the DOE nuclear weapons complex, especially the NNSS M&O.
  • Knowledge of nuclear weapon design and experience in component testing.
  • Experience with the design, fabrication, inspection and precision assembly of complex systems.
  • Extensive experience fielding complex experiments and tactical decision making to adapt to technical challenges. Communication Skills
    • Advanced experience collaborating with customers and support organizations to define scope and schedule, accommodate changing requirements.
    • Demonstrated ability to identify issues, communicate to stakeholders, and lead resolution efforts.
    • Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication to all levels of staff, from technicians to NNSA management. Desired Qualifications:
      • Experience in hazardous operations including high explosives, radiological material, and/or radiography.
      • Experience using heavy machinery including forklifts, cranes, tractors, etc.
      • Advanced knowledge of Department of Defense nuclear weapon Stockpile-to-Target Sequence and Military Characteristic requirements.
      • Experience in Nuclear Conduct of Operations.
      • Q-clearance
        Education:
        
        Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 6 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
        
        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: 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
        
        Location: This position will be located in Las Vegas, Nevada - NNSS
        
        This position is located at the NNSS and is located about 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NV. Employees can take a commuter bus, carpool, or drive to work locations. Once at the work location, experiment sites can be an additional 30 to 50 miles. Employees must factor in an extra 1 to 1 - hours commute each way to the 10-hour workday (employees work a 4-day/10- hour day schedule).
        
        Work at the NNSS usually results in long days that start at sunup and end late in the day. Work locations can be 1000 feet underground or in the middle of the desert. Temperatures can vary from below freezing to above 100 degrees.
        
        This position requires periodic travel from Las Vegas, NV to Los Alamos, NM for training and project-specific requirements.
        
        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 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. 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/SCI(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.
        
        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.
        
        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 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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-665-4444 option 1.Employment StatusFull TimeAppointment TypeRegularRegular
        Fraud Warning:
        
        Unfortunately, employment scams are real. Sometimes bad actors try to impersonate a hiring organization in an attempt to gain an applicant's personal or financial information.
        
        Please be aware that Los Alamos National Laboratory will never ask for funds for equipment or otherwise at any stage of the application or employment process. Official correspondence with the Laboratory will come from an email ending in lanl.gov.
        
        If you feel that you have been the victim of a scam, please contact your local law enforcement agency.

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