Electrical Engineer; R&D Engineer

What You Will Do

The selected candidate will join the Protective Systems Team at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), a premier accelerator facility. You will design, implement, and maintain critical interlock and protection systems that ensure the safety of both personnel and accelerator equipment. This hands‑on engineering role includes developing and supporting PLCs, analog/digital circuits, and FPGA‑based systems, performing in‑house hardware repairs and upgrades, and troubleshooting using tools like oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.

You’ll also support the installation and operation of safety‑critical systems in a high‑reliability, high‑impact scientific environment.

This Electrical Engineering position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 1 or R&D Engineer 2 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.

As part of this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Maintain and support critical personnel and equipment protection systems at the LANSCE Accelerator Facility.
• Design, test, implement, and document new and upgraded protective systems, including schematics and drawings.
• Troubleshoot and develop digital, analog, and mixed‑signal electronics, including PLCs, FPGAs, microcontrollers, and PCB design.
• Complete formal training and participate in an on‑call rotation, including occasional nights and weekends to.
• Collaborate with cross‑disciplinary teams and support system installations, including outdoor work, ladder use, and entry into controlled radiation areas when needed.

In addition to the duties outlined above, the higher level title will have the opportunity to:

• Lead design, testing, fabrication, and installation of R&D projects, including scheduling, cost estimates, and status reporting.
• Collaborate on designs across teams, divisions, and external partners.
• Provide technical leadership and mentor team members.
• Develop technical reports, schematics, and presentation materials.

• Proven experience in designing both analog and digital electronic circuits.
• Skilled in troubleshooting complex systems using tools such as oscilloscopes, DVMs, and function generators.
• Proficient in reading and interpreting schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical drawings.
• Knowledge of multiple programming languages, including embedded C, Verilog/VHDL, and ladder logic.
• Familiar with low‑level FPGA and microcontroller development.
• Experienced with CAD/ECAD software such as AutoCAD, Mentor Graphics, or Altium Designer.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance (U.S. citizenship typically required).

• Experience providing technical direction to technologists, technicians, and junior engineers.
• Experience in writing and reviewing technical documents such as system operating/testing procedures and engineering design changes.
• Demonstrated mixed signal design work, preferably incorporating bare metal FPGAs and/or microcontrollers into custom PCBs.

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution related to the occupation combined with 2 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and technical experience directly related to the occupation.

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.

• Strong PLC background, including Allen‑Bradley networks, ladder logic, and Panel View configuration.
• Experience designing relay‑based interlock systems.
• Proficient in PCB layout, sourcing, fabrication, and troubleshooting.
• Skilled in translating designs into technical drawings and documentation.
• Full lifecycle experience with electronic devices, from requirements and prototyping to installation, testing, and documentation.

For full consideration,…