Mechanical Test Engineer; R&D Engineer

What You Will Do

The Test Engineering Group (V-14) of the Verification and Validation Division (V) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a test engineer to support the weapons mission. The successful candidate will serve as a test engineer engaged in component, subsystem and system level testing. The test engineer is responsible for developing test requirements, researching and implementing instrumentation and data acquisition, designing, analyzing, and building test fixtures, scheduling, executing, and maintaining tests, technical oversight to team members, data analysis and formal test reporting.

Testing activities require working in a team environment with other engineers, scientists, and technicians within LANL, DOE, DoD, and other institutions. While the mechanical team does perform standard material characterization tests, their specialty lies with non-standard weapon component level tests. Their capabilities range from standard compression and tension to impact, torsion and cyclic in quasi-static, intermediate and dynamic environments. Compliance with LANL and facility safety and security practices and delivering accurate test results in a team effort are central to all testing efforts.

Additional job responsibilities include participating in the development of new testing technologies and facilities and implementing quality assurance requirements. Performance of job responsibilities will require working in controlled hazardous environments that may include radiation generating devices, radioactive materials, high explosives, and other hazardous materials. The ability to provide clear, timely, and technically accurate direction to test support technicians is part of the job duties.

Minimum

Job Requirements:

• Test Management:
  Demonstrated experience and knowledge of test engineering including test design, planning, preparation, execution, and documenting of experimental work.
• Ability to work on multiple projects concurrently and with changing priorities while delivering results on schedule.
• Ability to accomplish technical tasks while working independently or as part of a team with other engineers, scientists, and technicians.
• Experience with setup, operation, troubleshooting and maintenance of electromechanical and or hydraulic load frames.

• Analysis and Reporting:
  Demonstrated experience in interpreting experimental data such as load, displacement, stress, and strain.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in the use of specialized engineering software for data acquisition and analysis, such as Python, MATLAB, Lab View, or other similar software packages.

• Communication:
  Demonstrated interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and experience interacting with all levels of personnel and customers.
• Ability to advise and guide experimental work including mentoring junior staff, students or technicians.

Education/

Experience:

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.

Desired

Qualifications:

• Advanced engineering degrees like MS in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Material characterization and mechanical testing experience.
• Demonstrated experience with digital image correlation.
• Demonstrated experience in nuclear weapons testing and qualification.
• Active Q clearance.

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):
Sitting, standing, climbing stairs, reaching overhead and down, bending, stooping, and lifting 10-50 pounds.

Work Environment: Position involves working around and possibly handling high explosives as well as being near sources of non-ionizing radiation.

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, applicants must submit a comprehensive cover letter that addresses the key requirements of the position.
• 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…