W93 Polymer Product Realization Team Lead; R&D Engineer

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 or R&D Engineer 3 level. As a Product Realization Team (PRT) Lead, you will lead a team responsible for developing and realizing polymer components of the W93/Mk7. You will coordinate the LANL team’s design and development efforts, collaborate with Production Agencies across the Nuclear Security Enterprise (especially KCNSC), plan and manage requirements and interfaces, execute and test products, report status, and deliver a producible, Mark Quality design and product.

• R&D Engineer 2 – Lead the planning, execution, and status reporting for product realization of polymer components. Interface regularly with internal LANL organizations, external production agencies, and external customers to accomplish these activities.
• R&D Engineer 3 – In addition to R&D Engineer 2 duties, perform cross‑cutting work across polymer PRTs, coordinate with QTE (Qualification, Test and Evaluation), evaluate and revise requirements, and provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior staff.

• Engineering Knowledge:
  Demonstrated knowledge of engineering concepts, principles, and practices through experience researching, designing, testing, analyzing, verifying, and validating engineering solutions.
• Engineering Design:
  Experience in the design basis qualification process, including designing, planning, and executing tests or analyses with data needs from multiple stakeholders.
• Project Management:
  Use of project management principles and tools to deliver products on schedule while engaging multiple projects with differing priorities.

• Leadership:
  Ability to work, influence, and lead in an R&D team, mentoring early‑career staff.
• Collaboration:
  
  Record of leading cross‑organizational teams to solve complex problems.
• Engineering Design:
  Experience developing and implementing technical requirements, specifications, plans, reports, and procedures for product realization.
• Networking & Communication:
  Experience integrating with internal and external interfaces, building trust, gaining consensus, and resolving conflicts.
• Program Management:
  Experience overseeing complex/high‑profile projects on schedule and within budget.

• Low level:
  Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (accredited) and 4 years related experience, or equivalent education/experience.
• High level:
  Master’s Degree in Engineering and 6 years related experience, or equivalent, with Ph.D. preferred.

• Experience with nuclear weapon system design and engineering, especially U.S. Navy systems.
• Experience with nuclear weapon development, qualification, certification, assembly/production, or surveillance.
• Engineering degree in a chemical, polymer, or material‑based field.
• Knowledge of chemical sciences and ability to evaluate scientific data from material experiments.
• Knowledge of GD&T and ability to read engineering drawings.
• Understanding of requirements engineering and ability to create, validate, and verify requirements.
• Familiarity with DPBPS.
• Experience with product realization from concept to qualified production.
• Active Q Clearance or ability to obtain it.

Location:

On‑site in Los Alamos, NM. The position commitment is a 1‑year regular appointment.

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with nationwide network.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Basic life and disability insurance.
• Paid childbirth and parental leave.
• Award‑winning 401(k) with 6% matching and 3.5% annual contributions.
• Tuition assistance and learning opportunities.
• Flexible schedule and PTO.
• On‑site gyms and wellness programs.
• Relocation packages for outside a 50‑mile radius.

This role requires a Q Clearance. Candidates must be U.S. citizens except in rare circumstances. Clearances are obtained through a Federal background investigation.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to legal compliance and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Contact applyhelp or call  for accommodation requests.