R&D Mechanical​/Structural Analyst; R&D Engineer

Organization and Purpose

The Dynamic Structure, Design, & Engineering (J‑2) Group is a core component of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Integrated Weapons Experiments (J) Division. The J‑2 Analysis Team’s mission is to provide high‑fidelity engineering analyses for the design, evaluation, and certification of shock and fragment‑loaded systems and structures that are critical to the nation’s Stockpile Stewardship and Modernization efforts.

In this role, the selected candidate will be a technical resource who translates complex physics‑based phenomena into robust, code‑compliant engineering solutions. Leveraging state‑of‑the‑art finite element (FEM) tools, advanced fatigue and fracture mechanics methodologies, and rigorous fitness‑for‑service (FFS) assessments, the candidate will develop and execute analytical workflows that underpin design decisions, risk assessments, and life‑extension strategies for impulsively loaded vessels and hardware.

Work is performed with appropriate guidance and collaboration, including engagement with senior engineers and subject matter experts to ensure technical quality, consistency, and alignment with established methodologies.

In addition to the responsibilities outlined at Level 3, the candidate will lead and advance engineering rigor and method development across the J‑2 Analysis Team. Responsibilities include establishing and maintaining best practice standards, developing and enforcing verification and validation (V&V) protocols, ensuring high‑quality technical documentation, independently leading complex or high‑consequence analyses, leading peer reviews, providing technical mentorship to junior analysts, and serving as a key resource for challenging analytical efforts.

• Engineering: application of high‑fidelity finite element (FEA) techniques to evaluate dynamically loaded structures and conduct fitness for service (linear‑elastic fatigue crack growth) assessments of impulsively loaded vessels and components. Experience with FEM packages (e.g., ABAQUS, ANSYS, LS DYNA) for dynamic‑explicit modeling. Background in fatigue, fracture mechanics, and life prediction methods with familiarity with ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII, Division 3 and API 579 Fitness for Service.
• Design: utilization of solid model geometry from CAD packages such as Solid Works or CREO in the preparation of FEA models, meshes, and design iterations under appropriate boundary conditions, material models, and dynamic loading cases. Translate designs into robust analysis models to produce clear analytical reports and visualizations that convey design functionality and compliance with requirements to broad audiences.
• Communication
  
  Skills:
  
  ability to present complex technical issues – both verbally and in written form – to stakeholders with varied technical backgrounds, including peers, program managers, functional managers, and external customers. Deliver concise technical briefs, detailed analysis reports, and risk‑based recommendations that support program‑level decision making.

• Engineering and Technical Leadership: advanced knowledge and a proven record of designing, planning, and executing R&D projects that extend the state‑of‑the‑art in analysis of dynamic, impulsive loading, high‑rate material behavior, and multi‑physics coupling. Develop and institutionalize group‑wide technical requirements, specifications, analysis plans, reports, and standard operating procedures for FEM, fatigue, fracture, and FFS work, ensuring consistency across all J‑2 projects. Comfortable interpreting consensus codes such as ASME BPVC Section VIII, Division 3 as they apply to specific vessel and impulsively loaded structure applications.
  
  Support the development of technical standards, and policy documents that shape group engineering practices for impulsively loaded structures and vessel assessments.

R&D Engineer 3:
Master’s Degree in Engineering and 6 years of related experience; a Ph.D. may be preferred. R&D Engineer 4:
Master’s Degree in Engineering and…