Controls and Timing R&D Engineer

What You Will Do

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

At the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), engineers operate and modernize an 800‑MeV proton accelerator complex that supports national security, isotope production, proton radiography, materials research, neutron science, future accelerator missions, and more.

The selected candidate will join the Controls and Timing Systems Team within AOT-IC, the Instrumentation and Controls Group in LANL's Accelerator Operations and Technology Division. This team designs, operates, and modernizes the controls, instrumentation, electronics, data acquisition, and timing systems that allow LANSCE to deliver particle beams safely and reliably.

This is a hands‑on, results‑driven engineering role supporting a large, distributed, timing‑critical accelerator facility. The team works close to operations, moves quickly from problem identification to practical solutions, and values engineers who can turn ideas into reliable systems in the field. The selected candidate will help design, test, troubleshoot, install, maintain, and upgrade systems that directly support beam delivery, equipment protection, diagnostics, and experimental performance.

• Accelerator control system development
• Timing and synchronization systems
• PLC and HMI systems
• EPICS‑based distributed controls
• Sensor and instrumentation selection
• Data acquisition and archiving
• Hands‑on troubleshooting
• Hardware/software integration
• Test stand development
• Legacy system modernization
• Installation, testing, commissioning, and operational support
• Project leadership and cross‑team collaboration

This position will also support control system upgrades associated with the LANSCE Modernization Project, giving the selected candidate the opportunity to join at a pivotal time for the facility and help drive a major modernization effort focused on improving reliability, maintainability, performance, and long‑term accelerator operations.

At the lower level, the selected candidate will be expected to contribute to controls and timing projects under the direction of more senior engineers. The candidate should have a strong engineering foundation, hands‑on technical capability, and experience or academic achievement in areas such as control systems, automation, electronics, instrumentation, data acquisition, PLCs, HMIs, or operations support. This level requires the ability to learn complex accelerator systems, support installation and troubleshooting activities, work safely in an operational environment, and help complete multiple technical tasks with changing priorities.

At the higher level, the selected candidate will be expected to work more independently and take ownership of controls and timing projects from concept through completion. This includes applying robust systems engineering principles to define requirements, develop system architectures, manage interfaces, document designs, verify performance, support commissioning, and close out projects. The candidate should have a strong record of technical accomplishments, demonstrated experience supporting complex operational systems, and the ability to lead project execution, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, troubleshoot higher‑complexity issues, and mentor less‑experienced staff.

Candidates that meet the degree requirement, but who do not meet the two‑year experience requirement, are encouraged to apply and may be considered for hire through an allowable variance.

• Experience with one of the following: programmable logic controllers (PLCs), microcontrollers or embedded systems, analog or digital electronics design and troubleshooting
• Ability to create, read, and interpret electrical schematics
• Ability to troubleshoot electronics and controls systems to the component or subsystem level; ability to support the planning and successful completion of multiple projects with changing priorities,…