Neutron, Gamma-ray Particle Sensing Project Chief Engineer; R&D Engineer

What You Will Do

The Intelligence and Space Research (ISR) division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead the technical execution of current and next-generation space-based payloads in the Neutron, Gamma-ray, and Particle Sensing (NGPS) project as part of the Space Nuclear Detonation Detection (SNDD) program.

The SNDD program supports U.S. National Security by developing, delivering, and assuring the performance of space-based sensing payloads to detect, measure, and report nuclear detonations anywhere on the surface of the Earth, in the atmosphere, or in near‑earth space. The NGPS project integrates advanced radiation sensing technologies with robust space systems to provide continuous global monitoring and treaty verification capabilities hosted on geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites.

In this role, you will partner with the project leadership team and guide a multidisciplinary engineering team through the full lifecycle of payload development—from concept and design through manufacture, test, integration, launch, and on‑orbit performance assurance. The responsibilities for this position include:

• Define and implement appropriate engineering policies, processes, and standards to support the design, integration, and production of the NGPS payloads.
• Develop and maintain a deep system‑level understanding of current payload design, performance and on‑orbit behavior to support operations and anomaly resolution.
• Lead technical efforts to resolve issues related to payload design, host integration, and on‑orbit operations.
• Provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary engineering team (electrical, software, mechanical, and systems engineering) to ensure successful project execution.
• Serve as a core member of the project leadership team, contributing to decisions on cost, schedule, scope, risk, and staffing.

• Experience in electrical, mechanical, software, or systems engineering design from concept through production.
• Experience developing system architectures and concepts that were successfully implemented and utilized.
• Experience in system test, integration, and validation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical anomaly resolutions and debugging efforts.

• Experience leading engineers, technologists, and technicians for medium to large projects.
• Demonstrated ability to define technical strategy and program direction.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, with all levels of staff and customers.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across organizational boundaries.
• Strong conflict resolution and interpersonal skills.

• Proven ability to work independently and in multi‑organizational teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and changing priorities and to create detailed action plans.
• Demonstrated ability to foster innovation, technical excellence, and creativity.

• Experience fostering team cohesion with a diverse group of technicians, engineers, and scientists.
• Ability to leverage ingenuity, creativity, and personal independence to support multiple and concurrent team tasks.

Position requires a Master’s degree in engineering from an accredited institution and 12 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

• Experience with space flight and high‑reliability hardware development and testing methods.
• Experience developing radiation detection systems (gamma‑ray, neutron, or particle sensing).
• Experience leading engineers and technicians from design concept through completed systems.
• Experience with Radiation Hardness Assurance and High Reliability Parts Standards.
• Demonstrated experience working with and handling classified information.

• Sitting and standing:
  Ability to remain in a stationary seated or standing position for extended periods, with requirements for sitting sometimes exceeding 50% of the workday.
• Mobility:
  Ability to walk at least 0.25 mile continuously,…