Process Engineer; R&D Engineer

Overview

The Nuclear Materials Science Group (MST-16) seeks a highly skilled and motivated R&D Engineer to support research of plutonium materials at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The position encompasses a wide range of activities, including providing system engineering oversight as the primary technical interface for assigned facility systems. This includes ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant operation through design review, maintenance oversight, configuration management, and application of engineering standards.

The role also offers the opportunity, if desired, to perform hands-on sample preparation and characterization in a glovebox environment. MST-16 maintains multidisciplinary expertise in actinide materials science, supporting projects across fundamentals to applied programs important to US interests in energy and national security.

Work takes place in facilities including PF-4, RLUOB, TFF, and other LANL locations.

• R&D Engineer 1:
  Ensure that new and modified operations and equipment comply with safety basis documents including the Documented Safety Analysis (DSA) and Technical Safety Requirements (TSRs); ensure these are reviewed and approved by applicable safety management programs.
• R&D Engineer 1:
  Manage equipment maintenance through preventive and predictive maintenance plans and implement corrective maintenance solutions by initiating programmatic maintenance and facility service requests.
• R&D Engineer 1:
  Manage and maintain equipment configuration management by ensuring drawings and data in electronic databases (e.g., Master Equipment List) are consistent and aligned with actual in-field configuration.
• R&D Engineer 1:
  Remain cognizant of system-specific maintenance and operations history, industry operating experience, manufacturer recommendations, and product warnings for assigned systems.
• R&D Engineer 1:
  Serve as a writer and reviewer for work authorizing documents and safety management evaluations.
• R&D Engineer 1:
  Contribute to milestones and programmatic objectives; assure safety and security compliance and maintain required training, integrating safety and security into every task, including stopping work if unsafe or compromising security.
• R&D Engineer 2:
  Successfully complete oral board qualification as a process engineer for MST-16 applicable processes and systems.
• R&D Engineer 2:
  Independently facilitate new installations and decommissioning of instruments and equipment to enhance the programmatic portfolio.
• R&D Engineer 2:
  Assume significant responsibility for safety/security envelopes for projects and may work in high-consequence safety environments.
• R&D Engineer 2:
  Serve as a liaison between organizations to maintain cognizance of assigned systems, providing system engineering support for operations and maintenance, and supporting line management safety responsibilities.
• R&D Engineer 2:
  Serve in supplementary officer roles (e.g., Pressure Safety Officer, Electrical Safety Officer, Mechanical Material Handler Coordinator, Subcontractor Technical Representative, Derivative Classifier).
• R&D Engineer 2:
  Procure parts or guide procurement to ensure compliance with quality and management requirements, addressing procurement issues via nonconformance reporting.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Experience with facility integrations and collaboration with safety management programs.
• Demonstrated dependability and ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to technical and scientific excellence and timeliness of deliverables.
• Proven ability to document technical work and express ideas clearly in oral and written formats.
• Ability to obtain DOE Q clearance (usually requires U.S. Citizenship).
• Ability to obtain unescorted access to a nuclear facility.

Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution related to the occupation, combined with 2 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and technical experience.

Candidates meeting the degree requirement but not the two-year experience requirement may be considered for hire through an allowable variance.

Education/Experience at higher level: 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.

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical, Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, or other related engineering field.
• Demonstrated breadth in experimental equipment utilization and maintenance.
• Documented experience implementing and advancing quality programs and practices.
• Documented record of working safely and responsibly in a nuclear facility or with special nuclear materials.
• Experience working with classified documents and items.
• DOE laboratory complex experience.
• Train and qualify as a Criticality Safety Officer (CSO).
• Ability to obtain FMH glovebox worker…