Modeling and Simulation Engineer; R&D Engineer

What You Will Do

The Advanced Engineering Analysis (AEA) Group, E-13, seeks a motivated, experienced analyst to tackle some of the most technically challenging problems in national security. E-13 provides expertise in modeling and simulation, material modeling, post‑processing, and interpretation of results for high‑consequence systems. The group brings together experts in structural mechanics, dynamics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and radiation transport to deliver high‑fidelity engineering insight.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and see your analyses influence design, testing, and mission outcomes.

• Develop and execute high‑fidelity structural mechanics simulations
• Build, validate, and maintain complex FEA models
• Analyze system and component behavior under mechanical and thermal environments
• Collaborate closely with design, systems, and test engineers
• Present findings to technical teams and program stakeholders

• Lead complex, multi‑physics analysis efforts
• Mentor early‑career engineers and grow team capability
• Set technical direction and influence modeling strategy
• Build strong collaborations across the weapons program and beyond
• Interface directly with stakeholders to define analysis approaches and communicate constraints and limitations

• Documented record of technical achievement in a relevant engineering discipline such as mechanical, structural, civil, or aerospace
• Ability to operate across fidelity levels—from first‑principles calculations to large‑scale simulations
• Experience with FEA preprocessors such as Cubit and FEA software such as Abaqus or Ansys
• Demonstrated ability to model complex systems exposed to a wide range of mechanical and thermal environments
• Experience interpreting and clearly communicating simulation results in the context of real systems

• Experience with meshing, material models, contact, and post-processing
• Experience developing or applying computational engineering tools (Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar)
• Exposure to parallel computing or large‑scale simulations is a plus

• Ability to clearly communicate complex technical ideas
• Experience defining scope, meeting deadlines, and contributing to project planning
• Ability to deliver work independently and within teams
• Committed to technical rigor and peer review

• Demonstrated leadership in engineering analysis teams
• Experience integrating multi‑physics models across structural, thermal, and mechanical domains
• Demonstrated ability to define project scope, schedule, and deliverables and work with customers

• R&D Engineer 2:
  Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering plus 4 years of related experience (or equivalent education and experience)
• R&D Engineer 3:
  Master’s Degree in Engineering plus 6 years of related experience (or equivalent, Ph.D. preferred)

• Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent
• Structural mechanics and thermal experience
• Analysis or testing related to weapons structures
• Instrumentation, signal processing, and data processing related to structural and thermal applications
• Other relevant experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Weapons engineering
  • Verification and validation of complex models
  • Modern programming languages (Python, MATLAB, C++)
  • Modern software development tools (Sphinx, Git Lab, Confluence, unit testing, documentation, etc.)
  • Data analysis / signal processing
  • Parallel computing
  • Computational workflow automation
  • Error and uncertainty analysis
  • Weapons physics

Onsite in Los Alamos, NM (location at management discretion). Some travel may be required.

Regular appointment employees are required to serve continuous service in their current position to be eligible for posted jobs. Commitment for this position is 1 year.

• PPO or high‑deductible medical insurance with large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award‑winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities…