QTE Engineer ; R&D Engineer

What You Will Do

Q-6 is offering an exciting opportunity to be a part of the Detonation Science and Technology Group. The Group is seeking a mid-level R&D Engineer. You will work closely with a diverse group of engineers, technologists and technicians on initiation train design, advanced diagnostic design, high explosive detonator testing, experiment fielding, and high voltage and laser operations to support experiments. You will work in areas involving high consequences for safety that might be in the form of chemicals, high explosives, high-power lasers, and high-energy devices.

The Detonation Science and Technology Group (Q-6) serves the Laboratory and the Nation providing the knowledge base and component design responsibilities for the Nuclear Weapons Program and other critical national security areas. The Group's capabilities include design engineering for nuclear weapon detonators and detonator cable assemblies, design, fabrication, qualification, and installation of test fire control systems, pulse power engineering, advanced detonator design and testing, and applied problem solving.

Additional capabilities include expertise in the detonation science and physics of detonator energetic materials, and engineering responsibility for the cradle to grave care of the detonators and detonator cable assemblies used by Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The successful candidate will work within the Future Systems Innovation and Development team with the W93 Product Realization Teams. You will be responsible for leading the qualification, test and evaluation (QTE) for the advanced sensors and detonator cable assembly efforts. You will lead testing and verification effort to mature new technologies and assert reliability in environments. You will work the design, testing, requirements development, component verification, and qualifications of next generation diagnostic systems for flight test vehicles and initiation systems for future warheads.

In this team you will gain experience in small‑and large‑scale experiment design and fielding, the Phase X process, requirements development, verification methodologies, and initiation train design.

Minimum

Job Requirements:

Engineering Knowledge: Proven experience in electrical, chemical, optical, or mechanical engineering or STEM scientific disciplines. Candidates must have the ability to read and interpret mechanical engineering design drawings. Experience with requirements document development, interpretation, and verification. Knowledge of and experience in designing, planning, and executing designs for fabrication and testing of products, and using statistical analysis techniques. Experience with computer aided design tools such as Solid Works, CREO, or Autodesk.

Experience with computer programming languages; experience with Matlab, C/C++ preferred. Knowledge of application of scientific methods and engineering discipline‑relevant standards. Knowledge of and experience with simulation tools such as COMSOL or other relevant modeling software.

Communication and Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to interact effectively with all levels of internal and external peers, customers, and stakeholders. Ability to effectively accomplish work without considerable direction; expect significant latitude in determining objectives of assignments, and determining the methods and procedures needed for new assignments.

Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 6 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.

• Experience leading testing efforts on components or systems in various environments
• Experience developing test strategies and methodologies
• Experience with quality assurance standards such as NQA-1, NAP-401.A, or DOE Order 414.D
• Knowledge and experience with execution of the NNSA Phase X Process and Defense Programs Business Process System (DPBPS) requirements
• Experience with requirements…