Quality Engineer (R&D Engineer 1​/2

Quality Engineer (R&D Engineer 1/2)

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos, NM

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. The Production Assurance Engineering (PA-1) department ensures that all products in the Weapons Production Directorate meet or exceed all quality requirements. We are seeking an R&D Engineer 1/2 (Quality) to ensure quality assurance results, materials, processes and final products meet quality requirements and are completed according to established processes.

In this role, you will utilize a graded approach to quality including the application of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) principles based on risk to the product by following well-defined policies. This position will be filled at level 1 or 2 based on the selected candidate’s skills and experience, with additional lead responsibilities assigned at the higher level.

This is a regular, onsite role in Los Alamos, NM, with a salary range as follows:

• R&D Engineer 1: $96,600 - $158,000
• R&D Engineer 2: $106,400 - $176,000

• Apply problem-solving methods to support the development and qualification of capable measurement methods, weapons quality systems, and production and manufacturing processes
• Support the development of process control methods to identify failure modes, track trends, recommend improvements, and monitor process capability
• Assure safety and security compliance, maintain required safety and security training, and make safety and security an integral part of every task, including taking the necessary steps to stop work if continuing the job is unsafe or compromises security
• Develop a technical approach, using judgment within defined practices and procedures, and make technical decisions, including making preliminary selections and adaptations of technical alternatives, for assigned work
• Contribute to the completion of milestones associated with specific projects and to the achievement of programmatic objectives
• Ensure that QA results, materials, processes and final products meet quality specifications and are completed according to established requirements
• Coordinate the preparation of QA procedures for review, approval, and issues in accordance with approved Laboratory procedures
• Write or review technical and performance specifications, quality levels, sampling plans, and inspection plans or procedures
• Foster a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment

• Apply and interpret, on a broad basis, existing engineering and scientific principles, techniques, methods and tools to provide solutions for a wide assortment of complex problems where analysis of situations or data requires evaluation of causal relationships which are difficult to establish
• Develop a technical approach and new methods or techniques, using creativity in applying standard practices and procedures, which lead to new or improved capabilities
• Set direction and goals for well-defined tasks involving more than one person and provide peer review of the work of others across organizations or disciplines
• Scope tasks within a project and define deliverables at task level, and lead specific project tasks to meet scope, schedule, and budget
• Maintain state-of-the-art technical expertise and knowledge within discipline and develop new skills in related disciplines
• Attain additional certifications and/or qualifications to grow in field, which may include more advanced educational degrees

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited institution related to the occupation and 2+ years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and technical experience directly related to the occupation
• Demonstrated ability to accomplish technical tasks while working independently, as well as in a team environment, and ability to interact effectively with all levels of personnel to build trust, gain consensus, and resolve conflicts
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills…