Power Experimental Electrical Engineer; R&D Engineer

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 1 or 2 level, depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

M-6 is seeking a skilled and creative R&D Electrical Engineer to join the Explosive Applications and Special Projects (M-6) Group within Dynamic Experiments (M) Division. M-6 conducts research to study the initiation and performance of high explosives (HE) through mechanical, thermal, and electromagnetic mechanisms. Our areas of expertise include non-shock initiation of HE, HE-driven pulsed power, special energetic materials, and special security projects in service to the Laboratory, the nation, and other national security areas.

We develop and perfect state-of-the-art diagnostics and explosive initiation tools. These tools include high-speed analog and digital electronics, high-voltage and high-current fast-switching circuits, capacitor-discharge systems, and the integration of commercial modules into custom experimental assemblies.

This work includes:

• Translating experimental concepts, physical behavior, and technical requirements into fieldable electronic and electrical assemblies from initial design through fabrication, testing, integration, documentation, and field deployment
• Developing hands‑on ownership of the hardware you create, including prototype fabrication, bench testing, troubleshooting, repair, modification, and support during experimental fielding
• Developing new and novel designs while sustaining, troubleshooting, documenting, and modernizing M-6's library of legacy designs
• Knowledge of analog electronics and the integration of digital controllers into analog circuits
• This role is for an engineer who wants to work at the boundary between circuit design and experimental physics. Success requires learning the specialized physics of the loads and experiments that these electrical systems drive and using that understanding to make better engineering decisions. M-6 maintains an in‑house electrical engineering laboratory with rapid‑prototyping capability, circuit milling, parts inventory, and diagnostic and test equipment.
  
  Engineers also work with internal fabrication organizations and external vendors to turn designs into finished hardware.

The successful candidate will work with M-6 project leads and experimental teams on electronic design, experimental engineering, diagnostics, and fielded hardware. At this level, the engineer will take responsibility for assigned engineering tasks and portions of experimental assemblies while receiving technical guidance on objectives and more complex design decisions.

The Level 1 position is expected to:

• Design, analyze, fabricate, test, verify, document, and field analog and digital electronic circuits and assemblies, including work with high-voltage, high-current, fast‑switching, and pulsed‑power systems
• Translate defined experimental requirements and physical constraints into electrical requirements, interfaces, component selections, design features, and test plans with technical guidance as needed
• Build, modify, troubleshoot, repair, and rapidly iterate prototype hardware using in‑house laboratory and rapid‑prototyping capabilities
• Participate in brainstorming and technical planning with engineers, scientists, modelers, technicians, and technologists
• Develop an understanding of the specialized physics of the experiments and loads that the electrical systems drive and apply that understanding to engineering decisions
• Support integration and fielding of assigned designs and develop increasing technical ownership through testing, troubleshooting, repair, and modification
• Maintain, troubleshoot, document, and modernize legacy systems while learning their design intent and operating principles

In addition to the duties outlined above, an R&D Engineer 2 will be expected to function as an independent engineering contributor and take primary technical ownership of well‑defined designs and experimental assemblies.

At this level, the…