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What You Will Do

The Intelligence and Space Research (ISR) Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a multi-discipline research and development engineer to join our collaborative and dynamic team! The ideal candidate will be a skilled hands-on worker with experience designing test setups; authoring documentation including test plans, procedures, and reports; handling flight hardware in cleanrooms; planning, overseeing, and supporting environmental and calibration tests; and evaluating test readiness including monitoring and assessment of contamination-control measures.

The Space Instrument Realization Group (ISR-5) provides engineering and technical expertise to develop and deploy high-quality, innovative measurement systems for national security and scientific missions. ISR-5 is composed of electrical and mechanical engineers, systems engineers, technicians, project control specialists, and technical project managers, all of whom engage on interdisciplinary, high-performance project teams that span conceptual development to deployment. The ISR Division has been designing, building, and operating highly innovative ground, air, and space-based measurement and detection systems for 60 years. Examples of ISR Division projects include space-based measurement systems for verification of international nuclear treaties, basic scientific missions, nuclear nonproliferation, space situational awareness, and remote sensing. In addition, we lead experiments on NASA missions, including the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars Rovers, Van Allen Probes, IBEX, and IMAP.

This position involves a wide variety of engineering, scientific, and hands-on work in various ISR laboratories, including our ion beam facilities for testing and calibration of space plasma spectrometers as well our environmental test facilities (dynamics and TVAC). On any given day, examples of work performed might include the following:

• Writing or reviewing test setup documentation including plans and procedures for dedicated tests or across campaigns

• Evaluating test performance and authoring test reports and other post-test documentation, including presentation of results

• Supporting environment tests including shock, vibration, and thermal, including contamination control of equipment under test

• Using and maintaining Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) systems and their components using cleanliness standards typical of UHV systems as required for spaceflight instruments; example equipment includes high vacuum pumps, (cryo, turbo, and ion), roughing pumps, Temperature Controlled Quartz Crystal Microbalances (TQCMs), Residual Gas Analyzers (RGAs), and motion control systems

• Supporting the assembly and operation of ion and electron detector systems and their associated electronics, including microchannel plates, channel electron multipliers, and Faraday cups

• Providing mechanical engineering design expertise or support for custom vacuum components and fixturing or other mechanical ground support equipment (for example, using SolidWorks or CREO)

• Evaluating (both quantitatively and providing subject matter expertise) contamination environments for instruments highly sensitive to molecular and particulate contamination, including providing support and collaborating with dedicated cleanroom staff

• Testing and calibrating space instruments or innovative experiments for next-generation space payloads

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Problem Solving

Demonstrated ability to identify problems and generate solutions. Ability to absorb large volumes of information from a variety of sources and synthesize it into key elements and requirements. Strong attention to detail.

Communication & Teaming:

Demonstrated ability to contribute to effective, intellectually diverse teams, and interact with colleagues with diverse professional, educational, and experience backgrounds. Effective written and oral skills. Demonstrated record of fostering a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

Work Approach:

Enthusiastic willingness to learn in a highly supportive environment. Adaptive, creative, and collaborative approaches to solving problems, overcoming obstacles, and handling uncertainty. Effective use of soft skills and a persistence to navigate the institutional systems and processes to meet goals in a timely manner. Collaborative and communicative style, proactive in asking questions in order to learn and perform work. This position offers a rich opportunity to both learn and teach.

Technical Experience:

Experience in at least one of the following areas is required: high voltage systems, cleanrooms/contamination control, charged particle beam systems, lasers, or ultra-high vacuum systems. This position involves many technical skills, and the expectation is that the successful candidate will start with some basis of experience and then grow into other areas with mentoring from engineers, scientists, and technicians in ISR. Passion for learning and applying new skills and knowledge is critical for this position.

Safety:

Safety and security are the highest priority for executing work at Los Alamos. Candidate must have demonstrated record of commitment to safety, security, environment, and quality.

Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in engineering technology, science, math, or related degree from an ABET accredited institution and 4 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to this position.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in mechanical or aerospace engineering

• Experience with Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, SolidWorks, CREO, sealed radioactive sources, lasers, ultraviolet light sources, space-flight hardware, contamination control, cleanroom operations, and schematic reading

• Experience evaluating space instruments at the component, assembly, and integrated levels for adherence to outgassing and other contamination specifications

• Experience building and analyzing mathematical models (CFD, FEM/FEA), especially for venting/pressure, humidity control, and contamination

• Experience building experimental test setups to evaluate contamination environments

• Active Q clearance

Work Environment:

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same 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 and tuition assistance

• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)

• Onsite gyms and wellness programs

• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test : The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position : Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants : Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-665-4444 option 1.