What You Will Do

The Test Engineering group (E-14) of the Engineering, Technology and Design Division (E) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking Shock and Vibration Team Leader to support the weapons mission. The successful candidate will serve as a test engineer engaged in component and system testing, including explosive experiment execution that comprises test requirements identification and documentation, test design and planning activities, component design and analysis, component fabrication, technical oversight, test scheduling, test coordination, data gathering and interpretation activities, and formal test reporting. The test engineer is responsible for leading and coordinating the testing processes by performing specific tasks such as test plan creation, test schedule maintenance, test fixture design and analysis, instrumentation selection and layout, data acquisition equipment interfacing, post-test analysis and reporting, and other similar tasks.

Testing activities require working in a team environment with other engineers, scientists, and technicians within LANL, DOE, DoD, and other institutions. Successful test operations include assisting with execution of test objectives, assisting with the setup of test assemblies and equipment, and implementing instrumentation and data acquisition requirements. Specific test environments include but are not limited to mechanical shock, vibration, rotation, impact, modal, load/deflection testing, pressure, thermal including fire, and confined high explosive driven tests. Compliance with LANL and facility safety and security practices, and delivering accurate test results in a team effort are central to all testing efforts.

Additional job responsibilities include participating in the development of new testing technologies and facilities, and implementing quality assurance requirements. Performance of job responsibilities will require working in controlled hazardous environments that may include radiation generating devices, radioactive materials, high explosives, and other hazardous materials. The ability to provide clear, timely, and technically accurate direction to test support technicians is part of the job duties.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience advising and guiding experimental work including mentoring junior staff, students and technicians.
• Demonstrated thorough experience and knowledge of test engineering including test design, planning, preparation, execution, data reduction and analysis, customer interfacing, and documenting of experimental work.
• Demonstrated experience in acquiring and interpreting experimental data such as acceleration, temperature, strain, force and displacement.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in the use of specialized engineering software for data acquisition and analysis, such as MATLAB, LabView, Origin, or other similar software.
• Ability to work on multiple projects concurrently and with changing priorities while delivering multiple products on schedule.
• Ability to accomplish technical tasks while working independently or as part of a team with other engineers, scientists, and technicians.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and experience interacting with all levels of personnel and customers.

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of dynamic measurements, measurement techniques, instrumentation, and digital signal processing techniques.
• Demonstrated knowledge of experimental and analytical modal analysis including modal analysis test methods, curve fitting, input and response location optimization and extraction of modal parameters.
• Demonstrated knowledge of transfer path analysis, dynamic sub-structuring and analytical or numerical modeling of dynamic systems.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of engineering design and analysis of components, Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tools, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) methods.
• Experience with operations or tests involving high explosives.
• Demonstrated experience in nuclear weapons testing and qualification.
• Active Q clearance.

Education/Experience:

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

Essential Job Functions(can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Sitting, Standing, Lifting

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.

Note to Applicants: For full consideration, applicants must submit a comprehensive cover letter that addresses the key requirements of the position.

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 or preference, 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.
Employment StatusFull TimeAppointment TypeRegularRegular

Fraud Warning:

Unfortunately, employment scams are real. Sometimes bad actors try to impersonate a hiring organization in an attempt to gain an applicant’s personal or financial information.

Please be aware that Los Alamos National Laboratory will never ask for funds for equipment or otherwise at any stage of the application or employment process. Official correspondence with the Laboratory will come from an email ending in lanl.gov.

If you feel that you have been the victim of a scam, please contact your local law enforcement agency.