J-NV Electrical R&D Engineer (R&D Engineer 2)

What You Will Do

The Integrated Weapons Experiments (J) Division is seeking a highly motivated R&D Electrical Engineer to support the mission of stockpile stewardship for the Hydrodynamic and Subcritical Experiment Execution Support (HSEES) Program in the J-Division Nevada Operations (J-NV) group. J-NV is the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) on-site organization responsible for preparing, fielding, and executing dynamic high explosive-related experiments, including sub-critical dynamic experiments involving special nuclear material for the Los Alamos National Laboratory's (LANL's) Weapons Program and other national security customers.

The successful candidate will work closely with a diverse group of scientists, engineers, technologists, and technicians on projects and programs for both internal and external customers. Responsibilities include : successful system design, fabrication, implementation, formal documentation and maintenance in the development of computer-based process control, diagnostics, timing and firing instrumentation systems for high explosive and sub-critical experiments. Additional tasks are broad based and include determination of experiment utility and diagnostics testbed requirements, subsystem control and instrumentation for high voltage systems, vacuum operations, personnel access control and safety systems, radiographic machine operations, High Explosive (HE) testing and firing site support.

This position will require periodic travel to LANL and requires the candidate to obtain and maintain a Q-clearance as well as participation in LANL's Human Reliability Program certification.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements :

Engineering : Strong background in the fundamentals of electrical engineering, including advanced knowledge of analog and digital electronics, ability to determine electrical power and grounding test bed requirements, experience selecting and integrating diagnostics instrumentation to field hardware and obtaining noise-free dynamic diagnostic data, with a demonstrated history of taking projects from concept to final testing and deployment in an experimental environment.

Tools and Systems : Familiarity with common electronic / electrical test equipment, strong knowledge and creative problem-solving utilizing data acquisition systems in an experimental environment and interpreting data. Familiarity with SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and HMI (Human Machine Interface) or PLC programming languages : Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Function Block Diagrams, Sequential Flow Charts or Instruction Lists. Operating Systems supporting Software : Word, Excel and Project etc.

Safety : Demonstrated knowledge of safety issues or potential hazards relating to electrical systems and devices and the use of interlock and design features to mitigate risks and hazards, including the demonstrated ability to define deliverable and / or lead projects related to safety.

Communication : Demonstrated ability to effectively interact and present technical issues, both verbally and in written form, to an audience with various technical backgrounds, as well as experience providing technical direction, mentoring and coordinating / monitoring the work of others.

Education / Experience : Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications :

• A graduate degree is desired. Expertise in Electrical / Electronic / Instrumentation engineering is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience designing, planning and executing high explosive experiments or other complex experiments.
• Demonstrated knowledge operating under Documented Safety analyses and Technical Surveillance Requirements.
• Demonstrated capability estimating project costs and work schedules ensuring project milestones, and maintaining personnel and fiscal budgets under stringent time constraints.
• Demonstrated knowledge of LabVIEW, C / C++ etc. Programming.
• Active Q Clearance.

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation) :

Work Environment

This position is located at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) located about 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NV. Employees can either take a commuter bus, carpool, or individually drive to reporting work locations. Experiment firing sites can be another 30 to 50 miles in, for which transportation is available. This can make for a 1 to 1 ½ hour or longer commute each way on top of a 10-hour day (employees work a 4-day / 10-hour day schedule). Work at the NNSS usually results in long days that start at sun up and end late in the day. Work locations can be 1000 ft. underground or out in the middle of the desert.

Outdoors, In confined space, Heights, Underground, Working alone, Working overtime or irregular schedule, Domestic / foreign travel, Operation of motor vehicles, Work with weapons or explosives, Work with vibrating equipment / machinery, Work near machinery with moving parts, toxic chemicals, irritant chemicals, dusts or powders, sprays, mists, or vapors, fumes, carcinogens, Hearing protection, Gloves or hand protection, Safety shoes or protective foot-gear, Headgear or head protection, safety glasses or eye protection, face shield or facial protection, Mask or respirator.

Work Schedule : This position works on a 4 / 10 work schedule.

Work Location : The work location for this position is onsite and located at the Nevada National Security Site just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 : Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of certain countries are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes LANL.

This position will require periodic travel from Las Vegas, NV to Los Alamos, NM for training and project specific requirements.

Please submit a detailed cover letter with your resume addressing all required and desired skills.

Where You Will Work

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

Additional Details

Directive 206.2

Clearance : Q (Position will be cleared to this level). This position requires a Q clearance and a background investigation. Eligibility requirements apply for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. Additional access authorization may be required depending on the position.

HRP : This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712.

426.2 : This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates can perform the job.

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. A positive drug test can result in termination.

Regular position : Regular-status Laboratory employees are eligible for regular-status positions after serving the required period of continuous service.

Internal Applicants : Regular appointment employees who have served the required period may apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. Please refer to Policy P701 for eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity : Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories, and the Laboratory is committed to workplace accessibility and accommodations on request.

To request an accommodation, please email applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505) 664-6947 opt. 3.

J-18808-Ljbffr