Job Title Quality Engineer (R&D Engineer 2 / 3)
Location Los Alamos, NM, US
Organization Name PAQ-1 / Quality Engineering and Inspection
Minimum Salary
Maximum Salary
What You Will Do
Do you want to be part of an energetic, high performing team; working on challenges and deliverables that ensure national security?
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a multidisciplinary research institution with the brightest minds in the world and unparalleled technology and equipment.
Production Agency Quality ensures that all products in the Weapons Production Directorate meet or exceed all quality requirements.
R&D Engineer 2 ($101,700 - $168,200)
Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of processes, procedures and applications contributing to the overall objectives of maintaining an effective Quality Assurance (QA) and quality control program including : product and process design / verification, product and process controls, continuous improvement, qualitative methods and tools and design related to development and production activities.
R&D Engineer 3 ($122,300 - $206,300)
In addition to the above duties, lead resolutions to complex problems that require the frequent use of creativity and where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors.
Lead and coordinate activities of other personnel. Exerts significant latitude in determining objectives of assignment, and determines the methods and procedures needed for new assignments.
Job Duties
1. While adhering to Laboratory policy, will maintain required safety and security training, assure safety and security compliance, 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.
2. Determine objectives and refine assignment definitions.
3. Understand and adhere to Laboratory and industry regulatory guidance and governance specific to QA.
4. Ensure that QA results, materials, processes, and final products meet quality specifications and are completed according to established requirements.
5. Coordinate the preparation of QA procedures for review, approval, and issues in accordance with approved Laboratory procedures.
6. Write or review technical and performance specifications, quality levels, sampling plans, and inspection plans or procedures.
7. Coordinate, prepare and review QA inspection reports, certificates of compliance and conformance, and related test reports to determine validity.
8. Coordinate, review and report on selected engineering and procurement documents to assure the inclusion of applicable quality requirements.
In addition to performing the job duties for R&D Engineer 2, the R&D Engineer 3 will perform the following :
- Interpret QA policy and procedures at the division or directorate level.
- Lead in the development, implementation, and evaluation of processes, procedures and applications contributing to the overall objectives of maintaining an effective Quality Assurance (QA) program, including : product and process design / verification, product and process controls, continuous improvement, qualitative methods and tools and design and analysis related to development and production activities.
- Lead in the guidance, philosophies, and recommendations for the preparation of technical facility and / or weapons-related QA procedures.
- Lead the development of weapons quality systems associated with production and / or design activities.
- Lead and evaluate weapons design agency and / or production agency engineering authorizations to determine compliance with National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) technical business practices and quality requirements.
- Lead advanced quality control techniques, statistical process control methods, and data collection to identify failure causes, trends, focus improvement actions, rate the performance, and measure effectiveness.
- Lead and defines technical and performance specifications, quality levels, sampling plans, and inspection plans or procedures.
- Review receiving inspection reports, certificates of compliance and conformance and related test reports to determine validity.
- Review and report on new or revised requirements and their impact on the established QA program.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements :
As applicable for the position and nature of the technical area of focus, the candidate should have :
- Working knowledge of and / or experience with quality related regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Working knowledge of the weapons quality requirements : DOE / NNSA weapons quality policy (NAP-401.1A), nuclear weapons complex technical business practices, NNSA development and production manual, and weapons manufacturing, production, design operations and practices as well as other weapons systems.
- Working knowledge to understand and interpret various physical, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings, and schematics.
- Demonstrated experience and demonstrated skill in conducting research, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting QA.
- Working knowledge and experience with nuclear and / or DOE QA programs of less than 3 years.
In addition to having advanced knowledge of the R&D Engineer 2 requirements, the R&D Engineer 3 must have the following :
- Advanced knowledge of and experience with quality assurance activities including, but not necessarily limited to, system and / or performance audits, recommending and implementing corrective actions, providing thorough and accurate documentation of technical and / or statistical reports, and ensuring quality assurance compliance.
- Advanced knowledge of and experience with quality regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Advanced ability to understand and interpret various physical, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings, and schematics.
- Advanced experience and demonstrated skill in conducting research, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting quality assurance.
- Advanced knowledge of weapons quality requirements : DOE / NNSA weapons quality policy (NAP-401.1A), nuclear weapons complex technical business practices, NNSA development and production manual, and the NNSA quality assurance procedure, weapons manufacturing, and design operations and practices, as well as weapons systems.
- Advanced familiarity with project management methodologies and applying quality requirements to projects being managed through a formal project management process.
Education / Experience R&D Engineer 2 : Requires a Bachelor's degree preferably in quality assurance or STEM field and a minimum of 3 years or related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Additional consideration may be given to professionally recognized degrees, training, and certifications in other fields.
Education / Experience R&D Engineer 3 : Requires a Bachelor's degree preferably inquality assurance or STEM field and a minimum of 6 years or related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Additional consideration may be given to professionally recognized degrees, training, and certifications in other fields.
A Master's may be preferred at this level.
Note to Applicants :
For full consideration, please submit a comprehensive resume reflective of your relevant experience to the job requirements and desired skills stated above.
Location : This position will be located in Los Alamos, NM.
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
- Paidchildbirth 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.
HRP : This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, 712.
11. These requirements include on going drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.
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 [email protected] or call 1-505-665-4444 option 1.
Employment Status Full Time
Appointment Type Regular
Regular