Scientist, Research Scientist, Mechanical Engineer

What You Will Do

Located in northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is primarily responsible for monitoring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile and conducting advanced research in numerous areas related to national security. Additionally, it is a center for research in a wide range of scientific disciplines, including space exploration, geophysics, renewable energy, supercomputing, medicine, and nanotechnology.

Welcome to the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP) and the Pit Technologies (PT) Division. The PT Division is one of 10 divisions in ALDWP. We are confident that you will find the PT Division a dynamic and rewarding place to work. Our employees are the most valuable asset within ALDWP and the Laboratory as a whole. The PT Division provides plutonium pit related products and services of superior quality and value to protect our nation and promote world stability.

The selected candidate will leverage their technical expertise within the Product Engineering group in PT-5 (Product Engineering). PT-5 consists of a multidisciplinary group of engineers and scientists that supports plutonium programs (i.e., pit production, surveillance, research and development, and subcritical experiments) across the entire PT Division. Individuals working in this position will directly support the operations necessary to ensure high‑quality production and provide configuration management to the suite of PT programmatic missions from development through production.

• Conduct assigned activities within scientific or technical research and development (R&D) in support of the Laboratory's mission.
• Apply scientific principles to address technical problems, develop novel techniques or principles, or analyze data or outcomes from theoretical or experimental research.
• Demonstrated ability to express ideas clearly in oral and written communications.

• In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level:
• Lead the research, design, and testing of scientific engineering solutions in support of R&D initiatives.
• Review technical procedures to ensure work is executed safely and securely while meeting product requirements.
• Apply broad and diversified knowledge of scientific and engineering principles to implement sound solutions to achieve organizational objectives.
• Mentor early career staff, postdocs, and students.

Minimum

Job Requirements:

• Basic knowledge of professional science/engineering concepts, principles, practices, and procedures; demonstrated through experience researching, designing, testing, analyzing, verifying, and validating scientific/engineering solutions.
• Experience performing a broad range of complex scientific/engineering work, including experience designing a complete project, system, or component through courses or experience.

• Basic analytical thinking skills, as demonstrated by experience designing and executing experiments, including analyzing and interpreting data. This includes a commitment to high quality and timeliness of deliverables.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently in high‑intensity environments with coworkers representing a variety of technical backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to express ideas clearly and in ways that build understanding, respect, and trust. In PT-5 this is largely accomplished by producing internal reports and presentations.

• Thorough knowledge of and experience in designing, planning, and executing research and development projects.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize technical problems, analyze, and test to generate suitable solutions and effectively document.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in implementing Laboratory or similar industry objectives and other statements of policy, practice, and/or procedure.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead projects and personnel to accomplish a scientific/engineering goal.
• Enhance technical and professional expertise of a junior…