Los Alamos National Laboratory
Hydrodynamic Test Device Engineer (R&D Engineer 2/3)
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, us, 87545
Join to apply for the
Hydrodynamic Test Device Engineer (R&D Engineer 2/3)
role at
Los Alamos National Laboratory .
What You Will Do The Weapon and Validation Division (V-Division) ensures that weapon designs meet all requirements and perform as intended. The division verifies design compliance and validates performance through a combination of investigations, qualification tests, and evaluations. This mission is accomplished through close communication and collaboration with sister divisions within the Weapons Engineering Directorate (ALDW). V-Division carries out its work through assembly, non‑destructive evaluation, test design and planning, and test execution, all aimed at confirming the reliability and effectiveness of weapon systems.
The Weapons Test Execution Group (V-21) is responsible for planning and overseeing the execution of weapon tests. V-21 supports experimental evaluations across multiple domains, including mechanical, thermal, hydrodynamic, and subcritical testing. The group leverages capabilities across the national security enterprise, integrating diverse experimental expertise to design, field, and execute large‑scale joint tests in partnership with weapon development organizations. As ALDW's center of excellence for complex weapon experimentation, V-21 plays a critical role in advancing the sustainment and modernization of the U.S. nuclear deterrent, ensuring that each experiment delivers the data and insight necessary to maintain a safe, secure, and effective stockpile.
This position is part of the Physics Validation (PV) team within V-21, which supports a range of Integrated Weapon Experiments, including weapon hydrodynamic tests and subcritical experiments. In hydrotesting, the PV team provides device engineers and the Lead Test Engineer, who together form one part of a three‑person leadership team for each weapon hydrotest. The leadership team consists of the Lead Test Engineer, Lead Physicist, and Lead Experimenter. The Lead Test Engineer follows a Systems Engineering Lifecycle to design, develop, and deliver the experimental device for each test. This role involves extensive collaboration with more than a dozen groups across the laboratory, requiring individuals who can work effectively with team members from diverse technical backgrounds and experience levels to achieve the common goals of the experiment. Because these tests involve many stakeholders, success in this position depends on the ability to communicate clearly, understand differing objectives, and balance competing priorities. The role offers a unique opportunity to learn about various weapon systems and future concepts, while building hands‑on experience in prototyping, design, and experimental execution. Our work spans many scientific and engineering disciplines, and success requires working closely with SME’s to expand technical knowledge and develop expertise in relevant areas. The position also provides strong leadership opportunities, as the Lead Test Engineer heads the experiment team and serves as the primary point of contact among all participating organizations.
As an R&D Engineer on our team, you’ll take ideas from concept to reality‑designing, building, and testing functional prototype hardware assemblies that directly support our national security mission. You’ll tackle a wide variety of mechanical and systems engineering challenges, from defining and managing requirements to performing concept modeling, component design, system integration, and full‑scale testing and validation. Every project offers the opportunity to apply creativity and technical expertise to solve complex problems. In addition to hands‑on engineering, you’ll contribute to the success of our programs by preparing and presenting technical reports, planning documents, and briefings for both internal and external stakeholders. You’ll also engage directly with senior laboratory management and external partners on high‑visibility projects that shape the future of our mission. This role is ideal for engineers who are collaborative, curious, and driven to learn. You’ll have the chance to mentor junior staff, grow your leadership skills, and make a direct impact in advancing cutting‑edge national security research.
R&D Engineer 2 ( Level 2 ) –
Salary range
$104,100–$172,200
Plan project scope
Coordinate test design
Coordinate part procurement & fabrication
Coordinate assembly process
Execute pre‑test and post‑test activities
Generate project reports & analysis
Complete professional development & administrative tasks
At this level more direction and mentorship will be provided by senior staff
R&D Engineer 3 ( Level 3 ) –
Salary range
$125,200–$211,300
Capability to self‑start on tasks will be required with less direction; this will be more of an intermediate to senior role on the team.
In this role mentorship of team members is expected.
At this level representing the team to higher level stakeholders will be applicable.
What You Need Minimum Job Requirements
Good communication skills with individuals with varying expertise and backgrounds
Program management skillset; this role requires collaborating with PMs and tracking schedule and cost for tests in addition to tracking status throughout the lifecycle
Capable of problem solving complex and technical issues
Driven to use resources to identify or create strategies to progress the tests; employees need to be able to call, email, meet in person daily with applicable people to push progress
Can assert what can be fabricated based on customer needs and professionally communicate what is possible or not
It is important to be a self‑starter and driven team member; much of our work is connected to other people doing their work so collaborating as an experiment team is pivotal while keeping constant communication with the other groups we work with
Follow the applicable processes and procedures associated with our tests
Lead multiple meetings weekly
Appropriately handle classified matter and follow security and safety policy and procedures
Complete applicable training as required
Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 3
Mentorship and leadership experience
Ability to delegate to other team members
Provide subject matter expertise in hydrodynamic testing for stakeholders and other experiment team members
Provide extra support to the team, potentially by being a Derivative Classifier or taking on additional responsibilities that support our team's success
Education/Experience at lower level 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.
Education/Experience at higher level Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 6 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.
Desired Qualifications
Active DOE Q clearance
Formal systems engineering training, certification, or education (e.g., INCOSE ASEP) (Level 3 specific)
Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with nuclear weapon design, development, qualification, certification, assembly/production, or surveillance
Experience working with the LANL Weapons Engineering and Weapons Physics organizations
Knowledge of nuclear weapons, NNSA facilities, or DoD customers that support the U.S. stockpile
Program management – status track while collaborating with other teams (budgeting, scheduling, and scoping)
Leading formal reviews such as design reviews
Experience with tooling design
Formal model‑based system engineering (MBSE) training or certification (e.g., OCSMP, Cameo)
Experience with requirements development and maintenance
Knowledge of or experience with hydrodynamic testing
Experience with ASME Y14.5 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance
Knowledge of or experience with design for manufacturing principles
Experience with performing safety structural analysis
Experience working with or around high explosives
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
Along with your resume, submit a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet the minimum requirements and any of the applicable desired requirements.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China—including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau—as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents (‘green card’ holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
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 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. Obtaining such clearance requires U.S. 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.
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 P701 for applicant 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 such as 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, state, and local 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 (505)‑664‑6947 opt. 3.
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Hydrodynamic Test Device Engineer (R&D Engineer 2/3)
role at
Los Alamos National Laboratory .
What You Will Do The Weapon and Validation Division (V-Division) ensures that weapon designs meet all requirements and perform as intended. The division verifies design compliance and validates performance through a combination of investigations, qualification tests, and evaluations. This mission is accomplished through close communication and collaboration with sister divisions within the Weapons Engineering Directorate (ALDW). V-Division carries out its work through assembly, non‑destructive evaluation, test design and planning, and test execution, all aimed at confirming the reliability and effectiveness of weapon systems.
The Weapons Test Execution Group (V-21) is responsible for planning and overseeing the execution of weapon tests. V-21 supports experimental evaluations across multiple domains, including mechanical, thermal, hydrodynamic, and subcritical testing. The group leverages capabilities across the national security enterprise, integrating diverse experimental expertise to design, field, and execute large‑scale joint tests in partnership with weapon development organizations. As ALDW's center of excellence for complex weapon experimentation, V-21 plays a critical role in advancing the sustainment and modernization of the U.S. nuclear deterrent, ensuring that each experiment delivers the data and insight necessary to maintain a safe, secure, and effective stockpile.
This position is part of the Physics Validation (PV) team within V-21, which supports a range of Integrated Weapon Experiments, including weapon hydrodynamic tests and subcritical experiments. In hydrotesting, the PV team provides device engineers and the Lead Test Engineer, who together form one part of a three‑person leadership team for each weapon hydrotest. The leadership team consists of the Lead Test Engineer, Lead Physicist, and Lead Experimenter. The Lead Test Engineer follows a Systems Engineering Lifecycle to design, develop, and deliver the experimental device for each test. This role involves extensive collaboration with more than a dozen groups across the laboratory, requiring individuals who can work effectively with team members from diverse technical backgrounds and experience levels to achieve the common goals of the experiment. Because these tests involve many stakeholders, success in this position depends on the ability to communicate clearly, understand differing objectives, and balance competing priorities. The role offers a unique opportunity to learn about various weapon systems and future concepts, while building hands‑on experience in prototyping, design, and experimental execution. Our work spans many scientific and engineering disciplines, and success requires working closely with SME’s to expand technical knowledge and develop expertise in relevant areas. The position also provides strong leadership opportunities, as the Lead Test Engineer heads the experiment team and serves as the primary point of contact among all participating organizations.
As an R&D Engineer on our team, you’ll take ideas from concept to reality‑designing, building, and testing functional prototype hardware assemblies that directly support our national security mission. You’ll tackle a wide variety of mechanical and systems engineering challenges, from defining and managing requirements to performing concept modeling, component design, system integration, and full‑scale testing and validation. Every project offers the opportunity to apply creativity and technical expertise to solve complex problems. In addition to hands‑on engineering, you’ll contribute to the success of our programs by preparing and presenting technical reports, planning documents, and briefings for both internal and external stakeholders. You’ll also engage directly with senior laboratory management and external partners on high‑visibility projects that shape the future of our mission. This role is ideal for engineers who are collaborative, curious, and driven to learn. You’ll have the chance to mentor junior staff, grow your leadership skills, and make a direct impact in advancing cutting‑edge national security research.
R&D Engineer 2 ( Level 2 ) –
Salary range
$104,100–$172,200
Plan project scope
Coordinate test design
Coordinate part procurement & fabrication
Coordinate assembly process
Execute pre‑test and post‑test activities
Generate project reports & analysis
Complete professional development & administrative tasks
At this level more direction and mentorship will be provided by senior staff
R&D Engineer 3 ( Level 3 ) –
Salary range
$125,200–$211,300
Capability to self‑start on tasks will be required with less direction; this will be more of an intermediate to senior role on the team.
In this role mentorship of team members is expected.
At this level representing the team to higher level stakeholders will be applicable.
What You Need Minimum Job Requirements
Good communication skills with individuals with varying expertise and backgrounds
Program management skillset; this role requires collaborating with PMs and tracking schedule and cost for tests in addition to tracking status throughout the lifecycle
Capable of problem solving complex and technical issues
Driven to use resources to identify or create strategies to progress the tests; employees need to be able to call, email, meet in person daily with applicable people to push progress
Can assert what can be fabricated based on customer needs and professionally communicate what is possible or not
It is important to be a self‑starter and driven team member; much of our work is connected to other people doing their work so collaborating as an experiment team is pivotal while keeping constant communication with the other groups we work with
Follow the applicable processes and procedures associated with our tests
Lead multiple meetings weekly
Appropriately handle classified matter and follow security and safety policy and procedures
Complete applicable training as required
Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 3
Mentorship and leadership experience
Ability to delegate to other team members
Provide subject matter expertise in hydrodynamic testing for stakeholders and other experiment team members
Provide extra support to the team, potentially by being a Derivative Classifier or taking on additional responsibilities that support our team's success
Education/Experience at lower level 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.
Education/Experience at higher level Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 6 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.
Desired Qualifications
Active DOE Q clearance
Formal systems engineering training, certification, or education (e.g., INCOSE ASEP) (Level 3 specific)
Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with nuclear weapon design, development, qualification, certification, assembly/production, or surveillance
Experience working with the LANL Weapons Engineering and Weapons Physics organizations
Knowledge of nuclear weapons, NNSA facilities, or DoD customers that support the U.S. stockpile
Program management – status track while collaborating with other teams (budgeting, scheduling, and scoping)
Leading formal reviews such as design reviews
Experience with tooling design
Formal model‑based system engineering (MBSE) training or certification (e.g., OCSMP, Cameo)
Experience with requirements development and maintenance
Knowledge of or experience with hydrodynamic testing
Experience with ASME Y14.5 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance
Knowledge of or experience with design for manufacturing principles
Experience with performing safety structural analysis
Experience working with or around high explosives
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
Along with your resume, submit a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet the minimum requirements and any of the applicable desired requirements.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China—including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau—as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents (‘green card’ holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
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 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. Obtaining such clearance requires U.S. 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.
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 P701 for applicant 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 such as 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, state, and local 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 (505)‑664‑6947 opt. 3.
#J-18808-Ljbffr