Manufacturing Associate Jobs in Espanola, NM (NOW HIRING)

Located in northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is the nation's premier plutonium center of excellence. At LANL, we lead in ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile while advancing research across a spectrum of scientific disciplines, including national security, space exploration, geophysics, renewable energy, supercomputing, medicine, and nanotechnology. Our advanced nuclear facility emphasizes precision machining and adherence to standards in a high‑tech manufacturing environment.

The Pit Technologies (PT) Division, part of the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP), is instrumental in delivering top‑quality plutonium pit‑related products and services. This division focuses on maintaining and enhancing the performance of nuclear components while following rigorous compliance and safety protocols.

As a member of the PT‑2 Machining Group within the PT Division, you will engage in complex machining and processing tasks and apply your engineering expertise.

As a Manufacturing Manager 3 and First‑Line Manager (FLM) at our nuclear facility, you will report to a Group Leader and provide leadership within a dynamic manufacturing environment. Your responsibilities include overseeing precision machining operations, ensuring effective use of CNC machining tools, and driving compliance with safety and quality standards. You will manage daily activities, implement process improvements, and mentor early‑career employees, supporting their development and setting high standards for operational effectiveness.

You will be responsible for comprehending detailed instructions, interpreting verbal and written communications, and applying critical thinking to manage and resolve complex operational challenges. Additionally, you will accurately document and manage information using computer systems, requiring proficiency in typing and working within digital platforms. The ability to listen attentively, process written materials, input data, assess situations accurately, create clear technical documentation, and make sound decisions is essential for success in this role.

This role is crucial for advancing manufacturing excellence and achieving key programmatic milestones.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Leadership: Proven technical leadership with successful experience in supervising, resolving conflicts, mentoring, team building, managing staff requirements, motivating employees, and developing personnel such as students or early‑career scientists and engineers.
• Knowledge and Expertise: Experience in developing work scope, coordinating work activities, planning and managing tactical execution, and tracking/reporting progress. Familiarity with machining manufacturing environments and nuclear facility requirements, including conduct of operations, engineering, and maintenance standards.
• Communication: Effective written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to interact with all levels of personnel and customers.
• Education/Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field from an accredited institution and 8 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• DOE Order 426.2A: Requires a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or related science or technology, and 4 years of nuclear experience. Job‑related education or experience may be substituted on a case‑by‑case basis. The degree may be used to substitute up to 50 percent of the experience requirement per section I 4.e of the Contractor Requirements Document (CRD).

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience handling confidential or proprietary information, classified documents, or sensitive information.
• Demonstrated success in scaling business functions, managing team growth, and advancing experimental initiatives.
• Experience in project and program management, including planning, organizing, and resource management.
• Experience in defining work unit objectives and tasks, tracking/reporting progress, and work package development and execution.
• Experience with multidisciplinary teams of technicians, engineers, and professional staff.
• Knowledge of Integrated Work Management (IWM) and Integrated Safety and Security Management (ISSM) methods.
• Experience with high‑hazard nuclear facility operations and requirements, safety authorization basis, and/or Conduct of Operations planning and execution.
• Familiarity with transitioning between secured and non‑secured environments, including navigating between multiple buildings and operational areas.
• Strong critical thinking and problem‑solving skills to access complex scenarios and develop effective solutions.
• Proficiency in using computer systems for data management and technical documentation.
• DOE Clearance and HRP Certification are highly desirable.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of 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.

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

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 one year.

• 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).

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 applicable 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 a disability accommodation, email applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505) 664‑6947, opt. 3.