Weekend Performance Engineer Jobs in New Mexico (NOW HIRING)

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 (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution with the brightest minds in the world and unparalleled technology and equipment. Production Assurance Engineering (PA-1) ensures that all products in the Weapons Production Directorate meet or exceed all quality requirements.

R&D Engineer 1

As an R&D Engineer (Quality) 1, you will support the Weapons Production Directorate Production Assurance Engineering (PA-1) group by ensuring quality assurance results, materials, processes and final products meet quality requirements and are completed according to established processes. You will utilize a graded approach to quality, including the application of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) principles based on risk to the product, follow well‑defined policies, apply problem‑solving methods to support the development and qualification of capable measurement methods and manufacturing processes, and support the development of process‑control methods to identify failure modes, track trends, recommend improvements, and monitor process capability. You will also support the development of weapons quality systems and production processes. Solid experience in an engineering discipline and the ability to act as an individual contributor are required.

Job Duties

• Safety and security are a primary responsibility for all Laboratory employees. Assures safety and security compliance, maintains required training, and incorporates safety and security into every task.
• Develops a technical approach, uses judgment within defined practices, and makes technical decisions for assigned work.
• Contributes to the completion of milestones associated with specific projects and may contribute to programmatic objectives.
• Understands and adheres to Laboratory and industry regulatory guidance and governance specific to QA.
• Ensures that QA results, materials, processes, and final products meet specifications and are completed according to established requirements.
• Coordinates the preparation of QA procedures for review, approval, and issue tracking in accordance with approved Laboratory procedures.
• Writes or reviews technical and performance specifications, quality levels, sampling plans, and inspection plans or procedures.
• Takes responsibility for understanding tasks and own contributions to deliverables and manages own assignments.
• Coordinates, prepares, and reviews QA inspection reports, certificates of compliance and conformance, and related test reports to determine validity.
• Coordinates and reports on selected engineering and procurement documents to assure inclusion of applicable quality requirements.
• Fosters a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

R&D Engineer 2

In addition to the duties of R&D Engineer 1, you will apply quality engineering principles to a broad set of QA and QC activities within one or more engineering disciplines to support an effective implementation of the quality management system. Broad professional expertise in an engineering discipline and independent functioning as a skilled engineer are required.

Additional Duties for R&D Engineer 2

• Applies engineering and scientific principles, techniques, methods, and tools to provide solutions for complex problems requiring causal relationships that are difficult to establish.
• Develops technical approaches and new methods, using creativity in standard practices, which lead to new or improved capabilities.
• Sets direction and goals for well‑defined tasks involving more than one person, scopes tasks within a project, defines deliverables, and leads specific tasks to meet scope, schedule, and budget.
• Provides peer review of the work of others across organizations or disciplines.
• Develops mentoring skills to mentor junior staff and peers in technical and professional growth.
• Maintains state‑of‑the‑art technical expertise within the discipline, develops new skills in related disciplines, and attains additional certifications or qualifications to grow in the field.

#SHIFT WORK

Shift and weekend work may be required. Eligibility for shift differential pay will be determined by the manager. Shift/weekend assignments are at the discretion of management.

What You Need Minimum Job Requirements R&D Engineer 1 – ($96,600 – $158,000)

• Collaboration, Teaming & Communication: Demonstrated ability to accomplish technical tasks independently, work in a team environment, interact effectively with all levels of personnel, and possess strong written, verbal, and organizational skills.
• Technical: Experience conducting troubleshooting, investigating alternative solutions, recommending improvements, and using root‑cause analysis; provides thorough documentation of technical or statistical reports and ensures QA compliance.
• Engineering: Knowledge and experience in an engineering discipline.
• Quality Standards: Knowledge of national consensus standards of QA, quality regulations, policies, procedures, and industry standards such as IPC, ASME, AS9100, ISO, ANSI, NQA‑1, NAP 401.1A, and related processes and procedures.

R&D Engineer 2 – ($106,400 – $176,000)

• Quality Assurance: Working knowledge of weapons‑quality regulations, policies, and procedures, including NAP‑401.1A, nuclear‑weapon‑complex technical business practices, and weapons manufacturing, production, design, operations, and other weapons systems.
• Engineering: Ability to interpret physical, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings, and schematics; demonstrated experience researching, investigating alternatives, and recommending solutions on quality‑related problems.

Education Requirements

R&D Engineer 1: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution related to the occupation combined with 2 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and technical experience directly related to the occupation.

R&D Engineer 2: 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

• Inspection Design: Ability to interpret physical, mechanical, and electrical documents; familiarity with ASME Y14.5M, mechanical inspection, machining tolerances, GD&T, and assembly processes.
• Metrology: Knowledge of metrology and statistical methods to diagnose and correct improper QC practices.
• Certification: Nationally recognized quality‑engineering certifications such as ASQ Certified Quality Engineer or Reliability Engineer.

Work Schedule

24/7 coverage may be required, involving shift or weekend schedules. Employees may be eligible for shift differential pay when assigned by the manager.

Work Location

Onsite in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position Commitment

Regular appointment employees must serve a continuous 1‑year period in their current role to be eligible for other posted jobs. Employees who have not served the required time require documented approval from their Division Leader.

Note to Applicants

This position requires enrollment in the Human Reliability Program, which includes thorough screening, credit checks, background screening, random drug/alcohol screens, medical, and psychological evaluations.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science for national security. Benefits include:

• PPO or high‑deductible medical insurance with a large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• Award‑winning 401(k) (6 % matching plus 3.5 % annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages beyond a 50‑mile radius

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 – Employment requires suitable NNSA decision under Supplemental Directive 206.2; foreign nationals follow equivalent DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q. The selected applicant will be cleared to Q level and must meet standard eligibility requirements. Additional authorizations may be required depending on classification.

HRP – Role is subject to DOE Human Reliability Program requirements, including ongoing drug/alcohol testing and periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

New‑Employment Drug Test – All successful applicants must complete a new‑employment drug test and comply with the laboratory’s substance‑abuse policy. Positive results for marijuana will result in termination, even if drug use was pre‑offer.

Regular position – Status for Laboratory employees applying for regular‑status positions may be converted to regular status.

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 protected characteristics. The Laboratory is committed to providing reasonable accommodations and to making the workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities.