Mechanical Design Engineer - Space Hardware (R&D Engineer 1/2)

What You Will Do
Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a mechanical design engineer to join the Space Instrument Realization Group (ISR-5). In this role, you will support the design, analysis, assembly, testing, and integration of custom space-based instrumentation for national security and fundamental science applications.

ISR-5 develops and deploys advanced measurement systems from concept through mission execution. You will work closely with other mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, scientists, technicians, analysts, and test personnel to develop robust, flight-ready systems for national security and scientific missions.

This position offers the opportunity to work on mission-driven space hardware from early concept development through design, analysis, environmental test, and deployment. You will contribute to nationally important and scientifically significant programs while growing your technical depth alongside experienced engineers, scientists, and technicians in a highly collaborative environment. The ideal candidate will differentiate themselves with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a passion for effective teaming.

The Intelligence and Space Research Division at LANL has more than 60 years of experience designing, building, and operating ground-, air-, and space-based systems supporting nuclear nonproliferation, treaty verification, remote sensing, space situational awareness, and NASA missions including Curiosity, Perseverance, IBEX, Van Allen Probes, and IMAP.

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 1 or R&D Engineer 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

R&D Engineer 1 ($96,600-$158,000)
At the R&D Engineer 1 level, you will support the mechanical engineering and design of spaceflight and flight-like hardware.
Responsibilities include:

• Design mechanical hardware and generate CAD models and drawings
• Support fabrication and assembly of hardware.
• Perform static, dynamic, and thermal analyses using finite element analysis, hand calculations, and other analytical methods to inform your designs.
• Conduct design trades, risk reduction activities, and apply engineering decisions throughout hardware development.
• Support environmental testing, including vibration, shock, thermal cycling, and thermal vacuum testing.
• Prepare clear technical reports, presentations, and review materials for internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to ISR-5 mechanical design and analysis tools, methods, and best practices.

R&D Engineer 2 ($106,400-$176,000)
In addition to the responsibilities listed above, the R&D Engineer 2 will independently support the design, analysis, fabrication, assembly, and/or deployment of space hardware. Additional responsibilities include:

• Lead the mechanical design for complex space hardware, payloads, or integrated systems.
• Independently apply engineering fundamentals to support design decisions.
• Translate program requirements, launch environments, and mission constraints into actionable criteria.
• Provide technical recommendations that support design reviews, test readiness reviews, qualification reviews, and flight-readiness decisions.
• Mentor students/early-career staff in mechanical design practices, documentation quality, peer review, and engineering judgment.
• Interface with customers, sponsors, and project stakeholders to define scope, communicate results, and plan deliverables.

What You Need

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Minimum Job Requirements:

Candidates that meet the degree requirement, but do not meet the 2-year minimum experience requirement are encouraged to apply and may be considered for hire through an exception process.

• Experience developing designs in Creo, SOLIDWORKS, or similar CAD tools.
• Experience with drafting/engineering drawings including knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing standards
• Knowledge of mechanical and thermal environments relevant to flight hardware, such as launch loads, vibration, shock, thermal cycling, thermal vacuum, or operational thermal environments.
• Proficiency in engineering fundamentals related to space-based hardware.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment, including interfacing with other engineers, scientists, technicians, project/program staff, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document analysis assumptions, methods, results, margins, risks, and recommendations.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, security, quality, peer review, and responsible engineering practices.
• Ability to obtain clearances as required for project work.

Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 2:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

• Demonstrated experience independently designing hardware for extreme environments.
• Proficient in simulation tools, such as ANSYS, Abaqus, Thermal Desktop, Simcenter, NASTRAN.
• Demonstrated experience leading subteams, coordinating interdisciplinary work, mentoring students/early career staff, and working with customers or stakeholders.
• Experience supporting environmental test planning, data review, model correlation, requirements verification, or qualification/acceptance documentation.

Education/Experience at lower level : Bachelor's Degree in engineering from an accredited institution and 2 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at higher level : 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:

• Experience supporting the design, analysis, qualification, launch, or operation of spaceflight, aerospace, defense, or high-reliability hardware.
• Experience working with concepts and practices of GD&T
• Experience with launch environments, including quasi-static loads, random vibration, shock, acoustics, modal analysis, or coupled loads.
• Experience with space thermal environments, including thermal vacuum, thermal cycling, orbital heating, radiation, or electronics heating
• Experience with ASME, NASA, DoD, or aerospace standards such as ASME Y14.5, NASA-STD-5001/5002, NASA-STD-5020, GSFC-STD-7000, MIL-STD-1540, MIL-STD-810, ECSS, MMPDS, or related program-specific requirements.

NOTE: Please provide a detailed cover letter addressing how you meet the qualifications of the job.

Work Environment:

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 or 2 years.

Note to Applicants:

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: 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.

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.

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 ... or call ....