Position Overview
As a member of Weapons Engineering Technology (WT) Division's Weapon Test Engineering Group (WT-7), the successful candidate will serve as a Test Engineer engaged in system testing that includes experimental design, data acquisition, oversight, data interpretation, and reporting. Activities require working in a team environment with engineers and scientists within LANL, DOE, DoD, and other institutions to perform successful experimental operations that include establishing test objectives, defining experimental environments, and establishing instrumentation requirements. Specific test environments include but are not limited to shock, vibration, rotational, impact, modal, thermal, and fire. The Test Engineer is responsible for experimental processes involving test fixture design and fabrication, instrumentation, data acquisition, compliance with LANL and facility safety and security practices, and delivering accurate experimental product. Responsibilities also include the development and implementation of any additional safety or security requirements as necessary. Additional job responsibilities include developing new experimental technology and facilities, estimating test operation cost as well as forecasting long-term expenditures, mentoring personnel, and implementing quality assurance requirements. Performance of job responsibilities will require working in controlled hazardous environments that may include radiation generating devices, radioactive materials, high explosives, and other hazardous materials.
Key Position Requirements
Demonstrated experience planning, performing, or interpreting tests involving shock, vibration, and/or thermal environments. Significant experience in the application and development of advanced signal processing techniques. Understanding of basic structural and thermal dynamics and ability to relate experimental data to simulated structural and thermal responses. Fundamental understanding of time and frequency domain data reduction, signal processing methods, and other data analysis techniques. Demonstrated ability to accomplish complex technical tasks while working independently as well as in a team environment with engineers and technicians. Experience working and delivering product on schedule, while involved in multiple projects having various priorities. Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated operational facility safety experience related to experimental work. This position requires Q access authorization. The candidate must have the ability to obtain a Q clearance, which normally requires U.S. citizenship.
Desired Skills, Knowledge, Abilities: Knowledge of fundamental principals and extensive experimental work obtaining data from measurement systems involving one or more of the following response types; acceleration, strain, displacement, pressure and temperature. Experience using signal conditioners and filters to obtain data from various instrumentation including piezoelectric and piezoresistive transducers, strain gauges and thermocouples. Experience developing state-of-the-art instrumentation. Experience applying data acquisition techniques to gather data with PC or instrument specific hardware. Demonstrated experience planning, performing, or interpreting tests for weapon systems tests. Demonstrated ability to select appropriate transducers and establish signal-conditioning parameters based on best available knowledge of test environments. Applied weapon engineering experience. Demonstrated operational experience related to security requirements. Experience with quality assurance implementation in a test environment.
Summary
Leads an extensive and diverse set of activities across multiple engineering disciplines or within a narrow, highly specialized field in support of engineering research and development (R&D), which is defined as the creative application of scientific principles to research, design, or develop structures, instruments, machines, experiments, processes, theories or technologies; or to construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design; or to forecast their behavior under ambiguous operating conditions. Skilled professional with expertise crossing several technical areas or depth in a particular area is required. Serves as a technical leader in one or more discipline areas.
Job Duties
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Safety and security are primary responsibilities for all Laboratory employees. Maintains required safety and security training and assures compliance; makes safety and security an integral part of every task. Takes steps to stop work if unsafe conditions exist or security is compromised.
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Adheres to engineering policies, programs, procedures and practices.
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Applies and interprets, on a broad basis, specialized, state-of-the-art engineering and scientific principles, techniques, methods and tools to provide solutions for an extensive and diverse range of complex and/or ambiguous problems where analysis of situations or data requires in-depth evaluation of variable factors.
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Leads the research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of novel engineering and technology solutions in support of R&D initiatives.
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Develops innovative advanced concepts, theories, methods, techniques and approaches to address specialized problems. May contribute to the development of industry standards. Develops new technical capabilities and creates opportunities to extend R&D engineering through the expansion of existing efforts.
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Leads the development of technical products such as journal papers, reports, presentations, and concept papers. Develops intellectual property leading to publications, copyrights, and/or patents. May contribute to technology transfer.
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Influences organizational, project, and program strategies and directions. Leads technical decision-making at task level within a project. Makes decisions and/or recommendations that influence the achievement of key programmatic objectives.
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Uses project assignments to further organizational goals. Develops and implements project management plans, including scope, schedule, and budget, for small to moderate projects and/or major project tasks. Defines deliverables at the project or major task level.
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Actively participates in professional societies, National Nuclear Security Administration/Department of Energy Complex interactions, special assignments, and/or external collaborations. Participates in external working groups and/or assists in organizing meetings and colloquia.
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Leads peer review of the work of others within his/her own organization and participates in peer review across organizations or disciplines.
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Enhances technical and professional expertise of junior staff through active mentoring and training.
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Contributes ideas for new proposals and business development opportunities. Leads development of technical section of small to moderate proposals. Acquires internal/external funding for self.
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Contributes to developments in industry, and develops new skills consistent with state-of-the-art. Attains additional certifications, qualifications, and/or recognitions to grow in field.
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Models a mutually respectful work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and that supports cooperation, teamwork, and resource sharing.
Job Knowledge
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Thorough knowledge of and experience in one or more of the following engineering disciplines: aerospace, biomedical, chemical, computational, electrical, mechanical, nuclear or other R&D engineering field.
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Thorough knowledge of and experience in designing, planning, and executing research and development projects.
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Thorough knowledge of and experience with application of the scientific method and with discipline-relevant standards for the ethical conduct of research.
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Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in implementing Laboratory policies affecting research and development activities, projects, and/or initiatives.
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Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in implementing Laboratory objectives and other statements of policy, practice, and/or procedure.
Education
Direction
A. Supervision Received
B. Supervision Exercised
C. Contacts
This description is not intended to be a complete statement of every aspect of the position, but rather to act as a guide to the essential functions to be performed. Assigned functions of this job may vary, and other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or changed at the discretion of management.
Pre-Employment Drug Test
The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a pre-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
Government Conflict of Interest
To ensure that you and LANL avoid any potential conflicts of interest, all current/former Government Officials must read and respond, if applicable, to the LANL Applicant Disclosure Form.
Contact
For specific questions about the status of this job, call (505)664-6947
