R&D Engineer 2/3

R&D Engineer Position

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 level or the R&D Engineer 3 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. Detonator Production (DP) Division is the premier Production Agency (PA) assigned to produce War Reserve (WR) detonators for the Nation's nuclear stockpile security mission. The Division is part of LANL's Weapons Production Directorate and is comprised of a team of motivated, highly skilled technical and operational support staff working in a matrixed structure. The organization is centered on high-rigor manufacturing operations to produce precision, safe, and reliable WR detonator products. DP partners closely with customers and stakeholders such as NNSA (National Nuclear Security Administration), Weapon System Design Agencies (LANL, Sandia, and Livermore), and LANL program management organizations to deliver on uniquely challenging, high-consequence National security objectives. DP upholds vigorous teamwork, personal integrity, a respectful workplace, and continuous improvement in operations, technical excellence, safety, and security.

The Detonator Production Product Engineering group (DP-1) supports inert component fabrication and high explosive operations in the Detonator Production (DP) Division, part of the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP). The Product Engineers are considered the primary technical interface with the three design agencies and the NNSA stakeholders. Product Engineers focus on managing the technical requirements supporting production, improving yield and process control while ensuring accurate documentation (Travelers, Quality Instructions, and Standard Operating Procedures) drive data collection in support that successful product verification. Product Engineers collaborate heavily with Process Engineers in DP-2 to distill the product requirements into workable and robust manufacturing processes. Further, Product Engineers collaborate with Quality Engineers to ensure all documentation is compliant with the product requirements in support of Product Acceptance. Though the Product Engineers do not manage the programmatic schedule and financial requirements of a component, they must be familiar with and able to effectively communicate information in support of those activities. Product Engineers in Detonator Production generally will have specific manufacturing experience related to their field of expertise and can use the principles and theories of engineering, math, and science to drive a disciplined approach at solving technical problems in support of the manufacturing of Detonator Components. They will be called upon to support engineering/projects in the performance of complex and demanding assignments requiring initiative and independent judgment. They must be able to work independently and as part of a team and have excellent communication skills.

R&D Engineer 2 ($104,100-$172,200)

As an R&D Engineer 2 working as a Product Engineer, you will initiate and conduct engineering assignments that ensure consistent quality and high yield of product manufactured in the areas of inert component and detonator production operations for the Detonator Engineer Group (DP-2). Primary work scope includes, but is not limited to:

• Serve as a core member of the Product Realization Team (PRT), acting as the Production Agency technical point of contact.
• Serve as the PA interface with the Design Agency (DA) for their product regarding the overall design definition and design intent of their product.
• Work with Process engineers and Technical Project Managers to establish the process flows, provide input support of baseline plan creation and production strategy documentation.
• Lead the PA through programmatic technical reviews (e.g. Product Definition and Design Reviews, Production Readiness Reviews)
• Author proper Engineering Authorizations to communicate formal engineering intent to the Design Agency.
• Work with process and inspection engineers, technicians, and inspectors to resolve production issues.
• Collaborate with process engineers by engaging in process development, providing feedback on needed process improvements, and assisting with process improvement implementation.
• Identify cause of non-conformance and potential corrective actions for Non-Conforming Report (NCRs) that are related to their product. Provide disposition for nonconforming product.

R&D Engineer 3 ($125,200-$211,300)

In addition to what was outlined at the R&D Engineer 2, at R&D Engineer 3 level you will:

• Serve as a core member of the Product Realization Team (PRT), acting as the Production Agency technical lead and primary point of contact.
• Serve as the primary PA interface with the Design Agency (DA) for their product regarding the overall design definition and design intent of their product.
• Work with Process Engineers and Technical Project Managers to establish the process flows, provide input support of baseline plan creation and production strategy documentation.
• Lead the PA through programmatic technical reviews (e.g. Product Definition and Design Reviews, Production Readiness Reviews)
• Author proper Engineering Authorizations to communicate formal engineering intent to the Design Agency.
• Work with process and inspection engineers, technicians, and inspectors to resolve production issues.
• Collaborate with process engineers by engaging in process development, providing feedback on needed process improvements, and assisting with process improvement implementation.
• Identify cause of non-conformance and potential corrective actions for Non-Conforming Report (NCRs) that are related to their product. Provide disposition for nonconforming product.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Technical - Proven experience applying engineering principles, methods, and tools to complex problems. Can effectively apply technology, fixtures, and automation to produce the required result in the most efficient and repeatable way possible. Knowledge and application of Lean Manufacturing Principles.

Leadership - Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership in the day-to-day process of system startup & operation, tooling setup, in-process performance monitoring, component inspection, and engineering decision-making.

Analytical - Use data to identify areas of poor quality or efficiency and collaborate with all stakeholders to develop and implement improvements to make the manufacturing processes more robust.

Communication - Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with all levels of the department and division. Can effectively explain equipment usage and training processes to manufacturing technicians both verbally and through formal written documentation.

Quality - Demonstrated experience in monitoring process performance using Statistical Process Control, Six Sigma, and other methods.

Interpretation of Drawings - Proficiency in interpreting and translating complex design agency requirements in specifications and engineering drawings.

Sigma 15: This role requires the ability to obtain and maintain Sigma 15 entitlement. This entitlement is typically NOT granted to those individuals who carry a dual citizenship.

Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 3:

• Technical Expertise - Ability to understand and interpret complex statistical analysis techniques to monitor and determine root cause of potential issues.
• Leadership - Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership in the day-to-day process of system startup & operation, tooling setup, in-process performance monitoring, component inspection, and engineering decision-making.
• Analytical - Ensure that Producibility Ratings and Manufacturing Readiness Levels are reviewed, and issues are addressed. Willingness to become a derivative classifier.
• Communication - Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with all levels of the division and within the enterprise in general, including customer interface.
• Quality adherence and execution - Demonstrated experience in monitoring process performance using Statistical Process Control, Six Sigma, and other methods.
• Interpretation of Drawings - Advanced proficiency in interpreting and translating complex design agency specifications and engineering drawings. A very good working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing per ANSI Y14.5.
• Sigma 15: This role requires the ability to obtain and maintain Sigma 15 entitlement. This entitlement is typically NOT granted to those individuals who carry a dual citizenship.

R&D Engineer 2 Education/Experience: Position requires a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

R&D Engineer 3 Education/Experience: 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:

• Knowledge of the United States nuclear weapons programs, designs, and engineering.
• Previous experience or knowledge of manufacturing practices and process, such as, conduct of engineering and conduct of operations.
• Experience with weapon life cycle including surveillance.
• Experience in authoring standard operating instructions, work instructions or quality instructions.
• Proficient knowledge of Defense Programs Business System requirements.
• Working knowledge of the requirements contained in the Weapon Quality Assurance Program - Production Agency and implementing administrative procedures.
• Experience working as a derivative classifier
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