Design Engineer jobs in Santa Fe, NM

What You Will Do The Systems Design and Analysis Group (NEN-5) provides the opportunity for you to collaborate with a team of technical experts in the area of nuclear systems, ranging from nuclear systems design, development of computational methodologies, and high-fidelity simulations of nuclear systems. Our staff focuses upon a broad spectrum of nuclear system applications including special purpose reactor design and demonstration for space and terrestrial applications, radiation transport code applications, high fidelity simulation of nuclear systems and nuclear fuels, systems modeling, nuclear fuel cycles and nuclear security. Recent successes include the design, development, and testing of a prototype fission reactor named Kilowatt Reactor Using Stirling Technology (KRUSTY). Our diverse workforce enjoys a collegial work environment focused on creative problem solving, where everyone's opinions and ideas are considered. With great breadth in the programs supported by NEN-5, it is not essential for candidates to have expertise in all technical areas of interest. Depending on the specific skill set of the selected candidate, there will be opportunities to work in one or more of the following areas: * Solve important and challenging radiation transport or reactor safety problems for a variety of applications.
* Develop and/or apply tools for high-fidelity simulations of reactor systems.
* Perform high-fidelity computational modeling for a range of phenomena including one or more of the following: neutronics, thermal hydraulics, nuclear fuel performance or other thermo-mechanical processes.
* Analyze reactor designs, including analysis of issues related to one or more of the following: neutronics, structural mechanics, heat transfer, fluid flow, or safety.
There are opportunities for technically advanced work performed here to be published in journals or conference proceedings. This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 or 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. R&D Engineer 2 ($99,200 -$164,100) You are expected to: * Execute high quality modeling and/or simulation research in a nuclear-related field within the group.
* Participate in a fast-paced work environment and interface between multiple disciplines.
* Document and/or present advanced technical work clearly and effectively.
* Undertake domestic travel as periodically required based on programmatic needs.
R&D Engineer 3 level ($119,200 - $201,100) In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level the successful candidate will: * Develop innovative or advanced concepts, theories, methods, techniques or approaches to address specialized problems.
* Lead technical decision-making at task level within a project; making decisions and/or recommendations that influence the achievement of key programmatic objectives.
* Mentor and train junior staff or students as they develop as researchers.
* Develop and/or contribute ideas for new proposals and business development opportunities and acquires funding for self.
* Lead peer review of the work of others in the Group and participate in peer reviews across organizations or disciplines.
What You Need Minimum Job Requirements: Technical Knowledge * Demonstrated expertise in modeling and simulations related to one or more of the following disciplines: nuclear engineering, radiation transport calculations, reactor depletion simulations, computational thermal, solid, or fluid modeling, nuclear fuels and/or materials, nuclear chemistry, process modeling, nonproliferation, or related research areas.
Professional Integrity * Demonstrated commitment to quality research, technical and scientific excellence, professional integrity, and personal initiative.
Communication * Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
* Experience developing and giving technical presentations and publishing in one or more of the following areas: nuclear engineering, physics, mechanical engineering, or other closely related technical field of study.
Collaboration * Proven ability to work independently and in multi-organizational teams.
* Demonstrated ability to foster an environment of teamwork, quality, technical excellence, innovation, and creativity.
* Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, set priorities, and create detailed action plans.
Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 3: In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires: Technical Knowledge * Minimum of 6 years of demonstrated experience in modeling and simulation related to more than one of the following disciplines: nuclear engineering, radiation transport calculations, reactor depletion simulations, computational thermal, solid, or fluid modeling, nuclear fuels and/or materials, nuclear chemistry, process modeling, nonproliferation, or related research areas.
Technical Leadership * Demonstrated experience developing innovative or advanced concepts, theories, methods, techniques or approaches to address specialized problems.
* Demonstrated experience leading technical decision-making at task level within a project; making decisions and/or recommendations that influence the achievement of key programmatic objectives.
* Demonstrated ability to mentor junior staff or students as they develop as researchers.
Education/Experience for R&D Engineer 2: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) accredited institution and 4 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. Education/Experience for R&D Engineer 3: 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 PhD may be preferred. Desired Qualifications: Demonstrated experience in one or more areas of nuclear science or engineering: * Nuclear systems, reactor design, or high-fidelity reactor simulations.
* Advanced knowledge in designing reactors or in developing multi-physics models of nuclear systems.
* Modeling and simulation tools for one or more of the following: radiation transport, depletion, fuel performance, systems, thermal-hydraulics, or CFD modeling.
* Experience in designing or modeling criticality experiments.
* Experience with steady-state simulations, transient simulations, or safety analyses of reactor systems.
* Lower length scale phenomenological modeling.
* Familiarity with emerging reactor technologies, nuclear fuel cycles or their vulnerabilities to diversion or theft.
* Working knowledge of radiation detection.
* Familiarity with material processing, fabrication, or metallurgy.
* Familiarity with nuclear security concepts.
Demonstrated experience in one or more of these computational areas: * Experience in modeling and simulation using one or more of the following: radiation transport codes (such as MCNP, Serpent, OpenMC, other), burn or depletion codes, or fuel performance codes (such as MOOSE/BISON).
* Application of multi-physics simulation tools such as the MOOSE-based suite or VERA simulation environment.
* Familiarity with Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
* Familiarity with computational fluid dynamics codes (such as Fluent or Star-CCM) or nuclear thermal hydraulics codes (such as TRACE or RELAP).
* Facility with parallel computing.
* Facility with visualization or processing of large, complex scientific datasets.
* Ability to program and knowledge of one or more programming languages such as Python, Java, SQL, Perl, C , or Fortran.
* Advanced programming skills or experience linking simulation tools.
Clearance: Active DOE Q clearance. Note to Applicants: In addition to the resume or CV, you must include a cover letter addressingeach of the minimum job requirements and desired skills. Location: This position will be physically located in Los Alamos, NM. 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. 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
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
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 t