What You Will Do

The Integrated Weapons Experiments (J) Division, Nevada Operations (J-NV) Group is looking for a Software Engineer or Computer Scientist to develop and maintain control systems for explosives experiments and analysis software for experiment results as part of the Laboratory’s missions in Weapons Physics and Global Security.  The person in this position will work with J-NV to design, develop, and troubleshoot high-fidelity control suites for experiment hardware, to assist in the reduction of experiment data, and to maintain and improve computer and software capabilities within the group.  Control hardware for experiments can include National Instruments-based CompactDAQ and Siemens PLC hardware and involve either LabVIEW or ladder logic programming on any given project.  The group’s analysis software currently includes extensive Java and Python code, as well as routines built within LabVIEW, Mathematica, MATLAB, and even MS Excel.

The position will be physically located in Nevada and the candidate will be directly involved in the installation of controls hardware and in setting up and conducting experiments with explosives. This position will require occasional travel and requires the candidate to obtain and maintain a Q-clearance as well as participation in LANL’s Human Reliability Program certification.

Hardware: Candidate must possess significant knowledge of how computer software and hardware interact with one another and how computational uncertainties can accumulate in data.  Must understand how to plan and carefully execute a sequence of events for a dynamic experiment and record data during testing.

Design: Demonstrated knowledge and skills building reusable code that enables the implementation of software packages.  Significant knowledge of how to build one-off software packages in a way that minimizes similar development in the future. 

Communication: Significant experience building user interfaces and instructing users on the underlying functionality and implications of the algorithms built into software.  The ability to write technical reports and create presentations for a wide range of audience backgrounds.

Programming: Significant experience in numerical analysis using basic computer codes and software.  Knowledge of at least one common programming language (Java, Python, C, FORTRAN, etc.) and the programming of software to control research instrumentation.

Education/Experience:

Positions requires a Bachelor’ degree in a STEM field from an accredited college and university and 4 years of related experience, typically with post-doctoral research experience at a university or national lab or equivalent experience directly related to the occupation

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with GUI programming in LabVIEW.
• Familiarity with ladder logic and Siemens PLC.
• Experience working with explosives or in other high-hazard environments, including work within safety guidelines such as those in the DOE Explosives Safety Manual or equivalent.
• Experience with the mechanical design of experiment hardware, machining and/or 3D printing of hardware.
• Experience working in a team environment with many moving parts.
• Active Q Clearance.

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):

Peripheral vision, Depth perception, Binocular vision, Reading vision, Distance vision, Ability to speak, Ability to discriminate speech, Ability to hear in a normal range (500 to 3000 Hz), Ability to hear safety alarms, Ability to smell, Sitting, Standing, Walking, Climbing stairs, Climbing Ladders, Bending, Stooping, Crouching, Kneeling, Twisting the trunk or back, Balancing, Reaching overhead, Reaching horizontally, Reaching down, Applying torque with hands or arms, Gripping with the hand, Pressing with hands or arms, Pushing with hands or arms, Pulling with hands or arms, Typing, Fine motor control, Use of both hands, Use of both arms, Use of both legs, Use of both feet, Lifting 30+ pounds, Carrying 30+ pounds

Work Environment:

Outdoors, In confined space, Heights, Underground, Working alone, Working overtime or irregular schedule, Domestic/foreign travel, Operation of motor vehicles, Work with weapons or explosives, Work with vibrating equipment/machinery, Work near machinery with moving parts, toxic chemicals, irritant chemicals, dusts or powders, sprays, mists, or vapors, fumes, carcinogens, Hearing protection, Gloves or hand protection, Safety shoes or protective foot-gear, Headgear or head protection, safety glasses or eye protection, face shield or facial protection, Mask or respirator.

Work Location: 

This position is located at the Nevada National Security Site and requires living in the Las Vegas, Nevada area. 

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.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of 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

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.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program.  You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th.  The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.