Modeling and Simulation Engineer (R&D Engineer 2/3)

What You Will Do The Advanced Engineering Analysis (AEA) Group, E‑13, seeks a motivated, experienced analyst to tackle technically challenging problems in national security. E‑13 provides expertise in modeling and simulation, material modeling, post‑processing, and interpretation of results for high‑consequence systems. The group brings together experts in structural mechanics, dynamics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and radiation transport to deliver high‑fidelity engineering insight. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and see your analyses influence design, testing, and mission outcomes. R&D Engineer 2 (Salary: $106,400 – $176,000) At the R&D Engineer 2 level, you will: Develop and execute high‑fidelity structural mechanics simulations Build, validate, and maintain complex FEA models Analyze system and component behavior under mechanical and thermal environments Collaborate closely with design, systems, and test engineers Present findings to technical teams and program stakeholders R&D Engineer 3 (Salary: $128,000 – $215,900) In addition to the R&D Engineer 2 responsibilities, you will: Lead complex, multi‑physics analysis efforts Mentor early‑career engineers and grow team capability Set technical direction and influence modeling strategy Build strong collaborations across the weapons program and beyond Interface directly with stakeholders to define analysis approaches and communicate constraints and limitations What You Need Minimum Job Requirements Engineering expertise: documented record of technical achievement in a relevant discipline (mechanical, structural, civil, or aerospace). Must operate across fidelity levels – from first‑principles calculations to large‑scale simulations. Experience with FEA preprocessors such as Cubit and FEA software such as Abaqus or Ansys. Demonstrated ability to model complex systems exposed to a wide range of mechanical and thermal environments. Experience interpreting and clearly communicating simulation results in the context of real systems. Computational Skills Meshing, material models, contact, and post‑processing experience. Experience developing or applying computational engineering tools (Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar). Exposure to parallel computing or large‑scale simulations is a plus. Communication and Teamwork Clear communication of complex technical ideas. Experience defining scope, meeting deadlines, and contributing to project planning. Ability to deliver work independently and within teams. Committed to technical rigor and peer review. Additional Job Requirements for R&D Engineer 3 Demonstrated leadership in engineering analysis teams. Experience integrating multi‑physics models across structural, thermal, and mechanical domains. Demonstrated ability to define project scope, schedule, and deliverables and work with customers. Education and Experience R&D Engineer 2: Bachelor’s degree in engineering and 4 years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. R&D Engineer 3: Master’s degree in engineering and 6 years of related experience, or equivalent combination. A Ph.D. may be preferred. Desired Qualifications Active DOE Q clearance or equivalent. Structural mechanics and thermal experience. Analysis or testing related to weapons structures. Instrumentation, signal processing, and data processing related to structural and thermal applications. Experience in one or more of the following areas: Weapons engineering Verification and validation of complex models Modern programming languages (Python, Matlab, C++) Modern software development tools (Sphinx, GitLab, Confluence) and best practices (unit testing, documentation) Data analysis and signal processing Parallel computing Computational workflow automation Error and uncertainty analysis Weapons physics Work Location Onsite, Los Alamos, NM. All locations are at the discretion of management. Clearance Position will be cleared to Q level. Selected applicants will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified material. Q clearance requires U.S. citizenship, except in extremely rare circumstances. 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, disability, 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 committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request. Requests can be directed to View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr