Digital Space Instrument Electrical Engineer (R&D Engineer 3)

What You Will Do Come join our passionate team of R&D engineers and scientists supporting national security! The Space Electronics and Signal Processing (ISR-4) Group is seeking R&D Electrical Engineers to assist and lead the design and development of high-quality, innovative measurement systems followed by their deployment to space for national security applications and NASA missions. This job is the essence of "Cradle to Grave" engineering; once designed, built, and tested, you will often provide subject matter expertise for payload delivery, launch, and operations over the life of the mission whether in earth orbit for 10+ years, Mars, or deep space. ISR Division designs, builds, delivers, and exploits innovative ground‑and space‑based measurement systems and provides unique analysis and interpretation of data from these systems. We succeed through our cohesive, interdisciplinary teams of engineers, technicians, and scientists working within a highly creative and dynamic R&D environment. Our projects range from cutting‑edge scientific explorations expanding our knowledge of the universe, to ensuring national and global security. ISR's 400+ instruments fly on over 200 satellites, including numerous NASA missions like Voyager, which has left our solar system, and the last two Mars Rovers. For more information go to lanl.gov/space. If you possess self‑initiative and enjoy working in a small team environment of rapid prototype, high quality, low volume, electrical assemblies this is the job for you. ISR-4 is looking for a few highly motivated mid‑career electrical engineers to assist in the development of custom instrumentation for various space‑based detection systems. These systems can include: Satellite‑based detectors for space monitoring programs in support of nonproliferation and nuclear event detection missions; Payloads for planetary science missions; Smallsat and Cubesat systems. As a Digital Space Instrument Design Engineer (R&D Engineer 3), you will collaborate across science and engineering disciplines to define instrument requirements and lead the design, modeling, fabrication, and testing of spaceflight hardware, with a primary focus on architecting high‑speed data acquisition with FPGA‑based systems. You are a recognized technical contributor with advanced expertise, capable of independently driving complex designs and ensuring performance in demanding space environments. In this role, you serve as a technical leader within ISR, providing in‑depth evaluation of design tradeoffs and guiding key engineering decisions. You apply advanced electrical engineering methodologies with a strong commitment to safety, security, and quality. You also contribute to team growth through mentorship, collaboration, and clear technical communication, while continuing to expand your own expertise and impact. What You Need Minimum Job Requirements Engineering Expertise Demonstrated advanced experience in digital electronic design for instrumentation or similar high‑performance systems, including: FPGA‑based design and implementation using VHDL; High‑speed data acquisition and digital signal processing architectures; Design, integration, and verification of high‑throughput communication interfaces such as SpaceWire, Ethernet, serial transceivers, or related protocols in the Gb/s regime; Synchronous digital design, simulation, timing analysis, synthesis, routing, and hardware validation; Development of test benches, verification methodologies, and debugging strategies for FPGA‑based systems; Integration of digital subsystems with analog, sensor, and embedded processing hardware; Experience debugging & troubleshooting circuits/prototypes in a lab environment. Communication and Teaming Demonstrated ability to lead and execute technical work both independently and in a multidisciplinary team environment with engineers, scientists, and technicians. Applies advanced expertise in one or more areas of engineering to guide the research, design, verification, and validation of electrical engineering solutions. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts, support sound decision‑making, and collaborate effectively across disciplines. Proven capability to understand the broader system context and integrate electrical design decisions with inputs from other subject matter experts. Recognized for strong organizational skills, sound technical judgment, and the ability to evaluate design tradeoffs at the task and subsystem level. Demonstrates initiative in influencing project execution and contributing to team or organizational direction, including mentoring and supporting the development of early‑career staff. Security Clearance Ability and desire to obtain Q/SCI clearance/access, which requires U.S. citizenship. Education/Experience Position requires a master’s degree in engineering and 6 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Desired Qualifications Experience in one or more of the following areas is desired but not required: Digital Systems: FPGA‑based design (VHDL/Verilog), digital interfaces, and embedded systems integration; High‑Speed Interface Design: SerDes (JESD204, Ethernet, PCIe, USB (3.x), and/or 100G+ Ethernet); Mixed‑Signal Systems: Cross‑domain optimization of analog, digital, and power subsystems for overall instrument performance; Knowledge of configuration management tools and processes; Experience with space‑flight hardware development and formal verification methods desirable; Proficiency in 2D/3D Signal and Power Integrity (SI/PI) simulation tools (e.g., Ansys HFSS/SIwave or Siemens HyperLynx); Hands‑on experience with Bit Error Rate Testers (BERTs), Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs) and/or Time Domain Reflectometers (TDRs); Active Q/SCI clearance/access. Note to Applicants In addition to providing a resume, applicants should also include a cover letter detailing their experience as applied to the job requirements. Work Location The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management. 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 or 2 years. 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). 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. Clearance 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. 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 the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre‑offer. Regular Position Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular‑status positions are converted to regular status. 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 or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, 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 also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to View email address on click.appcast.io or call View phone number on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr