Analytical Chemistry Quality Engineer 3/4 Job at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos, NM

What You Will Do

The Actinide Analytical Chemistry (C-AAC) group is seeking an Analytical Chemistry Quality Engineer that will guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of processes, procedures and applications contributing to the overall objective of maintaining an effective quality program for the Actinide Analytical Chemistry Group (C-AAC).

As a Quality Engineer for C-AAC, the successful candidate will work with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on the Quality Team to develop and implement protocols to ensure analytical laboratory operations are compliant with chemistry laboratory quality protocols and procedures and provide robust quality oversite to analytical chemistry operations for C-AAC. Work with all teams in C-AAC and institutional quality to strengthen the C-AAC quality program. Lead the accreditation of ISO 17025 and implement the weapons program quality program to ensure compliance. Work collaboratively as part of a team, providing leadership and mentorship for others. Fostering strong relationships with customers, peers, and service providers. Identify and address productivity impediments and promote work process improvements.

This position will be filled at either the Quality Engineer 3/4 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.

Quality Engineer 3 $99,200 - $164,100
  • Lead in determining and defining C-AAC quality assurance/control objectives and assignments.
  • Ensure C-AAC results, materials, processes, and final products meet quality specifications and are completed and accurate according to established requirements.
  • Lead in directing other team quality personnel in the planning, conduct, and reporting of internal independent assessments, surveillances, and audits.
  • Provide direct oversight of team members.
  • Prepare, train others, and implement institutional level QA policies and QA procedures.
  • Ensure Procedures and Policies are adhered to by performing internal assessments.
  • Working with our teams, in our group, correct deficiencies and work to improve operations.
  • Prime interface between institutional QA and the group
  • Work as a lead for the group for Assessments and Audits by outside organizations
  • Ensure analytic data quality meets or exceeds customer expectations.
  • Ensure data packages are completed in a timely manner and meet all QA/QC requirements.

Quality Engineer 4 $119,200 - $201,100

In addition to the duties of the Quality Engineer3 the selected candidate will:
  • Determine and define C-AAC quality assurance/control objectives and assignments.
  • Provide direct oversight of quality team members.
  • ISO17025 Accreditation Lead
  • Work as a lead for the group for Assessments and Audits by outside organizations

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Quality Engineer 3
  • Advanced level knowledge of and experience with chemistry laboratory analytical quality assurance/control
  • Extensive knowledge of and experience with quality assurance methodologies. Readily understands and interprets various quality standards and procedures
  • Advanced knowledge and experience with ISO 17025, NAP 401.1 and NQA-1 protocols
  • Advanced level knowledge of assessment/audit practices

Additional Job Requirements for Quality Engineer 4

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
  • Expert level knowledge of and experience with chemistry laboratory analytical quality assurance/control
  • Extensive knowledge of and experience with quality assurance methodologies. Readily understands and interprets various quality standards and procedures
  • Expert knowledge and experience with ISO 17025, NAP 401.1 and NQA-1 protocols
  • Expert level knowledge of assessment/audit practices

Education/Experience for Quality Engineer Level 3: Position requires a bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Assurance, or Industrial Systems Engineering or a related field and 8 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience for Quality Engineer Level 4: Position requires a bachelor's degree and 12 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. Advanced relevant degree preferred.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Background or experience in quality applications in Analytical Chemistry or other highly regulated laboratory environment
  • Active Q clearance

Essential Job Functions(can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):
  • Standing
  • Use of both hands
  • Use of both arms
  • Fine motor control

Location: This position will be in Los Alamos, New Mexico with the potential for a hybrid work arrangement (partially onsite/partially offsite) from a location within 2 hours ground commute of this location. Reporting onsite will be periodically required. Hybrid is at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.

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.

Note to Applicants:

  • For full consideration, please submit a comprehensive resume and cover letter reflective of your relevant experience to the job requirements and desired skills stated above.
  • Evaluation of applicants will commence immediately.

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.

The Actinide Analytical Chemistry (C-AAC) Group at Los Alamos National Laboratory provides expertise in chemical and radiochemical analysis of materials where actinide elements make up a significant portion of the sample. These analyses range from assay of the major components down to trace analysis of impurities - spanning over seven orders of magnitude of chemical analysis capability. In support of these capabilities, the group has the key facilities, glove boxes, hoods, analytical instrumentation, and technical expertise for safely handling and analyzing milligram to kilogram quantities of special nuclear material.

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 maternity and parental leave
  • Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
  • Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
  • Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, 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.

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

426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

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.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, 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 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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-665-4444 option 1.Employment StatusFull TimeAppointment TypeRegularRegular

Fraud Warning:

Unfortunately, employment scams are real. Sometimes bad actors try to impersonate a hiring organization in an attempt to gain an applicant’s personal or financial information.

Please be aware that Los Alamos National Laboratory will never ask for funds for equipment or otherwise at any stage of the application or employment process. Official correspondence with the Laboratory will come from an email ending in lanl.gov.

If you feel that you have been the victim of a scam, please contact your local law enforcement agency.




Please Note :
blog.nvalabs.org is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, blog.nvalabs.org provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, Site.com is the ideal place to find your next job.