Principal Space Systems Engineer - Space-based Nuclear Detonation Detection (R&D Engineer 4)
Los Alamos National Laboratory· enterprise· Research & Development (National Security)· Oct 7, 2026 · 21d ago
Los Alamos, New Mexico
In office
Full-time
Principal
$143K–$219K est.
12+ years exp
Job description
What You Will Do
We are seeking an experienced professional with broad technical and management expertise to join our diverse and collaborative team in the role of Senior/Principal Space Systems Engineer. As a member of the Space Systems Assurance & Implementation Group (ISR-7), your role will be to translate mission needs into technical objectives and coordinate system integration and verification efforts for advanced spaceflight payload sensors. Our mission is broad, from technology innovation and discovery science to ensuring national and global security. Mission success is achieved through our cohesive, interdisciplinary teams of engineers, technicians, and scientists working within a highly creative and dynamic R&D environment.
The Principal Space Systems Engineer (PSSE) is a recognized technical expert in the development, testing, and operation of spaceflight payloads, provides technical and programmatic reporting to internal and external stakeholders, and collaborates with industry partners. The selected candidate will serve the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)-sponsored Space-based Nuclear Detonation Detection (SNDD) program, whose goal is to detect, locate, and report nuclear detonations in the atmosphere or near space in real-time. The program supports the development and deployment of space flight payloads for in situ and remote sensing of electromagnetic pulses, radiation, and the space environment, as well as data processing and physics-based analysis and interpretation systems. The PSSE will work closely with line managers, project leads, technical and programmatic staff, and sponsors with planning, requirements, integration, and communications. The PSSE supports the SNDD Program Manager and is a member of the SNDD program leadership team that plans, tracks, manages, and reports on the SNDD portfolio to the NNSA sponsor, the LANL Nuclear Nonproliferation and Security (NNS) program office, and LANL's Intelligence & Space Research (ISR) division, which executes the majority of SNDD work at Los Alamos.
Organizationally, the PSSE reports to the ISR-7 Group Leader. As a member of ISR-7, the successful candidate will provide systems engineering leadership, process oversight, and mentorship for the group's systems engineers. This programmatic and organizational leadership serves both overall mission execution and capability stewardship needed to guide ISR division into the future. This role includes the potential of additional programmatic and organizational leadership opportunities, with possible growth into a division-level systems engineering technical leadership role.
On any given day, you may be called to:
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to understand project scope and develop project requirements, systems engineering controls, and risk management strategies.
• Guide strategic technical planning and technical decision-making for large, complex space projects supporting national security objectives.
• Coordinate system integration activities across internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead technical peer reviews, engineering review boards, and root cause analysis teams for anomaly resolution.
• Serve as the program-level systems engineering subject matter expert and technical resource to staff across the SNDD program.
• Lead and coordinate a team of project-specific systems engineers for three multidecadal SNDD projects and various demonstration/validation payloads.
• Develop methods for tracking and resolving technical risks to support teams involved in time-sensitive troubleshooting of spaceflight payloads.
• Represent ISR while presenting results to peers, customers, and management in formal and informal settings.
• Interact with and provide feedback to ISR systems engineers regarding processes, technical approaches, and career trajectory, and/or other peer interactions typical of a senior-level position.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
• Space Systems Technical Expertise and Experience: Demonstrated systems engineering leadership roles in major space system development efforts from concept development, requirements solicitation and flowdown, through delivery and operations.
• Teaming & Communication: Proven ability to work and interact effectively in a dynamic team environment; to build and lead cross-organization collaborations and teams; and to motivate colleagues through common goals and objectives. Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to develop and present briefings that are clear and compelling.
• Leadership : Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, establishing strategic technical direction, and managing risks and requirements for large, complex, and/or high-risk projects throughout their full lifecycle.
• Problem-Solving: Track record of solving complex technical problems, applying industry best practices, establishing engineering processes and standards, and collaborating with internal and external experts. Proficiency in performing risk assessments and developing engineering solutions through analysis of complex technical data.
• Security: Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q Security Clearance and an SCI clearance, which may require a polygraph test.
Educational Experience
• Position requires a master's degree in engineering or related discipline (e.g., electrical, mechanical, aerospace engineering; or computer science/software) from an accredited institution and 12 years of related space systems engineering experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
• Candidates with a bachelor's degree require 18 years of related space systems engineering experience.
• Candidates with a PhD require 10 years of related space systems engineering experience.
Desired Qualifications:
• Experience leading systems engineering activities for projects across the risk spectrum, from long duration, high-reliability national security to lower TRL, experimental flight payload projects.
• Demonstrated record of successful partnerships with commercial space industry providers and technical partners.
• Experience working with Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) laboratories and plants including Pantex, Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and Kansas City National Security Campus/New Mexico Operations (KCNSC/NMO).
• Proficiency in modeling, simulation, and data analysis tools relevant to spaceflight system design, development, and performance.
• Academic or professional work experiences in areas such as engineering design, qualification, production, or related modeling/simulation projects.
• Graduate degree in engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Knowledge of DoD acquisition frameworks and processes.
• Active Q and/or SCI clearance
Note to Applicants: Please provide a detailed cover letter outlining specific examples on how you meet the minimum job requirements and any desired qualifications.
Work Environment:
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.
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (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
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.
Clearance: Q/SCI (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.
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.
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.
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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
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