Los Alamos National Laboratory Research Engineer Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 12 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
R&D Engineer
Entry Average Negative experience Decline offer 1 round
Interview process
Recruiter call Background check Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral
Applied online Sep 17th. Interview scheduled Oct 1st. Was told I was selected and asked for references Oct 17th. BGV completed Oct 28th. Nov 13th, I was told there was no budget so they couldn't hire me. Don't get your hopes high with this company, their system is flawed and budget is political. Ask to see if you can wait to provide references until you get a written offer so they don't waste your time and your references time!
Confirmed questions1 question
- What makes you want to leave your current job and join LANL?
Los Alamos National Laboratory
R&D Engineer
Entry Average Neutral experience No offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Onsite Background check
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical Other
Was contacted by a recruiter to set up a virtual interview. Interviewed by 2 engineers where I was asked to describe my resume and relevant experience. After a few weeks, I was emailed back to set up an in-person interview at LANL. I was given a tour of the facility and asked more questions. These included a GD&T quiz and more specific questions about my engineering and machining experience. I was told I would be contacted only if I received an offer, which I did not.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Given a GD&T drawing, describe it.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
R&D Engineer
Mid Average Positive experience Accept offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Presentation Onsite Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical Presentation
I applied on the Lab website, which was a pretty standard process; fill out personal information, submit resume and cover letter, etc. About two months passed before I was contacted for a phone interview. The phone interview was about an hour, and I was being interviewed by about 10 people. Prior to the interview, they Lab sent me the questions they would be asking and they stuck to them (ie. no curveballs). They would ask the questions, I would respond, then we would discuss my response. After a week or two I was contacted about visiting the Lab for an on-site interview. All expenses were paid by the Lab, and the interview/tour lasted most of the day. I would say the same people that were in the phone interview were also present for the on-site interview. I had to write a short presentation about myself, and the interviewers would ask questions based on what I presented. I received an offer about 3 weeks after the on-site interview. The interview was more of a conversation instead of an interrogation, which helped to relieve my anxiety. Everyone in the interview was courteous and answered my questions truthfully.
Confirmed questions1 question
- What are your thoughts on working on nuclear weapons?
Los Alamos National Laboratory Research Engineer Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from Los Alamos National Laboratory interview reports.
“Given a GD&T drawing, describe it.”
Read reports →“Do you currently hold a Department of Energy Q Clearance?”
Read reports →“What are your thoughts on working on nuclear weapons?”
Read reports →“What makes you want to leave your current job and join LANL?”
Read reports →“How did this project contribute to your engineering knowledge?”
Read report →“What draws you to this particular role?”
Read report →“Can you explain why you only stayed at your previous companies for a short time?”
Read report →“The job posting lists a very specific skillset; can you confirm you have all the required experience?”
Read report →“Can you talk about your understanding of engineering concepts, principles, practices, and procedures?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 12 Los Alamos National Laboratory interview reports.