6 ways New Mexico colleges connect you with Lab careers — even if you’re not a scientist
Look for these programs in Española, Las Vegas, Los Alamos and Santa Fe
Los Alamos National Laboratory has a reputation for hiring the brightest minds from around the world — including New Mexico — since its inception in 1943. Today, about 40% of our 18,000 employees are from New Mexico and about 30% hold degrees from New Mexico institutions. If you’re wondering how you can earn a degree that leads to a job at the Laboratory, here’s a list of our training partnerships. Jobs like these are in high demand nationwide and offer competitive salaries.
Accounting, Finance and Supply Chain Management
New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM
4 year
Estimated starting salary: $96,000/year
New Mexico Highlands University and Los Alamos National Laboratory have collaborated to make sure that Highlands students studying business have the skills the Lab needs in fields like accounting, finance and procurement. Interested students can take a field trip to the Laboratory to meet with hiring managers, too. Recently, Highlands added a Supply Chain Management Emphasis, developed with input from the Laboratory, to its options for a business degree.
Cybersecurity
Northern New Mexico College, Española
4 year
Estimated starting salary: $125,000/year
Established in 2024, a new collaboration between the Laboratory and Northern New Mexico College trains students for careers in the fast-growing field of cybersecurity. Of the Lab’s approximately 18,000 employees, more than 1,200 work in some aspect of computing, including business systems, computer networking and desktop support as well as installing, maintaining and coding its supercomputers. Cybersecurity employees work to protect all these operations — from detecting threats to securing computing infrastructure and processes.
Machining
Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe
2 year
Estimated starting salary: $55,000/year
Machinists are highly trained technicians who fabricate prototypes, parts and replacement parts for specialized machines, including scientific equipment, space vehicles and weapons. Los Alamos National Laboratory teamed up with Santa Fe Community College to train machinists for jobs at the Lab. The program includes scholarships as well as a Lab cohort in which accepted students receive paid, hands-on, on-site training.
Mechanical Engineering
University of New Mexico—Los Alamos
4 year
Estimated starting salary: $140,000/year
Los Alamos National Laboratory recognizes that some of its most skilled and valuable mechanical engineers began their careers as mechanics. This collaboration with University of New Mexico-Los Alamos is geared to Lab mechanics who want to skill up while working full time, but is open to all applicants.
Radiation Protection
Northern New Mexico College, Española
2 year
Estimated starting salary: $74,000/year
Radiation control technicians, or RCTs, are safety professionals who work at hospitals, environmental agencies, nuclear reactors and scientific laboratories. They make sure that radiation is handled at safe levels and inspect environments for possible radiation contamination.
Welding
Luna Community College, Las Vegas, NM
1-2 year
Estimated starting salary: $47,000/year
At the Laboratory, welders fabricate and repair scientific and industrial equipment to exacting standards. Career pathways in welding can also lead to management of groups of welders and inspection of welding safety and quality. The Laboratory’s partnerships with Luna Community College trains students for careers like these.
Estimated salaries are from onetonline.org, operated by the U.S. Department of Labor.
