Job Title: Vacuum/Pressure and Mechanical Research Technician 4/5

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Research Technician 4 or 5 level, depending on the skills/experience of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Sigma-1 is seeking qualified applicants for a research technician. The Sigma Complex is a unique prototyping and fabrication facility that specializes in providing material, components, and manufacturing science to Los Alamos experimental programs. The experimental mission spans the US nuclear weapons program, DOD, work with universities, Intelligence Agencies, and many other customers. As part of this mission, Sigma Division works with a broad range of materials from stainless steel and aluminum to special materials such as ceramics, uranium, and beryllium.

You will work in a highly collaborative team environment, interfacing routinely with other Sigma Division staff as well as deployed personnel (Industrial Hygiene, Health Physics, Shipping, Facility Operations) to complete program objectives. You will work to design, fabricate, and execute a variety of experiments that require the use of vacuum systems, pressure systems, custom-fabricated assemblies and fixtures, as well as conduct pre- and post-experiment mechanical and/or chemical characterization of materials. Daily operations typically require understanding and application of vacuum and pressure technology, mechanical design and construction, preparation of engineering drawings, prototyping (e.g., via 3-D printing), interfacing with internal and external machine shops, and working in a glovebox. You will communicate results through written updates and/or reports to scientists, engineers, technicians, and technologists. Organization skills and working in a team-based environment are required to achieve these goals.

Research Technician 4 ($69,500 to $110,300)

At the Research Technician 4 level, individuals will work independently but with regular guidance/supervision from mentors and/or engineers/scientists. General job duties include:
Design, construction, testing, and operation of vacuum/pressure systems and equipment.Design and construction of equipment, assemblies, and fixtures.Use of hand tools and machine tools (lathe, mill, etc.)Working in and maintaining gloveboxes.Interfacing with external and/or internal machine shops.Electronics troubleshooting and repair.Handling, usage, and storage of compressed gas cylinders.Documentation of work performed (i.e., in a lab notebook), and communication of results with mentor(s) and/or customers both verbally and in writing.
Research Technician 5 ($83,900 to $136,600)

A Research Technician 5 will be expected to perform the above activities independently with only occasional supervision from the mentor(s). Further responsibilities include:
Support for and/or independent performance of mechanical and/or chemical analyses.Prototyping of complex mechanical designs, using e.g., 3-D printingAssembling data into figures and/or first-draft reports.Maintenance of high-quality data collection and archiving.Occasional oversight of junior technicians and/or students. Installation, testing, and/or operation of computer-based experimental control and data acquisition systems and equipment.
What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Minimum Job Requirements for Research Technician 4:
Strong hands-on mechanical skills.Experience collecting and documenting data/information.Basic knowledge of design concepts, construction, and operation of vacuum/pressure systems and equipment.Experience in design and construction of mechanical fixturing and assemblies.Basic machining knowledge and skills (e.g., lathe, mill, etc.) Willingness to work in inert atmosphere gloveboxes.Willingness to work with radioactive and other hazardous materials, chemicals, and solvents in a rigorous safety environment.Experience (1-3 years) with email, word processing, spreadsheets, and data analysis software (e.g., Microsoft Office).Written and oral communication skills, and the ability to interact effectively with technical and operations personnel.Ability to obtain a Q-clearance, which normally requires US citizenship.
Minimum Job Requirements for Research Technician 5: In addition to requirements outlined for the Technician 4 level listed above, requirements at the Research Technician 5 level include one or more of the following:
Experience (1-3 years) in design, construction, testing, and operation of vacuum/pressure systems and equipment.Ability to develop and modify equipment design, experimental methods, and procedures to achieve prescribed experiment objectives.Experience (1-3 years) using computer-assisted design software, such as SolidWorks.Ability to support and/or independently perform analytical measurements.Ability to assemble data into figures and/or first-draft reports.\

Education/Experience at Research Technician 4 Level: Position requires minimum of an Associate's Degree and 5 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at Research Technician 5 Level: Position requires minimum of an Associate's Degree and 7 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

Desired Job Requirements (Research Technician 4):
In addition to the minimum job requirements, desired qualifications at the Research Technician 4 level include one or more of the following:Experience with computer aided design (CAD) for development of engineering drawings, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).3-D Printing and prototyping to support realization of engineering designs.Experience troubleshooting electrical systems/electronics. Familiarity with a computer numerical control (CNC) and 3D printing programming language, such as G code.

Desired Job Requirements (Research Technician 5):

In addition to the minimum job requirements for a Research Technician 5, desired qualifications at the Technician 5 level include one or more of the following:
Advanced knowledge (3-5 years of experience) in design, construction, testing, and operation of vacuum/pressure systems and equipment.Advanced knowledge (3-5 years of experience) using computer aided design (CAD) for development of engineering drawings, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).Advanced knowledge (3-5 years of experience) with installation, testing, and operation of computer-based experimental control and data acquisition systems and equipment, such as LabView.Experience (1-3 years) using a computer numerical control (CNC) and 3D printing programming language, such as G code.
Essential Job Functions(can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):
Ability to apply torque with hands or arms, good hand eye coordination and fine motor control, ability to lift 25 pounds to a height of 3-4 feet and load into an enclosed space.
Note to Applicants: For full consideration, your application must include a resume and a cover letter that addresses how you meet the required and desired skills.

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.

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 networkDental and vision insuranceFree basic life and disability insurancePaid childbirth and parental leaveAward-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)Learning opportunities and tuition assistanceFlexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)Onsite gyms and wellness programsExtensive 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.

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.