What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Research Technologist 2 or 3 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 technologist. The Sigma Complex is a unique prototyping and fabrication facility that specializes in providing material, components, and manufacturing science to the 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 that spans metal alloy, ceramic, and composite materials containing elements from hydrogen to beryllium to uranium, with a strong emphasis on unconventional materials.

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 with several different pressure/vacuum/gas systems, including using existing systems to conduct experiments and designing new systems to meet specific experimental objectives. Daily operations will require understanding and application of pressure and vacuum system technology, mechanical design/CAD and construction, machining, experimental control and data acquisition, analytical techniques and instrumentation, surface chemistry, and chemical kinetics. You will communicate results through oral and written reports to a diverse group of scientists, engineers, technicians, and technologists. Organization skills and working in a team-based environment are required to achieve these goals.

Research Technologist 2 ($92,300 - $151,100)

Research Technologist 2 will be responsible for:

• Design, construction, testing, and operation of vacuum/pressure/gas systems and equipment.
• Installation, design, testing, and operation of computer-based experimental control and data acquisition systems and equipment (particularly LabView or PLC-based systems)
• Design and assembly of fixtures and equipment; preparation of engineering drawings using CAD software; interfacing with machine shops
• You will apply the scientific method to address technical problems, operate and troubleshoot commercial and “home-built” equipment, including gloveboxes, and analyze data from experiments in the context of the underlying scientific principles or models. You will interface directly with staff scientists in carrying out collaborative work and communication of results, both verbally and in writing.

Research Technologist 3 ($101,700 - $168,200)

In addition to Research Technologist 2 responsibilities, a Research Technologist 3 will be periodically responsible for oversight of technologists, technicians, and/or students. You will need to be able to analyze experimental data and perform tasks to maintain high quality experiments, data collection, and archiving. Research Technologist 3 is expected to have technical depth in order to lead the entire design of a research project or experimental plan. 

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Minimum Job Requirements for Research Technologist 2:

• Experience in design, construction, testing, and operation of vacuum/pressure systems and associated mechanical/support fixturing.
• Basic machining knowledge and skills.
• Experience with electrical systems/electronics.
• Willingness to learn, maintain and operate analytical instrumentation.
• Motivated to be a self-guided learner of new techniques under the supervision of more experienced personnel.
• Willingness to work with radioactive materials and other hazardous materials, chemicals and solvents in a rigorous safety environment.
• Ability to acquire a Q-clearance, which almost always requires US citizenship.

 Minimum Job Requirements (Research Technologist-3): In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, requirements at the Research Technologist 3 level include one or more of the following:

• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience in design, construction, testing, and operation of vacuum/pressure systems and equipment
• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience with electrical systems/electronics.
• Ability to develop and modify equipment design, experimental methods, and procedures to achieve prescribed experiment objectives.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with computer aided design (CAD) for development of engineering drawings, general dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), programming and data acquisition using Labview, data analysis using Matlab and Origin software.
• 3-D Printing and prototyping to support realization of engineering designs
• Experience with G code.
• Experience in operating and/or maintaining analytical instrumentation.
• Hands-on experience with sample preparation, and data acquisition and analysis resulting in reports or published manuscripts.
• Demonstrated mechanical or electrical design and implementation experience within a Quality Controlled / Quality Assurance framework.
• Written and oral communication skills, including experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience performing laboratory equipment or instrument specification, procurement, assembly, modification, maintenance, repair, and automation.

• In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, desired qualifications at the Research Technologist 3 level include one or more of the following:
• Expert level experience performing laboratory equipment or instrument specification, procurement, assembly, modification, maintenance, repair, and automation.
• Advanced experience with computer aided design (CAD), Labview, Matlab and Origin software.
• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience in operating and/or maintaining analytical instrumentation.
• Advanced hands-on experience with sample preparation, and data acquisition and analysis resulting in reports or published manuscripts.
• Demonstrated mechanical or electrical design and implementation experience within a Quality Controlled / Quality Assurance framework.
• Written and oral communication skills, including experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Education/Experience at Research Technologist 2 level: Position requires a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution and 5 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

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 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 (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.