Come be part of the Pit Technologies Division as a Research Tec. You will be working at the Plutonium Center of Excellence located in Northern New Mexico at Los Alamos National Laboratory. We provide plutonium pit related products and services of superior quality and value to protect our nation and promote world stability.  Pits are a key component of nuclear weapons.

As a manufacturing technician, you will work in a team environment within LANL’s nuclear facility to manufacture product, support material movement and support glove box operations. The majority of the daily work is “hands-on” glovebox work in support of plutonium processing. Processes at Los Alamos National Laboratory are performed in PF-4 using Detailed Operating Procedures (DOPs) and Integrated Work Documents (IWDs) to produce quality products. This position requires knowledge and experience using Conduct of Operations, nuclear criticality safety, material control and accountability, radiological safety, and environment compliance requirements. Work directly relates to national security objectives, requiring the individual to protect and maintain sensitive or classified information. The job will require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance and enrollment in the Human Reliability Program (HRP).

You will be trained to perform several tasks that could include manufacturing operations in the areas of plutonium processing, metal processing, casting, vacuum equipment operations, welding, mechanical assembly, leak testing, equipment troubleshooting, and equipment maintenance. You will use a variety of bench-top equipment and ensure all work, materials, processes, and final product meet quality specifications and are completed according to established requirements. Working with radioactive and hazardous materials will also be an integral part of your job. You will follow detailed operating procedures and integrated work documents.

Research Tec 1 will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Maintain required safety and security training and assure compliance; make safety and security an integral part of every task. Take steps to stop work if unsafe conditions exist or security is comprised.
• Complete necessary training to perform all tasks safely.
• Understand and adhere to all Laboratory and industry regulatory guidance and governance specific to experimental activities.
• Is on track to gain sufficient experience so that all work, materials, processes, and final product can meet quality specifications and can be completed according to established requirements.
• Promote a mutually respectful work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.
• Assignment may include exposure to a broad scope in multiple areas; but limited technical depth.
• Conduct technical work in the laboratory space or work area, as instructed and overseen by supervisor.  Record procedures, equipment, parameters used in technical work, capture findings and data.  Is on track to learn how to analyze findings and data, develop preliminary interpretation of results, summarize outcomes, and plan next stages of technical work.  Work primarily with supervisor in the conduct of the technical work.
• Perform entry level work as a technician. Assignments are characterized by specific and detailed instructions for routine or semi-routine tasks, within established priorities, procedures, processes, requirements, or specifications. Work is reviewed for soundness of judgement, overall adequacy, and accuracy.  Work is performed under supervision.
• TA-55 specific duties include providing support on actinide materials i.e., plutonium (Pu) in a Pu facility.  Most work occurs inside engineering safety glove boxes. Typical customer product ranges from rapid prototype for research and development, to ML1/MS2 product to weapon related components made from actinide and non-actinide materials. Customer base is comprised of internal and external organizations, including Pu Sustainment/Pit Manufacturing, Pit Surveillance, and Dynamic Pu Experiments.