Job Information
Los Alamos National Laboratory Vacuum Technology and Data Acquisition Research Technologist 2 in Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
This position will be filled at the Research Technologist 2 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. Customers of Sigma's experimental mission range from the US nuclear weapons program, DOD, academia, intelligence agencies, and many others. As part of this mission, Sigma Division works with a broad range of materials including stainless steel, aluminum, 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 with several different pressure/vacuum 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 vacuum technology, mechanical design and construction, experimental control, data acquisition, analytical techniques, and instrumentation. 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 will be responsible for:
Design, construction, testing, and operation of vacuum/pressure systems and equipment.
Installation, design, testing, and operation of computer-based experimental control and data acquisition systems/equipment (particularly LabView or PLC-based systems).
Preparation of engineering drawings to support design and assembly of fixtures and equipment.
Working with radioactive materials and other hazardous materials, chemicals, and solvents in a rigorous safety environment.
You will apply the scientific method to address technical problems, operate and troubleshoot commercial and "home-built" equipment, 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.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Experience in design, construction, testing, and operation of vacuum/pressure systems and equipment.
Experience with software such as computer aided design (CAD), Labview, Matlab, and Origin.
Experience with electrical systems/electronics.
Demonstrated ability and willingness to learn, operate, and maintain analytical instrumentation
Demonstrated ability to learn new techniques independently, while working under the guidance of experienced personnel
Written and oral communication skills, including 2-3 years experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.
Ability to acquire and maintain a Q-clearance.
Education/Experience: 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.
Desired Qualifications:
Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience (3-5 years) in design, construction, testing, and operation of vacuum/pressure systems and equipment.
Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience (3-5 years) in designing and programming data acquisition routines (e.g. in LabView, Click PLC, etc.).
Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience (3-5 years) with constructing and operating data acquisition systems and data analysis.
Ability to develop and modify equipment design, experimental methods, and procedures to achieve prescribed experiment objectives.
Experience working in gloveboxes.
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.
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.
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.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
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 (https://int.lanl.gov/org/ddops/oma/prime-contract-management/applicable-directives/_assets/docs/DOE-O-206.2-Chg-2-LtdChg-Identity,-Credential,-and-Access-Management-ICAM-1.pdf) . 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 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-border-a-chg1-ltdchg/@@images/file) 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 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, 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, state, and local 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 (505)-664-6947.