Electronics Technologist– NIF Diagnostics; MRE

Mid-Senior Level | Full-time

Engineering | Livermore, CA | 04/27/2026

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

We are seeking an early to mid-career Electronics Technician to build, integrate, test, and sustain diagnostic hardware used to capture data during experiments at the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate. You will support the Material and Radiation Effects (MRE) Electrical Engineering team within NIF Target Diagnostics Engineering and Science (TDES) in a multidisciplinary, highly collaborative environment with a strong emphasis on fiber optic handling and precision assembly.

This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.

• Provide general technical support to scientists, engineers, and senior technical personnel performing activities related to NIF diagnostic builds, including precision assembly, data capture, analysis, and characterization.
• Fabricate and verify electrical cables and harnesses used for precision timing and data transport, applying IPC workmanship practices, electrostatic discharge controls, and configuration control.
• Assemble, route, label, terminate, inspect, clean, and test single-mode fiber optic links supporting diagnostic systems.
• Identify and acquire diagnostic data, perform analysis and evaluation, document results, and communicate with diagnostic Subject Matter Experts to ensure compliance with project goals.
• Ensure compliance with Environmental, Health and Safety (ES&H) policies and procedures while working with radiological, laser, and electrical hazards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Lead diagnostic system builds and fiber runs, including developing fiber and coaxial loss budgets, test plans, and acceptance criteria.
• Interpret complex Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) and Optical Backscatter Reflectometer (O ) traces to isolate faults, verify fiber routing, and recommend effective corrective actions.
• Author, review, and modify electrical documentation, propose improvements to assembly methods, and mentor junior personnel in industry best practices.
• Perform advanced verification using Vector Network Analyzers (VNA), Spectrum Analyzers, and Time Domain Reflectometers (TDR) to ensure precision timing and impedance control.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Associate degree in electronics, electro‑optics, photonics, or related technical field, or equivalent military or industry training and experience or combination of education and experience.
• Intermediate experience fabricating and verifying cables and harnesses, including coax assemblies for 50 ohm systems; ability to perform continuity, polarity, and basic hi‑pot tests as directed.
• Intermediate technical skills and knowledge of engineering principles to solve problems using established guidelines, techniques, and procedures.
• Intermediate experience assembling, operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting scientific and laboratory equipment for diagnostic, fiber optic, optical, data acquisition, or experimental systems.
• Effective written and verbal communication, and presentation skills sufficient to develop and report data, and to work successfully with multidisciplinary teams in a highly collaborative environment.
• Ability to qualify as a NIF Radiological Worker, use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and work safely around lasers, high voltage, and interlock‑controlled equipment in accordance with established controls and procedures.
• Ability to work in confined or restricted spaces, climb stairs, and stand or walk for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift and move equipment up to 50 lbs with assistance, as needed.

• Advanced experience with fiber optic handling and testing, including connector inspection and cleaning, bend‑radius and strain relief management, and insertion loss/return loss measurements or advanced experience fabricating and verifying cables and harnesses,…