Electronics Technologist –Power Conditioning System Operations and Maintenance

Reference #: REF
8967C
Job Code: 531.2 Technologist-Electronics
Organization: Engineering
Position Type: Career Indefinite
Security Clearance: Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)
Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
Medical Exam: Not applicable

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is seeking talented and self‑motivated Electronics Technologists in the Plasma‑Electrode Pockels Cell (PEPC) and Power Conditioning System (PCS) team. The NIF laser is the world’s most powerful laser system, capable of producing over 2 MJ of optical energy. You will operate the Power Conditioning System (PCS) and the Plasma‑Electrode Pockels Cell (PEPC) systems through the high‑level computer control system following detailed procedures.

The PCS employs one hundred ninety‑two high voltage (24 KV), high‑energy (1.7 MJ per module) capacitor bank modules used to power the large flash lamps in the NIF solid‑state laser amplifiers. The PEPC system employs high voltage electronics and sophisticated controls hardware and software to implement an optical switch topology for the 192 beams of the NIF main laser. These systems include high voltage power supplies, pulsed power hardware and circuits, analog, and digital controls hardware and software, embedded computers and diagnostics.

The successful candidate will be expected to operate both systems remotely using Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) and perform site maintenance including electrical distribution, high voltage
-equipment, digital circuits analog circuits, vacuum controls, compressed air controls and/or major system configurations across multiple engineering disciplines. Primary interactions will be with the lead operators, shot directors, system managers and electrical engineering support personnel.

NIF is a 24/7 operational facility, with the operators typically working an alternating three and four‑day 12hr shift, with the last two hours of each shift being overtime. The dayshift work hours are from 06:30-19:30 with the night shift hours from 18:30-07:30. Dayshifts work Wednesday‑Tuesday and every other Wednesday, or Thursday to Saturday and every other Wednesday. Night shifts work either Sunday to Tuesday and every other Saturday night or Wednesday to Friday and every other Saturday night.

You will be required to pass various on‑site training modules to pursue work assignments. Some work will occur in radiological environments, and training will be provided prior to having access to those areas. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.

This position requires full‑time on‑site presence due to the nature of the work.

In this role, you will

• Operate the Power Conditioning System (PCS) and Plasma‑Electrode Pockels Cell (PEPC) through computer‑based controls to support the National Ignition Facility laser operations.
• Safely troubleshoot, repair, upgrade, and maintain moderately complex high‑voltage, control, vacuum,…