Engineering Technician V - Computer Control Systems Operator (NWS 00873

Engineering Technician V – Computer Control Systems Operator

North Wind Services is actively seeking individuals who can contribute to national security within the science, technology, and engineering fields as part of our supplemental labor team at vital federal research and development installations supporting the Department of Energy.

This position supports the National Ignition Facility (NIF) which is the world's largest and most energetic laser facility ever built. NIF is also the most precise and reproducible laser as well as the largest optical instrument. The giant laser has nearly 40,000 optics, which precisely guide, reflect, amplify, and focus 192 laser beams onto a fusion target about the size of a pencil eraser.

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is seeking a talented and self-motivated Engineering Technician to serve as the Computer Control Systems Operator responsible for the operational support of control systems software, databases, networks, and hardware required to perform successful laser shots at the National Ignition Facility (NIF).

The NIF system is a large, sophisticated design that requires the candidate to have technical skills, attention to detail and the ability to work in a team environment. The successful candidate must have demonstrated exceptional ability providing installation, operation, and/or commissioning of complex software supporting large computer-based control systems. The Engineering Technician will work in the NIF Control Room and have responsibilities for starting and stopping complex and integrated software processes, executing checklists and procedures, monitoring the health of associated subsystems and additional software supporting the setup and analysis experiments, monitoring network and server health, performing basic hardware troubleshooting, documenting problems/changes, and gathering data for developers to resolve software problems.

The successful candidate will interact with all subsystem operators, engineers, engineering associates, and other technologists. This position interacts with all levels of management both within and outside the NIF & Photon Sciences Directorate and under limited supervision reports to the NIF & PS Control Systems Software Standards and Quality Manager.

Due to the vast and varying types of experiments, NIF is a 24/7 operational facility. This position requires operators to work on a 3/12-4/12 shift schedule to support operations, with the last two hours of each shift being overtime. The day shift work hours are from 06:30-19:30 and the owl shift hours are from 18:30-07:30. Day shifts work either Sunday-Tuesday and every other Wednesday or Thursday to Saturday and every other Wednesday.

Owl shifts work either Sunday to Tuesday and every other Saturday or Wednesday to Friday and every other Saturday night. The successful candidate will be required to pass various on-site training modules to pursue work assignments. The successful candidate will be required to obtain a Q-Level Security Clearance through the Department of Energy.

Essential duties include acquiring detailed understanding of the structure, operation and deployment plans of the ICCS. Shot Data System (SDS) suite of software applications supporting the setup and analysis of laser experiments. Provide computer-based support for thick-client and web-client software Java applications. Monitor processes during operations, commissioning, and new software release testing. Troubleshoot including restarting of servers and database connections. Troubleshoot and repair routine hardware failures and update device configuration information as needed.

Analyze software problems and gather data for feedback to developers. Work directly with engineers and hardware technicians to troubleshoot, commission, and qualify equipment and devices. Support formal testing and commissioning activities, including updating database set-points for various hardware devices. Provide feedback, document issues, and communicate the status of the system.

Essential skills, knowledge, and abilities include an AS degree in Computer Science/Engineering/Technology or 4+ years of equivalent combination of education and experience related to the Essential Skills, Knowledge and Abilities below. Use of computer-based software applications such as web-based form applications utilizing a Java Thick Client. Experience with Oracle SQL, Solar Winds, SPLUNK, Linux/Unix and command-line environments. Experience with electronic and computer-based instrumentation and control systems, interlock systems, and mechanical hardware.

Knowledge of supervisory control systems and equipment, and computer communications networking equipment. IT experience including an understanding of IP networks, switches and desktop support. Formal configuration control practices. Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills including conditional formatting and formula use.

Desired skills, knowledge, and abilities include a BS degree in Computer…