Research Technologist

What You Will Do

The Engineered Materials Group (MST-7) is seeking outstanding candidates to perform deposition and analysis of Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), and/or Chemical Solution deposition (CSD) coatings. The candidate is expected to work independently and lead deposition/analysis method development. Regular dissemination of results in the form of well‑kept laboratory notebooks, internal reports, peer‑reviewed research papers, and conference presentations will be essential for success.

The Surface & Interface Engineering Team R&D Technologist will support MST-7 and other organizations across LANL. MST-7’s mission is to use our materials science expertise to address national security needs. This requires maintaining excellence in fundamental materials science, innovative materials development, and synthesis of unique thin films and coatings coupled with cutting‑edge materials fabrication processes, advanced characterization techniques and world‑class ultra‑precision design and machining.

We apply a multi‑disciplinary approach to push the state‑of‑the‑art in engineered materials to be responsive to emergent national security requirements, trusted stakeholders, and production agency needs.

• Assure safety and security compliance, maintain required safety and security training, and make safety and security an integral part of every task.
• Contribute to the development of techniques and the fulfillment of research goals; resolve problems of moderately complex scope requiring review of a variety of factors.
• Develop new principles and concepts.
• Work independently while collaborating under direction and guidance toward predetermined goals and objectives.
• Have work checked through consultation and agreement with others, which may involve formal review by a senior team member.
• Contribute to the development of specifications for project implementation and verify that the end product meets expectations and requirements.
• Prepare research documentation and may provide peer review of the documentation of other team members.
• Supply ideas and/or input to proposals.
• Contribute to or co‑author scientific publications.
• Act as lead and review activities of other employees on specific tasks contributing to the larger project.
• Make contributions of sufficient value and scope to impact project goals; understand that incorrect technical decisions can cause significant delays.
• Adhere to all Laboratory and industry regulatory guidance and governance specific to the work area.
• Foster a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment free from discrimination and harassment.

• Experience, certification, and/or formal education with vacuum/coating system maintenance and operation for coating and/or analysis operations.
• Knowledge of scientific principles, experimental processes, mathematical formulas, computations, and data gathering methods; comfortable developing PVD, CVD, and/or CSD procedures and executing characterization of coating/surface qualities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of standard principles, concepts, and techniques in relevant technical specialties.
• Some knowledge of industry, regulatory, DOE/NNSA complex codes, standards, and criteria pertinent to the area of research.
• Moderate level of supervising some portion of research projects in a safe and effective manner.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance.

Position requires a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution and 2 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

• Experience with maintenance and operation of vacuum/coating systems (e‑beam, magnetron sputter, ion beam assisted deposition, plasma‑enhanced CVD, high‑vacuum furnace).
• Experience in wet‑chemistry preparation of chemical solutions for coating by dipping, spraying, or spin coating and operation of CSD coating systems.
• Experience with maintenance and operation of surface analysis instrumentation (SEM, TEM, FIB, AFM, adhesion testing, contact angle goniometry, optical/stylus profilometry).
• Experience with…