Research Technician

Position: Research Technician 4/5
** What You Will Do*
* Join the best and brightest minds in the world at one of the most innovative and creative multidisciplinary research institutions engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. The work we do at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) matters to our country and the world.

You will work in a team environment within LANL's nuclear facility to manufacture product, support material movement and support glove box operations. The majority of daily work is "hands-on" glove box work in support of plutonium processing. Processes at Los Alamos National Lab are performed using detailed operating procedures and work requires extensive knowledge and expertise following Conduct of Operations, nuclear criticality safety, material control and accountability, radiological safety and environmental compliance requirements.

You will work at the advanced level and have fundamental technical skills and knowledge and under general direction with fundamental understanding of the general and technical aspects of the job. You may work under general supervision in areas involving high consequences for safety. You will follow Standard Operating Procedures and/or Work Instructions to produce a quality product.  This position requires knowledge of Conduct of Operations, nuclear criticality safety, radiological safety, material control and accountability and environmental compliance requirements.

** Research Technician 4 (72,)*
* ** Research Technician 5 (87,)*
* ** Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:*
* + Performing manufacturing operations in one or more of the following areas: metal processing (furnace operations), metal recovery (aqueous operations), vacuum equipment operation, mechanical assembly, leak testing, equipment troubleshooting and equipment maintenance

+ Adhere to all Laboratory and industry regulatory guidance and governance specific to installation, repair, and maintenance.

+ Write and maintain records, write concise progress reports and interact frequently with support organizations.

+ Safely handle radioactive materials and chemicals in glove boxes; perform glove box bag outs and glove changes in a respirator; follow Detailed Operating Procedures and follow formality of operations for conducting work in a Nuclear Facility; protect nuclear materials and classified information in a secure environment; perform transactions on the LANMAS computer system and conduct activities in accordance with environmental regulations.

+ Safety and security are a primary responsibility for all Laboratory employees. The successful candidate will maintain their required safety and security training, ensure compliance with safety and security requirements, and make safety and security an integral part of every task.

+ Provide general process and operational support, including nuclear criticality safety, material control and accountability, glovebox maintenance, radiological protection and waste minimization and management.

+ Collaborating with other facility representatives as required to support the safety/reliability of equipment/systems

+ Prepare samples and reagents for analysis and execute experiments.

+ Conduct waste packaging, labeling, documentation, staging and shipment in accordance with environmental regulations and Laboratory policies and procedures.

+ Be available to work in the Plutonium Facility.

+ Provide training and oversight for new technicians.

+ Operate, maintain, and oversee repairs to equipment.

** Additional responsibilities at the higher level:*
* + Possesses demonstrated knowledge and advanced skills in technical specialty and one or more relevant competencies. Often contributes to the development of new procedures and protocols.

+ Work on technical objectives of assignments.

+ Work successfully in a team environment and exhibit collaborative behavior.

+ Recommend solutions to problems affecting project requirements.

+ Knowledge and implementation of required safety, security, and quality assurance practices for the work assignment, including calibration concepts and protocols as appropriate.

** In addition, all research technicians Level 5 have advanced skills in one or more of the following:*
* + Technical work, such as chemical synthesis; chemical, biological, radiological materials handling; analytical procedures and methodology; materials characterization or testing; optical and laser systems; data acquisition systems; cryogenics; vacuum systems; pressure systems; fiber optics; electronic imaging; solid-state electronic design and assembly; mechanical systems; etc.

+ Specialized training and knowledge for working in hazardous environments such as those involving high explosives, radiological or fissile materials, accelerators, lasers, pulse power or high energy systems, etc.

+ Test and design, such as reading drawings and schematics, using digital test equipment, data analysis, electromagnetic shielding, high-speed data acquisition systems and software, ultrafast…