Vacuum Technology and Data Acquisition Research Technologist

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at the Research Technologist 2 level.

Sigma-1 is seeking qualified applicants for a research technologist. The Sigma Complex is a unique prototyping and fabrication facility that specializes in providing material, components, and manufacturing science to the Los Alamos experimental programs. Customers of Sigma's experimental mission range from the US nuclear weapons program, DOD, academia, intelligence agencies, and many others. As part of this mission, Sigma Division works with a broad range of materials including stainless steel, aluminum, ceramics, uranium, and beryllium.

You will work in a highly collaborative team environment, interfacing routinely with other Sigma Division staff as well as deployed personnel (Industrial Hygiene, Health Physics, Shipping, Facility Operations) to complete program objectives. You will work with several different pressure/vacuum systems, including using existing systems to conduct experiments and designing new systems to meet specific experimental objectives. Daily operations will require understanding and application of vacuum technology, mechanical design and construction, experimental control, data acquisition, analytical techniques, and instrumentation.

You will communicate results through oral and written reports to a diverse group of scientists, engineers, technicians, and technologists. Organization skills and working in a team-based environment are required to achieve these goals.

• Design, construction, testing, and operation of vacuum/pressure systems and equipment.
• Installation, design, testing, and operation of computer-based experimental control and data acquisition systems/equipment (particularly Lab View or PLC-based systems).
• Preparation of engineering drawings to support design and assembly of fixtures and equipment.
• Working with radioactive materials and other hazardous materials, chemicals, and solvents in a rigorous safety environment.

You will apply the scientific method to address technical problems, operate and troubleshoot commercial and “home‑built” equipment, and analyze data from experiments in the context of the underlying scientific principles or models. You will interface directly with staff scientists in carrying out collaborative work and communication of results, both verbally and in writing.

• Experience in design, construction, testing, and operation of vacuum/pressure systems and equipment.
• Experience with software such as computer aided design (CAD), Labview, Matlab, and Origin.
• Experience with electrical systems/electronics.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to learn, operate, and maintain analytical instrumentation.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new techniques independently while working under the guidance of experienced personnel.
• Written and oral communication skills, including 2-3 years experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a Q‑clearance.

Position requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 5 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience (3-5 years) in design, construction, testing, and operation of vacuum/pressure systems and equipment.
• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience (3-5 years) in designing and programming data acquisition routines (e.g. in Lab View, Click PLC, etc.).
• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience (3-5 years) with constructing and operating data acquisition systems and data analysis.
• Ability to develop and modify equipment design, experimental methods, and procedures to achieve prescribed experiment objectives.
• Experience working in glove boxes.

Ability to apply torque with hands or arms, good hand‑eye coordination and fine motor control, ability to lift 25 pounds to a height of 3‑4 feet and load into an enclosed space, with or without reasonable accommodation.

The work location for this position is onsite and…