Research Technician

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 Laboratory 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.

This position will be filled at either the Research Tech 4 or Research Tech 5 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

• Perform chemical processing, metal processing (furnace operations), materials science, material processing, leak testing, mechanical assembly, mechanical operations, vacuum equipment operation, special nuclear material operations, equipment troubleshooting and maintenance, or electronics tasks.
• 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 the 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.
• Maintain 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.
• Collaborate with other facility representatives as required to support the safety and reliability of equipment and 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.

In addition to the responsibilities described for Research Tech 4.

• 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.
• Recommend solutions to problems affecting project requirements.

Experience 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; data acquisition systems; vacuum systems; pressure systems; solid‑state electronic design and assembly; mechanical systems.
• 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.
• Test and design experience, such as reading drawings and schematics, using digital test equipment, data analysis, electromagnetic shielding, high‑speed data acquisition systems and software, ultrafast timing…