R&D Design and Fabrication Machinist; Machinist

What You Will Do

The High Explosives Science and Technology (Q-5) Group is seeking a skilled machinist to provide precision machining, fabrication, and assembly support for research and development components. You will use your expertise to manufacture parts and assemblies that support critical experimental work, translating designs and specifications into high-quality machined components.

High Explosives Science & Technology (Q-5) Group serves the Laboratory and nation by providing the knowledge base in high explosives (HE) testing for the Nuclear Weapons Program and other national security areas. The group specializes in a broad array of energetic materials science—including development, synthesis, formulation, testing of novel explosives, pilot plant production, advanced manufacturing, analytical chemistry, detonation performance testing, and special security projects.

(Salary: $80,400 - $127,900)

• Operate manual CNC machining equipment to produce precision components.
• Work independently and collaboratively with scientists, engineers, and technical staff.
• Participate in planning prototype fabrication.
• Execute machining and assembly work.
• Fabricate fixtures, tooling, and assemblies as needed.

You will provide a responsive machining service, manufacturing complex parts from a variety of materials with exacting tolerances based on engineering drawings, sketches, and verbal instructions. The project portfolios are diverse; you must communicate effectively with scientists, engineers, technologists, and technicians in Q‑5. On-the-job training will be provided by an experienced Journeyman Machinist and you will have access to a fully equipped satellite machine shop at TA‑9.

(Salary: $87,800 - $143,000)

In addition to the responsibilities of Machinist 4, you will develop new machining procedures and processes, provide technical recommendations to overcome fabrication challenges, and serve as a subject‑matter expert for machining projects.

• Proven experience designing and manufacturing parts, fixtures, and complex assemblies.
• Advanced proficiency in operating and maintaining manual and CNC machining equipment.
• Comprehensive understanding of machining processes, cutting tools, and operations to achieve various tolerances.
• Skilled in precision measurement techniques and inspection methods.
• Skilled experience with CAD/CAM software for programming and design visualization.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to convey technical concepts clearly.
• Proficient in reading, interpreting, and creating engineering drawings and schematics.

Qualification at the higher level requires:

• Education:
  
  Associate’s Degree (AAS) in Machining Technologies or equivalent precision metalworking program with 10 years of experience; or 12 years prototype experience; or Journeyperson qualification program with 10 years of experience.
• Alternatively, 8 years prototype experience for the lower level; or 6 years prototype experience with a journeyperson program; or 6 years experience with an AAS in machining technologies.

• Journeyman Machinist certification.
• High explosives handler qualification (or ability to obtain).
• Qualified to transport high explosives (or ability to obtain).
• Experience machining reactive/pyrophoric materials such as magnesium, titanium, etc.

The work location is onsite in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Regular appointment employees must serve a period of continuous service in their current position to be eligible for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. The position commitment for this role is 1 year.

• Interested applicants must apply online and upload a cover letter and resume. The cover letter must address the candidate’s experience and how it applies to the opening.
• Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), the Islamic…