R&D Laboratory Support Technologist - Advanced Thin Films & Processing, Onsite

About Sandia

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

* These benefits vary by job classification.

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..gov

Do you enjoy hands-on operation of thin film deposition systems and related materials characterization equipment? If so, you would be perfect to join our team! Our group develops custom thin films, coatings, and engineered surfaces to support a variety of applications. If selected for the role, you will become an integral part of the team that sustains and improves various technologies vital to national security needs.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Support staff in safely operating and maintaining thin film deposition systems in supporting research, prototyping, and production activities
• Execute complex deposition designs that include can thick coatings
• Investigate produced thin films and engineered surfaces using different materials characterization techniques,
• Perform calibration and alignment checks and adjust or modifications, as needed,
• Prepare substrates, characterize samples utilizing a variety of techniques (optical, electrical, surface, roughness, stress, etc.), and troubleshooting vacuum systems
• Oversee equipment contracts and vendor support personnel activities.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected candidate must be able to work onsite.

$87,400 - $144,400

* Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering Technology, Physics, Chemistry, or related field
• At least 3 years of experience working in laboratory and/or maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing vacuum systems (cryo, turbo, and/or mechanical)
• Experience depositing thin films using at least one vapor deposition method
• Experience with CW and pulsed lasers including laser optics, imaging devices, and diagnostics,
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance

• Knowledge of chemical vapor deposition
• Knowledge of electronics and control systems
• Experience developing safety documentation
• Knowledge of pressure systems and their documentation
• Experience in preventative maintenance (PM) and setting up PM Schedules
• Experience with integrating water cooling systems
• Creative thinking and technical problem-solving skills
• Good interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills

The Thin Films Department (Org. 1875) specializes in two areas: (1) developing custom thin films and coatings for specialty applications and (2) advanced surface engineering.

The thin films team develops novel thin films and coatings for use in microelectronic, optic, mechanical and thermal applications. Our group specializes in the development and characterization of sputtered, evaporated, chemical vapor deposited, and atomic layer deposited thin films. Our fundamental studies probe the key film properties to develop an understanding of how deposition processes influence film structure, phase, and performance.

Example films include tribological, optoelectronic,…