Research Tec 2

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 world.

The Actinide Materials Processing and Power Division (AMPP) consists of four groups and the division office. All groups work in a team environment within LANL's nuclear facility to process materials and manufacture products in support of Nuclear Deterrence

AMPP-5 is the Power Supply Production group. We work for space and defense programs to process Pu-238 to make heat sources for instruments or generators that need long lasting and reliable power. Our group consists of three teams: the aqueous team which purifies fuel and processes waste for disposition, the fuel fabrication team which processes and manipulates powder fuels, and the welding team which encapsulates fuel into various containment vessels. Each team plays a vital role in the organization's overarching mission to support space exploration and national defense through Pu-238 science.

This position is for a hands-on Research Technician role on the Fuel Fabrication team which is specifically tasked with the intricate process of shaping and refining materials into their final form. The majority of daily production tasking in AMPP is "hands-on" glove box work. Our team uses high-temperature furnaces for the fabrication process and hydraulic presses for shaping materials under extreme pressure. This enables the creation of heat sources that meet stringent quality and performance standards, ensuring they can withstand the demands of applications requiring long-lasting power.

As a Research Tec 2, your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Job Duties
  • Assures safety and security compliance, maintains required safety and security training, and makes safety and security an integral part of every task.
  • Working with radioactive and hazardous materials
  • Conducts technical work in the laboratory space or work area, as instructed by supervisor.
  • Records procedures, equipment, parameters used in technical work; captures findings and data.
  • Analyzes routine findings and data, develops preliminary interpretation of results, summarizes outcomes, and plan next stages of routine technical work. Works primarily with supervisor in the conduct of the technical work.
  • Performs work at a semi-skilled technician level. Assignments are characterized by instructions for routine tasks, and more specific and detailed instructions for semi-routine or non-routine tasks, within established priorities, procedures, processes, requirements or specifications. Work is reviewed for soundness of judgment, overall adequacy and accuracy. Work is performed under limited supervision.
  • Fosters a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

Job Knowledge
  • Possesses demonstrated experience in emerging technical specialty.
  • Works to technical objectives of assignments.
  • Works in a team environment and exhibits collaborative behavior.
  • Knowledge and implementation of required safety, security, and quality assurance practices for the work assignment, including calibration concepts and protocols as appropriate.
  • Knows required safety and security practices for the work assignment.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
  • Experience using a variety of typical hand tools.
  • Experience in one or more of the following areas: metal processing (furnace operations), mechanical assembly, leak testing, equipment troubleshooting or equipment maintenance.
  • Experience using/following detailed instructions, guidelines, policies and/or operating procedures.
  • Experience working in a team environment and exhibiting collaborative behavior.
  • Knowledge and experience with safety, security, and/or quality assurance practices.

Education/Experience: Position requires a High School diploma and a minimum of 3 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to occupation.

DOE Order 426.2: Requires a high school diploma.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Formal training in equipment trouble shooting.
  • Experience working with radioactive and other hazardous materials.
  • Knowledge and understanding of in-process inspection techniques and technologies.
  • Knowledge of, or hands on experience with, mechanical processes, furnaces, pneumatic or hydraulic systems
  • Experience working with nuclear materials handling/movement on tracking computer systems.
  • Active HRP certification.
  • Active DOE Q clearance

Location: This position will be located in Los Alamos, NM.

Position Commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 2 years.

Note to Applicants:
  • For full consideration submit a comprehensive resume reflective of your relevant experience to the job requirements and desired skills stated above.
  • Position may require 24/7 coverage and therefore may require working a shift schedule.
  • Evaluation of applications will commence immediately.
  • Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network

§ Dental and vision insurance

§ Free basic life and disability insurance

§ Paid childbirth and parental leave

§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)

§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)

§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs

§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

HRP: This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, §712.11. These requirements include on going drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request a disability accommodation, email applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505) 664-6947, opt. 3.