Technician Careers at
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Hands-on Skills.
National Security Mission.
Join Us
At Los Alamos National Laboratory, technicians are the hands-on experts who build, operate, maintain and protect the systems that safeguard the nation. If you have experience keeping production lines running, maintaining complex equipment or supporting industrial or laboratory operations, your skills can directly support high-consequence national security work.
If you’re technically capable, detail-oriented and motivated by important work, you can build a meaningful technician career at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Bring your toolbox, your troubleshooting mindset and your commitment to safety. We’ll provide the mission, the training and the opportunity to grow your career while helping protect the nation.
Build Your Technician Career
With a Leader in National Security
Join our talent community to stay updated on the latest job opportunities with us. You can also search our current technician jobs here.
The Work: Hands-on, Technical, Mission-Critical
As a Los Alamos National Laboratory technician, you won’t be watching from the sidelines — you’ll be on the tools and in the field every day. You may:
Operate
Operate gloveboxes, vacuum and pressure systems, CNC machine tools, RF control systems, radiological survey instruments, analytical laboratory equipment and secure computing platforms.
Perform
Perform inspections, experiments, sampling, fabrication, testing and maintenance while following detailed operating procedures, drawings and specifications.
Process
Manufacture or recover critical components in nuclear and high-hazard environments and move, characterize or process nuclear and hazardous materials under strict controls.
Diagnose
Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic and control systems and maintain inspection reports, maintenance logs, material tracking systems and quality documentation.
Operate
Operate gloveboxes, vacuum and pressure systems, CNC machine tools, RF control systems, radiological survey instruments, analytical laboratory equipment and secure computing platforms.
Perform
Perform inspections, experiments, sampling, fabrication, testing and maintenance while following detailed operating procedures, drawings and specifications.
Process
Manufacture or recover critical components in nuclear and high-hazard environments and move, characterize or process nuclear and hazardous materials under strict controls.
Diagnose
Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic and control systems and maintain inspection reports, maintenance logs, material tracking systems and quality documentation.
Precision matters. Safety matters. Documentation matters. Your work directly supports national defense and global security.
Who Thrives Here
We hire technicians from a wide range of backgrounds, including:
Military technical specialties (mechanical, electrical, avionics, nuclear, ordinance and IT).
Skilled trades and apprenticeships (industrial maintenance, millwrights, electricians, welders and HVAC).
Manufacturing and industrial operations, refinery and plant maintenance, automotive and diesel repair.
Community college and technical programs and field service roles.
Depending on the role, you may qualify with a high school diploma, technical certificate or associate degree, plus hands-on experience. What matters most is your hands-on capability, attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and comfort working in regulated environments.
Technician Career Paths
Technicians at Los Alamos National Laboratory work across multiple mission areas, allowing you to align your hands-on background with the work you enjoy.
Research Technicians
Support materials science experiments, radiological analysis, nuclear materials processing and laboratory instrumentation for cutting-edge science and engineering programs.
Nuclear and Hazardous Materials Operations
Handle, process, track and manage nuclear and hazardous materials in secure facilities using gloveboxes, remote handling tools and detailed operating procedures.
Manufacturing and Fabrication
Machine, weld, fabricate, assemble and maintain precision components and equipment that support weapons production, space missions and other national security programs.
Engineered Systems
Install, maintain and troubleshoot RF systems, cryogenic and vacuum systems, mechanical hardware, electrical panels and control systems that keep complex facilities running.
Environment, Safety and Health
Conduct radiation surveys, industrial hygiene sampling and environmental monitoring to help ensure safe, compliant operations across the laboratory.
Career Growth and Advancement
Technician roles at Los Alamos National Laboratory offer a clear path as you build experience. As you grow, you can:
Take on more complex technical assignments and work more independently.
Lead troubleshooting efforts, train and mentor junior technicians and become a subject-matter expert in your systems or process areas.
Move into lead or specialized technician roles and broaden into new mission areas.
Receive continued access to training, certifications and tuition assistance so you can keep learning while you work.
The Skills You’ll Use Every Day
If you’ve done work like this, you speak our language.
Maintenance and Repair
Preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance; equipment inspections; root-cause analysis; breakdown troubleshooting; equipment rebuilds; calibration; lubrication; laser and manual alignment.
Hand and Power Tools
Wrenches, sockets, torque tools, precision measuring tools (calipers, micrometers and dial indicators), power drills and impacts, grinders, saws, drill presses and hydraulic tools.
Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems
Pneumatic controls, air compressors, solenoid valves, air cylinders, hydraulic pumps, lines and fittings, fluid power systems, leak detection and pressure regulation.
Electrical and Controls
Electrical troubleshooting; reading schematics and wiring diagrams; multimeter use; voltage testing; control panels; motor controls; VFDs; PLC troubleshooting; relay logic; circuit breakers; transformers; sensors; three-phase power systems; and lockout/tagout (LOTO).
Mechanical Systems
Gearboxes, AC/DC motors, conveyor and drive systems, pumps, compressors, mechanical assemblies, shaft alignment, couplings, bearings, valves and actuators.
Lifting and Rigging
Forklift operation, overhead cranes, hoists, rigging techniques, load calculations, slings and shackles and OSHA safety compliance.
Welding and Fabrication
MIG, TIG and stick welding; plasma and oxyfuel cutting; metal fabrication; blueprint reading; grinding and finishing.
HVAC and Facilities
HVAC and refrigeration systems, chillers, boilers, cooling towers, ductwork, thermostats and controls, preventive facility maintenance and building automation systems.
Automotive and Diesel
Engine diagnostics, brake and suspension systems, electrical diagnostics, diesel engines and transmission and fuel systems.
Industrial Safety and Documentation
Industrial safety standards, OSHA compliance, confined-space entry, hazardous material handling, CMMS use, technical documentation and blueprint reading.
Troubleshooting Mindset
Electrical fault isolation, mechanical failure analysis, process troubleshooting, control system diagnostics, preventive root-cause documentation and continuous improvement.
Work in Beautiful Northern New Mexico
Most technician roles are onsite in Los Alamos, New Mexico, a high-desert community about 35 miles from Santa Fe. Many mission areas operate 24/7 or on multishift schedules, with eligible roles offering shift differential pay, including dedicated night-shift opportunities.
We offer competitive pay, comprehensive health benefits, strong retirement plan, paid time off and holidays and relocation assistance for qualified candidates, all within a strong safety and teamwork culture.
