Firing Site Technician (Research Technician 3/4) | Los Alamos, NM | Los Alamos National Laboratory

Firing Site Technician (Research Technician 3/4)

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Research Technician 3/Research Technician 4 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.

Step into a hands-on role at the forefront of high-impact national security science. The Focused Experiments Group (M-3), part of the Dynamic Experiments Division (M) is seeking a skilled Research Technician to join our team. In this role, you will contribute to fielding, diagnostics, and site support of all aspects of firing explosives experiments. M-3 conducts research involving the initiation of energetic materials for the weapons program and related national security efforts.

Research Technician 3 $66,100-$103,600
The Research Technician 3 will, under the direction of the Firing Leader/Team Leader:
  • Work to maintain firing sites and experimental facilities, e.g orderliness, cleanliness, inventory, diagnostic equipment, supply procurement, coordination of craft work, site and waste clean-up, waste disposition.
  • Build and setup shot and diagnostic stands, setup of diagnostics and recording equipment (which may include some or all the following: oscilloscopes, cameras, control circuits, etc.), build/setup/install mitigation for explosives tests.
  • Assist in preparation and execution of explosives tests safely and securely.
  • Participate in preparation of hazard analyses, safety documents and work procedures.
  • Work with hazardous materials and equipment to include some or all the following: explosives, class 4 lasers, cryogenics, chemicals, pressurized systems, energized electrical equipment, pulsed-power systems, hand operated power tools and radioactive materials.
  • Have the capabilities to interact with multiple disciplines to ensure the safety of individuals in an explosives area.
  • Have ability to multi-task and must be flexible to support multiple firing sites as needed, including occasional after-hours work.


Research Technician 4 $72,800-$115,400
In addition to the duties outlined above, the Research Technician 4 is expected to:
  • Take leadership in maintaining firing sites and experimental facilities, e.g. orderliness, cleanliness, inventory, diagnostic equipment, supply procurement, coordination of craft work, site and waste clean-up, waste management.
  • Collaborate with subject matter experts to prepare, establish, and improve safe and integrated work processes for hazard analyses, safety documents and work procedures which would include any or all the following: work steps, hazards, controls, pre and post job reviews, and lessons learned.
  • Work independently to operate equipment as needed for snow removal, waste disposition, equipment transport, site setup/cleanup.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
  • Demonstrated knowledge and hands-on experience in a technical specialty, with recognized competency in at least one relevant area(e.g., explosives safety, electrical safety, industrial safety), and working safely and securely in a fast-paced team environment.
  • Familiarity with trouble shooting and repair of equipment, equipment assembly/disassembly, carpentry, and use of basic hand and power tools.
  • Demonstrated experience working from engineering drawings or electrical diagrams.
  • Experience maintaining infrastructure (inventory, supply procurement, orderliness).
  • Ability to follow established policies, procedures and work instructions with accuracy and reliability.
  • Intermediate computer skills with common applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel.

Additional Requirements for Research Technician 4:
  • Leadership and demonstrated proficiency with performing technical/operational work in hazardous environments e.g. high explosives areas.
  • Ability to execute technical assignments aligned with defined objectives and requirements.
  • Ability to follow procedures and work instruction, and to complete assigned tasks with limited direct supervision.
  • Ability to lead or mentor others in safe work practices within high-risk environments.

Education/Experience at Research Technician 3 level: Position requires an Associate's Degree and 3 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at Research Technician 4 level: Position requires an Associate's Degree and 5 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience with explosives firing operations (e.g. high explosives), building explosive assemblies, and/or performing intentional firing of tests.
  • Experience working in moderate to high hazard industrial or research environments.
  • Experience in fabrication techniques and machinery (lathes, mills, saws, etc.).
  • Experience in the operation of forklifts, bobcats, heavy equipment.
  • CDL or the ability to obtain a CDL.
  • Active DOE or DoD Security Clearance.


Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Color discrimination, Peripheral vision, Depth perception, Binocular vision, Reading vision, Distance vision, Ability to speak, Ability to discriminate speech, Ability to hear high-pitched sounds, Ability to smell, Ability to hear in a normal range (500 to 3000 htz), Sittng, Standing, Walking, Climbing stairs, Climbing Ladders, Bending, Stooping, Crouching, Kneeling, Twisting the trunk or back, Reaching overhead, Reaching horizontally, Reaching down, Applying torque with hands or arms, Gripping with the hands, Pressing with hands or arms, Pushing with hands or arms, Pulling with hands or arms, Typing or keyboarding, Fine motor control, Use of both hands, Use of both arms, Use of both legs, Use of both feet, Carrying 30+ pounds

Work Environment:
Outdoors, In confined space, At heights, In a cold environment, Working alone, Working overtime or irregular schedule, In a hot environment 90 - 100 F, Operation of specialized heavy equipment, In a widely ranging ambient temperatures, In a wet or humid environment, Domestic travel, Operation of motor vehicles, Work in a noisy environment, Work under unusual lighting conditions, Work near electrical power supplies, Work near sources of ionizing radiation, Work near sources of non-ionizing radiation, Work with weapons or explosives, Work with vibrating equipment/machinery, Work near machinery with moving parts, Toxic chemicals, Irritant chemicals, Dusts or powders, Fumes, Carcinogens, Headgear or head protection, Face shield or facial protection, Mask or respirator, Level B HAZMAT suit/anti-C, Hearing protection, Gloves or hand protection, Safety shoes or protective footgear.

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management. The position is physically located in the High Explosives Firing Sites at Area 1 (TA-15, 36).

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order 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 1 year.

Note to Applicants:
For full consideration, please submit a detailed cover letter addressing the required and desired qualifications listed above.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (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.

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 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 such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.