Pulsed Power Engineering Technologist 1 (Engineering Technologist 1)

What You Will Do

Pulsed Power Engineering Technologist 1 ($85,900 - $139,900)

The DARHT Engineering Operations and Physics Group (J-6) is seeking a Pulsed Power Engineering Technologist I to join the Pulsed Power Team! J-6 provides state-of-the-art accelerator, pulsed power, beam-target, and radiographic physics capabilities in support of the Laboratory's hydrodynamic test mission. Core responsibilities of the team include: (a) troubleshooting, maintaining, and upgrading of the Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) accelerator pulsed power systems, and (b) designing, modeling, developing, and implementing new pulsed power sources and systems relating to accelerator applications.

The successful applicant will be assigned to the Pulsed Power Team in the DARHT Engineering Operations and Physics Group (J-6). The successful applicant will work on pulsed power systems at DARHT and associated test stands. Roles and responsibilities include:
  • Performing electrical and mechanical maintenance of the pulsed power systems driving the DARHT accelerators
  • Maintaining, refurbishing, and upgrading DARHT linear induction cells
  • Performing electrical and mechanical assembly, installation, and maintenance of DARHT pulsed power test stands
  • Operating pulsed power test stands and verifying that equipment passes electrical and mechanical tests
  • Writing technical reports, documents, and presentations
  • Maintaining up to date documentation of procedures, processes, and equipment
  • Operating cranes and forklifts


What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Electrical Engineering Knowledge

  • Proven experience working with electrical circuits and high voltage components
  • Ability to read and understand electrical schematics
  • Proven history fabricating electrical equipment and components (e.g., soldering and wiring)

Laboratory Experience

  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience working on mechanical systems with hand and/or power tools
  • Working knowledge of vacuum systems
  • Operating power supplies, scopes, digitizers, and laboratory data acquisition systems

Communication Skills

  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills and demonstrated experience interacting with all levels of personnel and customers

Lifelong learner

  • Willing to acquire new skills and step out of your comfort zone
  • Fast learner

Education/Experience: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Technology, Science, Math or related degree from an accredited institution and 2 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.


Desired Qualifications:

High Energy Systems Experience and Knowledge

  • Demonstrated experience working with pulsed power, electrical energy storage, electrical switching circuits or other types of high-energy systems
  • Demonstrated experience working on pulsed power or high voltage systems
  • Proven safety knowledge with HV electrical circuits

Solid State Electronics Knowledge

  • Specific knowledge of MOSFETs, SCRs, and analog design

Formality of Operations

  • Demonstrated experience working in environments with a high level of operational formality

Electrical Engineering Knowledge

  • Knowledge of and experience in fundamentals of electrical engineering including circuit design, modeling, and circuit simulation tools such as SPICE

Accelerator Experience

  • Experience with linear induction accelerators

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.

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:

Along with your resume, please include a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet each of the minimum requirements and any of the desired qualifications.

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.

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 opt. 3.