Research Technician 5 | Los Alamos, NM | Los Alamos National Laboratory

Research Technician 5

What You Will Do

Sigma-1 is seeking several research technicians to join the team to assist with research projects related to materials manufacturing. Based on candidate's qualifications and interests, a technician will join one of 5 teams including Thermomechanical Processing Science, Ceramic Processing Sciences, Foundry and Solidification Science, Material Assessment and Compatibility, and Machining and Inspection. A brief overview of each team is outlined below:

Thermomechanical Processing Science: Blacksmith to laser smith, we are a middle ground of metals manufacturing science. We focus on changing the shape and/or properties of metal parts. We work with stakeholders to design solutions to their challenges and work outside the box to streamline manufacturing.

Ceramics Processing Sciences: The Ceramics Processing Sciences team specializes in materials synthesis and processing for metal and ceramic powders. Powder processing can form high melting point materials that cannot be formed in any other way such as tungsten, molybdenum, and zirconium, as well as oxides, carbides, nitrides and borides.

Foundry and Solidification Science: The Foundry and Solidification Science Team specializes in radiological casting for prototype component manufacture. The team also serves needs such as boutique alloy development and casting process development.

Material Assessment and Compatibility: The Materials Compatibility Team enhances understanding of interactions among materials, and between materials and their service environment, specializing in corrosion and aging processes that often occur only when multiple materials are combined in a complex system.

Machining and Inspection: The Machining and Inspection team performs prototype machining of metallic and non-metallic materials to support product development, production, and testing activities. Additionally, the team performs dimensional inspection of components using manual and automated methods.

Across Sigma-1, we support a wide variety of programs with an emphasis on identifying creative solutions to meet our customers' needs. The successful candidate will be able to work effectively on both independent projects and as part of a team to assist on projects. The role will largely include hands-on work in a research and development industrial setting.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

  • Hands-on experience in an industrial or research environment.
  • Demonstrated experience performing work from technical drawings, specifications, or work instructions and developing specifications for a project and verification that the end product meets expectations and requirements.
  • Demonstrated experience contributing to the development of techniques using advanced technical principles, theories, and concepts.
  • Demonstrated experience completing technical work using innovative and effective methods of execution.
  • Advanced knowledge of specialized technical/equipment work, such as, radiological materials handling, materials characterization, vacuum systems, pressure systems, mechanical systems, and data acquisition.
  • Experience participating in and contributing to pre-job briefings, and post-job briefings to improve processes, safety, security, etc.
  • Demonstrated experience leading reviews and activities of other more junior technicians.
  • Demonstrated experience supporting cross-team collaborations to accomplish work scope.
  • Advanced experience and/or specialized training working in a hazardous environment.
  • Ability to maintain training and active qualifications.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate oral and written ideas with others.
  • Experience with Microsoft programs, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
  • Advanced experience and/or specialized training in a technical field.


Education/Experience: Position requires an Associate's Degree and 7 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Formal training in one of the aforementioned technical areas.
  • Experience leading the execution of work and support of production processes.
  • Ability to troubleshoot and maintain equipment.
  • Experience with LANL-specific policies and procedures.
  • Experience in working in hazardous environments.
  • Active Q clearance.

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:

Multiple positions will be filled at the Research Technician 3, 4, and 5 levels (see separate level 3/4 job posting if you feel like you may not qualify for the higher level) depending on applicant qualifications and experience.

When submitting your application electronically to this vacancy, please submit at a minimum 1) a cover letter and 2) a resumé that contains the following information: education, relevant work experience, professional references, relevant technical skills, and work areas of interest. Please indicate team preferences if desired.

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.