Research Technologist 2/3 - Advanced Experimental Design and Analysis

What You Will Do

Research Technologist 2 $94,500 - $154,600

As a Research Technologist 2, you will be a key member of our team, contributing to groundbreaking projects that impact national security. You'll collaborate with senior technologists and engineers to perform advanced technical work in areas such as inductive heating, high temperature furnaces, vacuum pumps, cooling skids, automated PLC system, and high voltage electricity. Your role will involve resolving complex problems, troubleshooting equipment issues, and ensuring the safety and security of our environment. You'll have the opportunity to implement manufacturing improvements, mentor junior staff, and contribute to project development.

Research Technologist 3 $104,100 - $172,200

In addition to the responsibilities outlined at the lower level, as a Research Technologist 3, you will take on a leadership role in developing innovative solutions for complex research projects. You'll have the opportunity to lead small teams, act as a subject matter expert in your field, and make significant contributions to equipment development and maintenance. Your work will involve integrating data across multiple technical areas and tracking equipment health and stability through statistical methods.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

  • Demonstrated depth of knowledge in scientific principles, experimental processes, and data analysis methods
  • Demonstrated technical leadership in area of expertise
  • Proven ability to contribute to the development of new techniques and research goals
  • Experience in preparing research documentation and technical reports
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently
  • Commitment to maintaining a safe and secure work environment
  • Demonstrated knowledge of industry, regulatory, DOE/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) complex codes, standards and criteria pertinent to the particular area of research
  • Develops specifications for product/system/equipment design and/or production processes in support of research
  • Ability to obtain a Department of Energy Q-clearance
  • Ability to acquire and retain Human Reliability Program (HRP)-certification
  • Ability to acquire and retain Fissionable Material Handler (FMH)-certification
  • Demonstrated experience performing formal on-the-job training (OJT) and evaluating performance demonstrations.


Additional Job Requirements for Research Technologist 3:

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
  • Expert-level knowledge and demonstrated breadth in related subject areas
  • Demonstrated expert knowledge and refined skills in area of technical specialty, experience in specialized experimental processes, mathematical formulas as appropriate, computations, data reduction methods, and data gathering methods
  • Develops new techniques, concepts, experimental design and/or innovative/effective solutions to complex problems in area of specialty training and across related subject areas
  • Demonstrated experience covering either a large project or several smaller projects contributing to an overall program
  • Mentoring junior staff
  • Track record of excellence and reliability in leadership positions.


Training/Certifications: Calibrated instrumentation use/maintenance (thermocouples, transducers, flow meters, temperature sensors, etc.), programmable logic controllers, vacuum systems.

Education/Experience at lower level: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 5 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at higher level: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 8 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. Post-graduate coursework may be desirable.

DOE Order 426.2: Requires a High School Diploma

Desired Qualifications:

  • Degree in a relevant scientific or engineering field
  • Experience working in high-consequence safety environments (e.g., high temperature foundries, high powered welding, chemical processing, etc.)
  • Knowledge of DOE/NNSA complex codes and standards
  • Active security clearance
  • Demonstrated experience in project management
  • Glovebox experience
  • Demonstrated knowledge of a broad range of techniques, including experience using induction heating technologies, furnace operations, vacuum systems, and/or high-hazard electrical systems

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):

Reading vision, ability to speak, ability to hear in a normal range (500 to 3000 Hz), sitting, standing, walking, crouching, reaching, use of both arms, applying torque with hands/arms, gripping with hands, and lifting 30+ pounds.

Work Environment:

Work occurs primarily in a laboratory or glovebox environment near sources of ionizing radiation. PPE used includes eye protection, gloves, protective coveralls and shoe covers, and occasional respirator.

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:

Please submit a detailed resume and cover letter highlighting your experience that meets the minimum requirements of the job to be considered for this position.

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.

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 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.