SFCC Special Materials Machinist Pipeline Program
- Req. Number: IRC141060
- Organization : PT-2 / Machining
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
Overview
Become part of a nationally critical mission. The Special Materials Machinist (SMM) Pipeline Program is a competitive and comprehensive pathway designed to prepare students for entry-level machining roles at Los Alamos National Laboratory's (LANL) premier plutonium facility-TA-55. In collaboration with Santa Fe Community College (SFCC), this program equips students with the skills to operate in one of the most advanced, secure, and high-tech manufacturing environments in the country.
What You Will Do
Located in northern New Mexico, LANL is the nation's premier plutonium center of excellence, leading the charge in:
Within LANL, the Pit Technologies (PT) Division, under the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP), plays a critical role in delivering top-quality plutonium pit-related products and services that are central to U.S. national security.
As part of the PT-2 Machining Group, SMMs are on the front lines of high-precision, high-consequence manufacturing of plutonium pits-the core components of modern thermonuclear weapons. Machinists work within TA-55's PF-4 nuclear materials facility, supporting both manufacturing and surveillance operations.
You'll contribute to:
This tuition-supported internship offers a direct pipeline into full-time employment at LANL and includes:
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Training/Certifications: Successful candidates will be expected to complete the Laboratory's SMM Qualification Program upon hire.
Education/Experience: High school diploma or equivalent required. Completion of the AAS degree program in 2 consecutive years with a 3.0 GPA as determined by SFCC academic process.
Desired Qualifications:
Computer skills:
Work Location: Typical schedule will be in classroom instruction Monday through Thursday at Santa Fe Community College and on-site internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory on Friday during Spring and Fall semesters. Summer and Winter breaks will require scheduled Internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Note to Applicants:
Fall & Spring Semesters:
Winter & Summer Breaks:
Upon successful completion of the program, participants must commit to three years of employment at LANL's TA-55 plutonium facility as a Special Materials Machinist. -- Failure to fulfill this commitment may result in repayment of tuition and fees to LANL.
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.
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.Instructions on How to Activate/Create a LANL Jobs Account:
Follow the instructions below if you have ever had an employee Z number, been a contractor, or received Los Alamos Lab insurance coverage to activate your account:
• Select the Click Here button if you have been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage.
• Please enter only your first and last name and current email address (an email with your validation code will be sent to you) to activate the account currently in our system.
• Enter your validation code as described in the email you receive and complete the 3-page registration form. Your account is now active, and you can apply for jobs or save to your basket.
Important: Enter the validation code within 15 days to activate your account or your account will be deactivated
Follow the instructions below if you if you have never been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage to create an account:
• Select the Register button if you have never been employed with the Lab or received
insurance coverage to Create an Account.
• From here, you will establish an account with username and password
How to Apply: How to Apply: Login to Your Account to Complete the Application Process
Click the Vacancy Name number (in blue) to view any job's details.
• Click Apply or Add to Basket to apply later. Tip: To apply for a job or save your basket, you must have a LANL jobs account.
If you experience any technical issues, please email applyhelp@lanl.gov for assistance.
Become part of a nationally critical mission. The Special Materials Machinist (SMM) Pipeline Program is a competitive and comprehensive pathway designed to prepare students for entry-level machining roles at Los Alamos National Laboratory's (LANL) premier plutonium facility-TA-55. In collaboration with Santa Fe Community College (SFCC), this program equips students with the skills to operate in one of the most advanced, secure, and high-tech manufacturing environments in the country.
What You Will Do
Located in northern New Mexico, LANL is the nation's premier plutonium center of excellence, leading the charge in:
- Ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile
- Pioneering research in national security, space, geophysics, renewable energy, medicine, supercomputing, and nanotechnology
Within LANL, the Pit Technologies (PT) Division, under the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP), plays a critical role in delivering top-quality plutonium pit-related products and services that are central to U.S. national security.
As part of the PT-2 Machining Group, SMMs are on the front lines of high-precision, high-consequence manufacturing of plutonium pits-the core components of modern thermonuclear weapons. Machinists work within TA-55's PF-4 nuclear materials facility, supporting both manufacturing and surveillance operations.
You'll contribute to:
- Fabricating and qualifying nuclear weapons components
- Performing technical machining on actinide materials
- Supporting surveillance efforts to monitor and predict stockpile longevity
This tuition-supported internship offers a direct pipeline into full-time employment at LANL and includes:
- Full reimbursement of tuition and fees
- Hourly pay for:
- Class time at SFCC
- Time spent initiating security clearance
- Completing LANL training
- On-site internships at LANL
- Transition to full-time employment upon graduation (contingent on eligibility)
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Complete employment application For Los Alamos National Labortory
- Include:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- High School transcripts
- College transcripts (if appliciable)
- GPA: 3.0 minimum (HS or college)
- Complete Enrollment application at Santa Fe Community College
- Enrolled in Engineering Machining Technology AAS degree
- Full-time student status at SFCC (12-18 credits)
- Minimum WorkKeys scores:
- Workplace Documents: 3
- Applied Math: 3
- Graphic Literacy: 3
- Eligible for Q-level DOE security clearance
- U.S. citizenship required
Training/Certifications: Successful candidates will be expected to complete the Laboratory's SMM Qualification Program upon hire.
Education/Experience: High school diploma or equivalent required. Completion of the AAS degree program in 2 consecutive years with a 3.0 GPA as determined by SFCC academic process.
Desired Qualifications:
Computer skills:
- Mechanically inclined
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams
Work Location: Typical schedule will be in classroom instruction Monday through Thursday at Santa Fe Community College and on-site internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory on Friday during Spring and Fall semesters. Summer and Winter breaks will require scheduled Internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Note to Applicants:
Fall & Spring Semesters:
- In-class instruction at SFCC
- On-site internship at LANL
Winter & Summer Breaks:
- Full-time internship at LANL
Upon successful completion of the program, participants must commit to three years of employment at LANL's TA-55 plutonium facility as a Special Materials Machinist. -- Failure to fulfill this commitment may result in repayment of tuition and fees to LANL.
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.
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.Instructions on How to Activate/Create a LANL Jobs Account:
Follow the instructions below if you have ever had an employee Z number, been a contractor, or received Los Alamos Lab insurance coverage to activate your account:
• Select the Click Here button if you have been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage.
• Please enter only your first and last name and current email address (an email with your validation code will be sent to you) to activate the account currently in our system.
• Enter your validation code as described in the email you receive and complete the 3-page registration form. Your account is now active, and you can apply for jobs or save to your basket.
Important: Enter the validation code within 15 days to activate your account or your account will be deactivated
Follow the instructions below if you if you have never been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage to create an account:
• Select the Register button if you have never been employed with the Lab or received
insurance coverage to Create an Account.
• From here, you will establish an account with username and password
How to Apply: How to Apply: Login to Your Account to Complete the Application Process
Click the Vacancy Name number (in blue) to view any job's details.
• Click Apply or Add to Basket to apply later. Tip: To apply for a job or save your basket, you must have a LANL jobs account.
If you experience any technical issues, please email applyhelp@lanl.gov for assistance.
