Special Materials Machinist 2/3 | Los Alamos, NM | Los Alamos National Laboratory

Special Materials Machinist 2/3

What You Will Do

Sigma-1, Fabrication Manufacturing Sciences, is looking for highly motivated machinists to work with existing staff to support R&D component manufacturing within the Machining and Inspection (M&I) Team. The M&I Team boasts a fully equipped machine shop, including multiple new machines and an inspection lab. Highlights of the machine shop capabilities include manual and CNC turning, manual and CNC milling, wire electrical discharge machining, and 3D printing. The M&I Team supports the entire Sigma Division including Foundry, Thermomechanical Processing operations, and Welding & Joining among others.

The successful applicant will join the Sigma staff to perform manufacturing operations, primarily machining, on a wide range of materials, including some unique special materials with specific hazards (radiation, pyrophoric, etc.), to produce high quality components and subassemblies in support of production/experimental programs as well as special projects.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:


Special Machinist 2 ($59,200- $91,600)
  • Experience working with hazardous materials.
  • Experience setting up and operating machine equipment experience with CAD/CAM software, including creating CAD/CAM code and G-code/M-code to support machining operations.
  • Experience performing non-routine tasks that require independent judgment and working from general instructions on new assignments.
  • Experience manufacturing semi-complex parts made from typical materials while working safely within an industrial manufacturing environment.
  • Experience performing precision measurements to meet quality requirements.
  • Experience in using hand tools, shop equipment, manual machines, and CNC equipment (with appropriate supervision level).
  • Ability to understand machining processes, tools, operations, measurements, shop mathematics, and material properties, with the ability to accurately read and interpret engineering drawings.
  • Foundational knowledge of applied material properties.


Special Machinist 3 ($71,200- $112,900)

In addition to the SMM 3 requirements, the candidate should have:
  • Experience working with hazardous materials.
  • Expert-level skill in independently setting up and operating machine equipment experience with CAD/CAM software, including creating CAD/CAM code and G-code/M-code to support machining operations.
  • Experience manufacturing complex parts made from difficult materials with exacting tolerances while working safely within an industrial manufacturing environment.
  • Experience troubleshooting and repairing machining equipment to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation in a manufacturing environment.
  • Expert-level skill in applying best judgment to problem-solve work with general instruction with little to no supervision.
  • Ability to provide leadership and in the areas of safety, compliance, and security
  • Applies knowledge of the job, and company policies and principles to complete a wide range of tasks. Complete understanding and wide application of technical principle, theories, and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines.


Special Machinist 2

Position requires an Associate's Degree (AAS) in Machining Technologies or equivalent precision metalworking program and 2 years of related experience; OR, 4 years prototype experience; OR, Journeyperson qualification program and 2 years of related experience.

Special Machinist 3

Position requires an Associate's Degree (AAS) in Machining Technologies or equivalent precision metalworking program and 4 year's related experience; OR, 6 year's prototype experience; OR, Journeyperson qualification program and 4 years of experience.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Active Q clearance.
  • Experience with ultrasonic machining equipment.
  • Experience working with ceramic materials

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

Good hand eye coordination and fine motor control.
  • Ability to lift/carry 30-40 lbs.
  • Ability to acquire and maintain rigorous training as required.

Work Environment:

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 Special Materials Machinist 1-5 levels (see other postings) depending on applicant qualifications and experience.

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.