Welding & Joining Research Technician (Research Tec 3/4) | Los Alamos, NM | Los Alamos National Laboratory

Welding & Joining Research Technician (Research Tec 3/4)

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Research Technician 3 or Research Technician 4 level, depending on the skills/experience of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Sigma Division focuses on manufacturing science emphasizing metallurgical processes and research in support of the experimental testing program at Los Alamos. Sigma division supports a broad customer base, both internal and external to LANL, with high quality prototype and research and development capabilities. The work covers all materials from hydrogen to uranium on the periodic table. The Welding & Joining (W&J) team encompasses many types of welding and joining, including electron beam welding, laser welding, laser marking, laser cutting and ablation, manual and semi-automatic arc welding, brazing, and associated processing. The team also supports computational efforts, both internal to the team and in collaboration with other LANL experts, to investigate compensation, residual stresses, material composition, and microstructure development. The W&J team works with the other teams in Sigma and beyond to solve manufacturing challenges, provide metallurgical guidance, and lead the way in cutting edge welding and joining processing.

In this role you will perform hands on experimental research related to various manufacturing methods. You will conduct technical work as directed by or discussed with your supervisor with a focus on laser welding methods and will document procedures and parameters used. You will assist with maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing the equipment. You will effectively communicate with and build partnerships to ensure work is performed safely and secure in accordance with group, facility and laboratory policies. The work will enable you to utilize and grow your knowledge while working with cutting edge technology related to these processing areas.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:


Research Technician 3 ($66,100 - $103,600)

The successful level 3 candidate must have:
  • Experience with manufacturing operations in one or more of the following areas: electron beam welding, laser welding, laser marking, laser cutting and ablation, manual and semi-automatic arc welding, and brazing
  • Experience with recording procedures, equipment, and parameters used in technical/manufacturing work with an attention to detail to capture observations and data.
  • Experience building relationships and interactively communicating to ensure processing equipment and experiments are operated safely in accordance with policies and procedures.
  • A record of receiving safety and security approvals.
  • Knowledge of how to maintain and procure supplies for equipment.
  • An ability to work with vendors to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation and equipment in the facility.

Research Technician 4 ($72,800 - $115,600)

In addition, the successful level 4 candidate must have:
  • Experience conducting technical research in the lab/work area with supervisor direction.
  • Experience independently analyzing findings and data to develop a preliminary interpretation of results to present to supervisor.
  • Experience summarizing and communicating outcomes to supervisor and an ability to plan next stages of technical work
  • Experience contributing to the development of new procedures and protocols
  • Ability to mentor, train, and oversee technicians in areas of their expertise.
  • Experience assisting with scheduling, maintenance, supply inventory, and overseeing repairs to equipment.
  • A high attention to detail including strong organizational skills, analytical thinking, observation skills and problem-solving skills.

Education/Experience at the lower level: Position requires an Associate's Degree and 3 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at the Hughes level: Position requires an Associate's Degree and 5 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Ability to obtain a Q clearance which typically requires U.S. citizenship.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with hazardous materials, including radioactive and beryllium containing materials, in a safe and secure manor.
  • Experience with computer data acquisition systems on welding or fabrication equipment.
  • Experience and/or familiarity working with vacuum systems and/or leak detection equipment.
  • Experience maintaining, diagnosing, or repairing electronics equipment.
  • Formal training or experience in welding, brazing, additive manufacturing, machining, or heat-treating using either computer or manual controlled equipment.
  • Experience reading and assembling parts using drawings and schematics.
  • Proven ability to work in a dynamic environment and adjust to changes.

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 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:

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.