Decontamination Operations Technologist/Firing Site Lead (Engineering Technologist 2/3)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision

Life and disability insurance

Paid leave and holidays

401(k) with matching

Tuition assistance

Relocation packages

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM seeks an Engineering Technologist 2 or 3 to support the Hydrodynamic and Subcritical Experiment Execution Support program by fielding, restoring, and decontaminating confinement vessels, and performing related maintenance under supervision.

The role involves hazardous operations near explosives, crane and heavy equipment use, waste handling, and ensuring compliance with formal operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering technology, science, math or related field with relevant experience.
• Experience with confinement vessel decontamination and hazardous operations preferred.
• Ability to operate heavy equipment and follow formal procedures.

Responsibilities

• Support confinement vessel cleanout, decontamination, and fielding operations.
• Operate cranes, forklifts and other heavy equipment during tests.
• Prepare documentation and maintain records per procedures.

Skills

HEPA vacuums

Media blast systems

Glovebox decon

Crane operations

Forklifts

Heavy equipment operation

Hazardous operations safety

Data collection

Record keeping

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Technology

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Glovebox enclosures

HEPA ventilation systems

PPE equipment

Job description

What You Will Do

Engineering Technologist 2 or 3 (depending on skills) in the Integrated Weapons Experiments Division, Dynamic Structure Design, Engineering, and Vessel Operations (J‑2) Group will support the Stockpile Modernization mission for the Hydrodynamic and Subcritical Experiment Execution Support (HSEES) Program by working with the vessel operations team on fielding, restoration, and decontamination of confinement vessels. The role involves fielding explosives for hydrodynamic testing, disassembly, decontamination, vessel repair, and inspection following detailed drawings and procedures. The position is in Los Alamos, NM, with occasional travel to the Nevada National Security Site in Las Vegas, NV. Teamwork, collaboration with engineers, technicians, drafters, designers, and program management are essential.

Engineering Technologist 2

As a Decontamination Ops/Firing Site Lead, the candidate will assist in confinement vessel cleanout operations under a senior Technologist and work to gain proficiency in vessel cleanout, decontamination, and other vessel tasks.

Engineering Technologist 3

In addition to Level 2 responsibilities, the Level 3 Decontamination Ops/Firing Site Lead will serve as the point of contact for firing operations for individual tests, preparing all required documents, approvals, and authorizations.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Operate and maintain programmatic equipment such as specialized HEPA vacuum systems, media blast systems, and glovebox‑style decontamination systems
• Perform material recovery, waste characterization, and waste packaging
• Conduct crane, hoisting, and rigging operations
• Operate forklifts and other heavy equipment
• Support operations at explosive firing sites
• Successfully complete facility‑specific and programmatic training
• Adhere to Formality of Operations principles, including Conduct of Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Training
• Work occasional overtime as required to support mission needs
• Obtain a DOE Q Clearance

Additional Job Requirements as Engineering Technologist (Decontamination Operations Technologist/Firing Site Lead) Level 3

• Experience in hazardous operations including radiological and beryllium contamination areas, high explosives, confined space, and understanding of decontamination methods and engineering controls
• Experience with hand tools, machining processes, specialized equipment such as glovebox enclosures, HEPA ventilation systems, and personal protection equipment such as air‑purifying or supplied‑air systems
• Demonstrated experience with mechanical lifting operations; qualified crane, forklift, manlift, and jack‑and‑roll processes
• Demonstrated experience in data collection, formal record keeping
• Demonstrated experience utilizing written procedures with no supervision, including attention to detail, documenting assembly packages, change control, inventory, and working under formal conduct of operations
• Demonstrated problem‑solving skills and the ability to prioritize workloads to meet deliverables, investigating alternative solutions and recommending solutions
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills and the ability to interact with all levels of personnel and customers, including scientists, engineers, technicians, and support personnel

Education / Experience

Engineering Technologist 2: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Technology, Science, Math or related field and 5 years of directly related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Engineering Technologist 3: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Science, Math or related field from an accredited institution and 8 years of directly related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of weapon systems and understanding of post‑execution hazards with confinement systems
• Experience in development of critical lift plans, ordinary lift plans, and material handling plans
• Qualified or certified LANL HE Handler
• Qualification, certification, or experience as Firing Site Lead
• Experience with high‑hazard/complex operations requiring all levels of PPE use
• DOE Q Clearance

Work Environment

Outdoors, confined spaces, heights, underground, solo work, irregular schedule, domestic/foreign travel, motor vehicle operation, work with weapons or explosives, vibrating equipment/machinery, moving parts, toxic chemicals, irritants, dusts or powders, sprays, mists or vapors, fumes, carcinogens, hearing protection, gloves, hand protection, safety shoes, headgear, safety glasses, face shield, masks or respirators.

Work Location

Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position Commitment

Regular appointment employees must serve a continuous period of service in their current position to be eligible to apply for posted jobs; otherwise, approval from the Division Leader is required. The position commitment for this role is 1 year.

Benefit Highlights

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with a nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• 401(k) with 6% matching plus 3.5% annually
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and PTO and holidays
• On‑site gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Clearance

Q clearance required. Eligibility: U.S. citizenship and at least 18 years. Background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government; clearance may be granted to dual citizens under specific circumstances.

New‑Employment Drug Test

Successful applicants must complete a new‑employment drug test and comply with the laboratory’s substance‑abuse policy. A positive test for marijuana results in termination even if use was pre‑offer, per federal law.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal‑opportunity employer. Employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or other protected categories. The laboratory is committed to making the workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request.