Engineered Systems Technician 1/2

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance (PPO or high-deduct+

Dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Parental leave

401(k) with 6% matching

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules and PTO

On-site gyms

Relocation packages

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks an Engineered Systems Technician (EST) 1 or 2 for the HPRF 805 MHz team within the Accelerator Operations and Technology division at LANSCE. The EST will support operation, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of high-power RF systems and related electronics.

Work with engineers and technicians to install upgrades, test components such as klystrons and modulators, and maintain RF test stands.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or equivalent with 1–2 years related experience (EST1).
• HS diploma or equivalent with at least three years related experience (EST2).
• Must be able to perform installation, maintenance, commissioning, and repairs on electrical/electronic equipment.
• Availability for after-hours primary on-call support (approximately one week per month during the operating season).

Responsibilities

• Testing RF systems and equipment, including setup of prototypes and routine maintenance.
• Assisting RF and high‑voltage engineers with system upgrades, installation of new equipment, and testing of components such as klystrons and modulators.
• Maintaining RF test stands, documenting maintenance and test results, and contributing to reliability improvements.
• Coordinating maintenance activities, leading small projects or work packages, developing maintenance procedures, managing spare parts and test equipment inventories, and providing technical recommendations for repairs and upgrades.

Skills

Test equipment

Electrical maintenance

On-call support

Forklift training

Education

HS diploma + 1–2 years exp

HS diploma + 3 years exp

Tools

Electrical test equipment (multimeter, oscilloscope)

Forklift certification

Job description

Overview

The Accelerator Operations and Technology (AOT) division’s Radio Frequency Engineering (RFE) group seeks an Engineered Systems Technician (EST) 1 or 2 for the HPRF 805 MHz team. AOT is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and modernization of all accelerator systems at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), including a 201.25 MHz drift‑tube linear accelerator (LINAC) and an 805 MHz coupled‑cavity LINAC. The RFE group oversees all RF systems, pulsed modulators, and high‑power DC supplies used to operate beamline magnets. Two specialized teams exist: Low‑Level RF (LLRF) and High‑Power RF (HPRF). The HPRF team supports the multi‑megawatt RF systems, operates the Electronics Test Laboratory, and manages high‑voltage systems for the klystrons and diacrodes.

Responsibilities

The EST will work with engineers, technologists, and technicians to support the operation, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of LANSCE high‑power RF systems and related electronics. Responsibilities include:

• Testing RF systems and equipment, including setup of prototypes and routine maintenance.
• Assisting RF and high‑voltage engineers with system upgrades, installation of new equipment, and testing of components such as klystrons and modulators.
• Maintaining RF test stands, documenting maintenance and test results, and contributing to reliability improvements.
• For EST 2: coordinating maintenance activities, leading small projects or work packages, developing maintenance procedures, managing spare parts and test equipment inventories, and providing technical recommendations for repairs and upgrades.

Qualifications and Requirements

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Use of basic bench‑top electronic test equipment, hand tools, and measuring devices to conduct testing and diagnose malfunctions.
• Perform installation, maintenance, commissioning, and repairs on electrical/electronic equipment and/or systems.
• Completion of forklift and incidental crane training/certification.
• Availability for after‑hours primary on‑call support (approximately one week per month during the operating season).

Education/Experience:

• EST 1: High school diploma or equivalent with 1–2 years of related experience.
• EST 2: High school diploma or equivalent with at least three years of related experience.

Desired Qualifications (EST 1):

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to learn installation, testing, repair, and maintenance of equipment or systems.
• Strong reading of written or verbal instructions, drawings, layouts, and specifications.
• Preparedness to report on systems/equipment and to become familiar with Laboratory policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of legal requirements and environmental impacts related to equipment maintenance.

Desired Qualifications (EST 2):

• Experience with particle accelerator operations or similar complex facilities.
• Familiarity with Conduct of Operations and Conduct of Research principles and procedures.
• Experience with high‑power RF devices, high‑voltage and pulsed‑power devices, RF amplifiers, and RF transport systems.
• Experience installing and testing vacuum‑tube high‑power RF amplifier systems and high‑voltage systems.
• Maintenance, operation, and troubleshooting experience for high‑power RF systems.

Benefits

• PPO or high‑deductible medical insurance with a nationwide network.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Basic life and disability insurance.
• Paid childbirth and parental leave.
• 401(k) with 6 % matching and 3.5 % annual contribution.
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance.
• Flexible schedules and paid time off.
• On‑site gyms and wellness programs.
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius).

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 disability. The Laboratory is committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request. To request an accommodation, contact [e-mail] or call (505)‑664‑6947.