Experimental Facility Operator

Argonne National Laboratory; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 40,983 - 63,934; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking an Experimental Facility Operator to support operations and maintenance of the Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL). Responsibilities include operating the facility with limited supervision and providing essential technical support for various systems.

Ideal candidates will have experience with experimental design, mechanical systems knowledge, and effective communication skills. The position offers a competitive pay range of $29.75–$46.41 per hour along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Some experience with experimental design and operation including instrumentation specification, installation, and operation.
• Familiarity with industry standards and practices for electrical and/or mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of mechanical equipment and thermal effects on materials and components.
• Skilled in oral and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain the METL facility with limited supervision.
• Provide technical support for mechanical, electromechanical, and electrical systems.
• Assist in the design and test of electronic systems.
• Develop, fabricate, and maintain complex electronic and mechanical apparatus.

Skills

Experimental design and operation

Mechanical systems knowledge

Oral and written communication

LabVIEW experience

Job description

About the Role

The Experimental Facility Operator will support the operations and maintenance of the Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL), an intermediate‑scale liquid metal experimental facility, and other research and test systems.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain the METL facility and small and intermediate‑scale liquid metal technology facilities following written procedures with limited supervision.
• Provide technical support in mechanical, electromechanical, optical, fluid, controls, and electrical systems for experimental and programmatic work.
• Support the research needs of the R&D community installing and testing components in METL.
• Develop, fabricate, troubleshoot, repair, calibrate, purchase, and maintain complex electronic and mechanical apparatus, plant/process equipment, and subsystems that support the METL facility and experiments.
• Assist in the design and test of electronic systems, typically consisting of power supplies and controllers, data logging hardware, and equipment for temperature and valve control, with supervision.

Qualifications

• Some experience with experimental design and operation including instrumentation specification, installation, and operation.
• Familiarity with industry standards and practices for electrical and/or mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of mechanical equipment (motors, pulleys, gears, pumps, valves, etc.) and thermal effects on materials and components (expansion, evaporation, etc.).
• Operation of a personal computer.
• Knowledge of metallurgy, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics desirable.
• LabVIEW, Eurotherm, or industrial control experience desirable.
• Must maintain knowledge and awareness of laboratory policies and procedures.
• Skilled in oral and written communication.
• Ability to model Argonne’s core values: impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.
• Will be trained on handling liquid metals; liquid metal technology expertise desirable but not essential.
• Intermittent shift work possible because METL operates 24h/day.

Compensation

Pay ranges: $35.73–$55.74 per hour for ST3; $39.78–$62.06 per hour for ST4. Expected hiring range $29.75–$46.41. Comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

Equal Employment Opportunity

As an equal employment opportunity employer, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.