Experimental Facility Operator

3M HEALTHCARE; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 41,328 - 63,369; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, IL seeks an entry-level electrical and/or mechanically inclined operator to support the METL liquid metal facility and other experimental systems. Under supervision, you will design, build, test, operate and troubleshoot with a focus on operations and maintenance.

You will follow procedures, assist with instrumentation and control systems, and gain experience with data logging, LabVIEW, and industrial controls.

Qualifications

• Under supervision, operate and maintain METL and related facilities following written procedures.
• Provide technical support for mechanical, electromechanical, electrical, fluid, and control systems for experiments.
• Assist in designing and testing electronic systems, including power supplies and data logging.
• Familiarity with instrumentation (thermocouples, transmitters, flow meters) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Operate METL and intermediate‑scale liquid metal facilities with supervision.
• Troubleshoot, calibrate, repair, and maintain equipment and subsystems.
• Support experimental and programmatic work for R&D teams.
• Assist in installation and operation of instrumentation and control systems.

Skills

Electrical systems

Mechanical systems

Instrumentation

LabVIEW

Technical troubleshooting

Oral & written communication

Education

AA degree

Engineering bachelor’s degree

Tools

LabVIEW

Eurotherm

Data logging hardware

Job description

Overview

For this position we are seeking an entry level or near entry level electrical and/or mechanically inclined equipment operator to join our multidisciplinary team that includes design engineers, test engineers, fluids and thermal researchers, and experienced technicians. The selected individual will, under supervision, design, build, test, operate and troubleshoot cutting‑edge experimental systems and subsystems with a primary focus on the operations and maintenance of an intermediate‑scale liquid metal technology facility called the Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL) and other experimental systems.

METL is an intermediate‑scale liquid metal experimental facility whose purpose is to provide purified R‑grade sodium to various experimental test vessels to test components that are required to operate in a prototypic advanced reactor environment. The METL facility will provide its services to researchers located at Argonne, in the U.S. and internationally.

Note: This description describes the general nature of work but is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities.

Position Requirements

• With limited supervision, follow written procedures to operate and maintain the METL facility and small and intermediate‑scale liquid metal technology facilities.
• With limited supervision, provide technical support for experimental and programmatic work in the areas of mechanical, electromechanical, optical, fluid, controls, and electrical systems, supporting the research needs of the R&D community who will be installing and testing components in METL.
• With limited supervision, develop, fabricate, troubleshoot, repair, calibrate, purchase, and maintain a variety of complex electronic and mechanical apparatus, plant/process equipment, and subsystems that support the METL facility and the experiments conducted in that facility.
• With supervision, assist in the design and test electronic systems which typically consist of power supplies and controllers, data logging hardware, and equipment for temperature and valve control.
• Some experience with experimental design and operation including instrumentation (thermocouples, pressure transmitters, flow meters, level, etc.) specification, installation and operation.
• Liquid metal technology expertise is desirable, but not essential. You will be trained on handling liquid metals.
• Some familiarity with industry standards and practices for electrical and/or mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of mechanical equipment (motors, pulleys, gears, pumps, valves, etc.), thermal effects on materials and components (expansion, evaporation, etc.), and operation of a personal computer.
• Knowledge of metallurgy, heat transfer and fluid mechanics is desirable.
• Some LabVIEW/Eurotherm/industrial control experience is 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.
• The position may include intermittent shift work because METL operates 24 hours per day.

Level and Pay

The selected candidate will be placed at the appropriate level (ST3 or ST4) depending upon depth and breadth of relevant knowledge, skills, and experience brought to the position.

ST3 Level: Technical institute or AA degree and 7+ years of related work experience, Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and 4+ years of related work experience, or equivalent. Expected pay range: $35.73 – $55.74 per hour.

ST4 Level: Technical institute or AA degree and 10+ years of related work experience, Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and 7+ years of related work experience, or equivalent. Expected pay range: $39.78 – $62.06 per hour.

Job Family: Support Technical (ST) – Experimental Technical Support 3 – Worker Type: Regular, Time Type: Full time. Expected hiring range for this position: $29.75 – $46.41 per hour.

Benefits

Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package. Click here to view Argonne employee benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, 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.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case‑by‑case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) that the individual obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.