Experimental Facility Operator

Argonne National Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 40,983 - 63,934; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking an entry-level Experimental Facility Operator to join the Nuclear Science and Engineering Division. This role involves operating and maintaining cutting-edge experimental systems, particularly in the Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL), a facility focused on liquid metal technology.

The selected candidate will assist in operations and troubleshooting while collaborating with engineers and researchers. You will engage with complex equipment and contribute to significant research projects.

Strong communication skills are required, along with a background in mechanical or electrical systems.

Qualifications

• Some experience with instrumentation specification and operation.
• Liquid metal technology expertise is desirable but not essential.
• Knowledge of metallurgy, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain the METL facility under limited supervision.
• Develop and maintain various complex electronic and mechanical apparatus.
• Assist in the design and test of electronic systems.

Skills

Experimental design and operation

Liquid metal technology

Mechanical equipment knowledge

LabVIEW/Eurotherm experience

Communication skills

Education

Technical institute or AA degree

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Job description

Job Overview

The Nuclear Science and Engineering Division (NSE) at Argonne National Laboratory is looking for an Experimental Facility Operator. For this position we are seeking an entry level or near entry level electrical and/or mechanically inclined equipment operators to join our multi-disciplinary 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 sub-systems 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.

Responsibilities

• With limited supervision, follow written procedures to operate and maintain the METL facility and small and intermediate-scale liquid metal technology facilities. Provide technical support for experimental and programmatic work in the areas of mechanical, electromechanical, optical, fluid, controls, and electrical systems. Support 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.

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

• 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.

Pay Levels

• 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: $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: $39.78 - $62.06 per hour.

Job Family

Support Technical (ST)

Job Profile

Experimental Technical Support 3

Worker Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $29.75 - $46.41. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

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) for the individual to 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.