Instrument Technician

UT-Battelle; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and retirement plans

Flexible work hours

On-site fitness

Job summary

ORNL is seeking an Instrument Technician to support installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and calibration of electronic components and systems. This role sits in the Measurement Services Group within the Fabrication, Instrumentation, and Inspection Division and supports ORNL’s mission.

Responsibilities include preventive maintenance, calibrations, equipment installation, and PLC programming as needed.

Qualifications

• Two-year degree in Electronics or related field, or equivalent military/technical school training.
• Minimum of four years of hands-on maintenance experience in repair of electronic systems or instrumentation.
• Must maintain electrical worker qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct technical support to customers, diagnosing issues and advising on equipment use.
• Schedule work activities and advise on equipment installation, upgrades, and enhancements.
• Participate in pre-job briefings and work control processes; contribute to procedures and job planning.
• Perform preventive maintenance and checks to ensure system reliability.
• Conduct calibrations to verify equipment performance.
• Install equipment including servers, chassis, patch panels, and network devices.
• Troubleshoot and repair equipment and cabling, including fiber optics.

Skills

Electronics

Maintenance

Troubleshooting

Instrumentation

Electrical safety

Education

Two-year degree in Electronics

Tools

LabVIEW

PLC languages

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an Instrument Technician who will focus on perform a wide range of technical activities supporting the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and calibration of electronic components, equipment, and systems. You will apply principles and theories of electronics to ensure all work is performed in accordance with internal procedures, published specifications, and industry standards. This position plays a critical role in maintaining reliable, safe, and high-performing systems in support of ORNL’s mission. This position resides in the Measurement Services Group in the Fabrication, Instrumentation, and Inspection Division of the Facilities and Operations Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Provide direct technical support to customers, identifying needs, diagnosing issues, and advising on proper equipment use.
• Assist with scheduling work activities and provide recommendations for equipment installation, upgrades, and enhancements.
• Participate in pre-job briefings and work control processes, providing input to procedures and job planning.
• Perform preventive maintenance and operational checks to ensure system reliability.
• Conduct calibrations to verify equipment meets required performance criteria.
• Install equipment including servers, chassis, patch panels, cable management systems, and network devices.
• Troubleshoot and repair equipment, cabling, and fiber‑optic infrastructure.
• Design, fabricate, or build custom equipment and components (e.g., panels, brackets, test cabinets, cable assemblies) to meet special customer needs or modify existing systems.
• PLC programming as required.
• Adhere to the principles of Safe Conduct of Research by raising safety concerns, maintaining a questioning attitude, assessing hazards for every task, and committing to continuous learning.
• Other tasks as assigned by management.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications

• A two‑year degree in Electronics or a related field, or equivalent military or technical school training.
• A minimum of four years of relevant hands‑on maintenance experience in the repair of electronic systems and industrial instrumentation, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must maintain electrical worker qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience installing, maintaining, inspecting, diagnosing, and repairing electronic, pneumatic, and microprocessor‑based equipment.
• Ability to interpret and work from electrical and electronic schematics.
• Ability to troubleshoot control systems and associated components.
• Experience using electrical testing and measurement equipment.
• Experience programming control devices, PID loops, and control systems.
• Experience in software development using LabVIEW, PLC languages, or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of the NEC codebook or other applicable electrical and safety standards.
• General knowledge of lock‑out/tag‑out and other related safety procedures.
• Strong communication and reading skills, including comprehension of technical documentation.
• Solid mathematical, scientific, mechanical, and logical reasoning abilities.
• Ability to interact professionally and effectively in high‑stress situations.
• Detail‑oriented with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Motivated self‑starter with the ability to work independently and contribute creatively within collaborative, cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced research environment, prioritize effectively, manage multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to changing needs.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self‑starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast‑paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Special Requirements

• Physical Requirements: Work involves various physical requirements and working conditions. As such, a pre‑hire physical will be required after offer.
• Q Clearance: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse ?WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre‑placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

About ORNL

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80‑year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well‑being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on‑site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following:

• Prescription Drug Plan
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Contributory Pension Plan
• Life Insurance
• Disability Benefits
• Generous Vacation and Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts