Laboratory Vacuum Equipment Technologist / Sr. Technologist

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA, is seeking a Laboratory Vacuum Equipment Technologist / Sr. Technologist to support vacuum-processing applications, including vapor deposition and joining, within the MED Vacuum Processes Laboratory.

The role requires on-site presence, level-appropriate responsibilities, and collaboration with engineers and technicians to install, maintain, and upgrade vacuum systems, perform leak testing, and document maintenance and procedures.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain DOE Q clearance.
• Associate degree in mechanical engineering technology, vacuum technology, manufacturing technology, welding technology, or related field.
• Hands-on experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing high-vacuum systems.
• Knowledge of vacuum fundamentals and cleanliness practices.
• Experience with hand and power tools, precision measuring equipment, and fabrication equipment.
• Experience operating conventional machine-shop equipment.
• Familiarity with CAD software (SolidWorks or equivalent).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and repair vacuum systems and related hardware.
• Fabricate, machine, modify, and assemble mechanical components and high-vacuum hardware.
• Assemble/disassemble vacuum chambers and piping; maintain cleanliness and surfaces.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on laboratory systems.
• Assist with installation, testing, commissioning, and upgrades of vacuum systems.
• Perform helium leak detection and pump-down diagnostics to verify repairs.
• Create/modify fabrication drawings and CAD models.
• Read electrical schematics and engineering documentation.
• Support welding, brazing, and joining processes.
• Maintain equipment documentation and logs.
• Collaborate with engineers and technologists to support lab operations.
• Follow ES&H, security, and quality requirements.
• Handle radioactive/toxic materials safely as required.

Skills

Vacuum systems operation

Mechanical troubleshooting

Fabrication & assembly

CAD (SolidWorks)

Reading drawings

Documentation

Team collaboration

Education

Associate degree in mechanical engineering technology/vacuum technology/manufacturing technology or related

Tools

SolidWorks

Machine-shop equipment

Job description

Laboratory Vacuum Equipment Technologist / Sr. Technologist

Reference #: REF9085O
Job Code: 533.2 Technologist-Mechanical / 533.3 Sr Technologist-Mechanical
Organization: Engineering
Position Type: Career Indefinite
Security Clearance: Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)
Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
Medical Exam: Not applicable

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

We are looking for a Mechanical Technologist/Senior Mechanical Technologist with hands-on experience in vacuum systems, mechanical fabrication, and joining technologies. You will support ongoing programmatic activities independently or in collaboration with engineers, scientists, and technical staff. This position supports a wide variety of vacuum-processing applications, including vapor deposition, materials joining, and mechanical systems used for national security and scientific research. The position is in the the Vacuum Processes Laboratory within Materials Engineering Division (MED) in theEngineering Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at eitherlevel based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair vacuum systems, including roughing and high-vacuum pumps, vacuum gauges, valves, and associated hardware.
• Fabricate, machine, modify, and assemble mechanical components, high-vacuum hardware, experimental fixtures, and tooling using engineering drawings, hand and power tools, and conventional machine-shop equipment.
• Assemble and disassemble vacuum chambers and pumping systems; prepare sealing surfaces; replace vacuum gaskets; and install vacuum flanges, fittings, and piping using appropriate cleanliness and assembly practices.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on mechanical, vacuum, gas-delivery, cooling, and other laboratory-support systems.
• Assist with equipment installation, integration, testing, commissioning, and system upgrades, including vacuum-system modifications and pump replacements.
• Perform helium leak detection, pressure-rise testing, and pump-down diagnostics to identify leaks, evaluate vacuum performance, and verify repairs.
• Create or modify fabrication drawings and mechanical models using CAD software, such as SolidWorks or similar packages.
• Read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and engineering documentation.
• Support welding, brazing, and other joining processes, including component preparation, fixture assembly, and equipment setup.
• Maintain equipment documentation, maintenance records, calibration records, and experimental logs.
• Work collaboratively with engineers, scientists, machinists, and technical staff to support laboratory operations and research activities.
• Follow written operating procedures and maintain compliance with ES&H, security, and quality requirements.
• Occasionally work with radioactive materials, toxic materials, and solvents used in high-vacuum applications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the 533.3 level

• Independently troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve complex vacuum, mechanical, and electromechanical system issues with minimal supervision.
• Lead the installation, commissioning, modification, maintenance, and repair of vacuum systems and laboratory equipment, including planning work sequences and verifying system performance.
• Design and fabricate mechanical fixtures, tooling, assemblies, and vacuum-system modifications to improve equipment reliability and laboratory capabilities.
• Determine fabrication methods, materials, tolerances, and assembly approaches in collaboration with engineers and technical staff.
• Develop maintenance procedures, work instructions, and technical documentation for vacuum-system operation, leak testing, fabrication, and equipment servicing.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship in vacuum practices, mechanical assembly, fabrication, and troubleshooting.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Associate degree in mechanical engineering technology, vacuum technology, manufacturing technology, welding technology, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Hands-on experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing high-vacuum systems, including vacuum pumps, gauges, valves, seals, and associated components.
• Working knowledge of vacuum fundamentals, including roughing and high-vacuum pumping, pressure measurement, leak detection, and cleanliness practices.
• Experience using hand tools, power tools, precision measuring equipment, and common fabrication equipment to fabricate, inspect, and assemble mechanical components.
• Experience operating conventional machine-shop equipment, including mills, lathes, drill presses, band saws, or similar fabrication equipment.
• Familiarity with CAD software, such as SolidWorks or similar mechanical-design software.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience with the Microsoft Office suite.

Additional qualifications at the 533.3 level

• Experience independently diagnosing and resolving complex high-vacuum system problems, including leaks, pumping deficiencies, and degraded system performance.
• Significant experience with mechanical fabrication, machining, assembly, and system integration, including designing and producing custom components, tooling, and fixtures from drawings or technical requirements.
• Experience leading equipment installations, upgrades, and technical projects, including vacuum-system assembly, commissioning, and performance verification.
• Ability to translate technical requirements into practical fabrication and equipment-modification solutions and document completed work.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with a variety of vacuum pumps, such as dry scroll, rotary-vane, Roots blower, turbomolecular, diffusion, or cryogenic pumps.
• Familiarity with operating mass-flow controllers and residual-gas analyzers.
• Experience with gas-delivery systems, tubing, tube bending, and compression fittings.
• Experience with welding processes, such as TIG, MIG, orbital welding, or brazing, particularly for vacuum-compatible components and assemblies.
• Experience with thin-film deposition systems, vacuum-brazing furnaces, heat-treating equipment, or other vacuum-processing equipment.
• Familiarity with software coding and programming.
• Experience designing mechanical components, tooling, or fixtures using CAD software.

Pay Range

Additional Information

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

CaliforniaPrivacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitlesjob applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here .