Mechanical Technician III - Installation

Fermilab; Lead (SD); On-site; USD 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Paid time off

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Fermilab is seeking a Technician III to join the LBNF/DUNE project team in Lead, South Dakota. You will perform skilled tasks underground, assembling and maintaining complex equipment, while following safety and documentation procedures.

The role requires a HS diploma or technical certificate with substantial related experience and knowledge in mechanical/electrical systems. Onsite work with a shift rotation is expected; benefits include comprehensive health plans and retirement options.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or technical certificate with extensive related experience.
• Demonstrated experience and advanced knowledge in the assigned technical area.
• Comprehensive knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and/or ES&H technology concepts, practices, and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Work underground on a rotating 12-hour shift (days to nights every 2 months); second shift has a differential.
• Fabricate, set up, operate, test, repair, and/or modify electrical, electronic, and/or mechanical equipment per drawings and schematics.
• Act as point person for technical issues; assist with construction, assembly, and prep of equipment for operation.

Skills

HS diploma

5+ years exp

DOE lab exp

Electrical/mechanical

Safety training

Education

Technical certificate

Job description

Pay Range

The expected hiring range for this position is: $28.30-$34.51. 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 the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

About the Role

A Technician III is sought to join Fermilab’s Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) and Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) Project team in Lead, South Dakota. The LBNF/DUNE Project is hosted by Fermilab in Batavia, IL, with participation from universities and laboratories around the world. The project includes construction of a beamline and near detector at Fermilab and a large underground detector at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota. LBNF/DUNE will design and construct one of the largest proposed neutrino experiments in the world over the next several years.

Day‑to‑Day Responsibilities

• Work one mile underground on a rotating shift schedule (12 hour days with 10 days on and 10 days off, rotating days to nights every two months) A shift differential is paid for second shift.
• Perform physical tasks at elevation using equipment such as scissor lifts.
• Fabricate, set up, operate, test, repair, and/or modify a variety of moderately complex to complex electrical, electronic, and/or mechanical equipment, systems, and devices based on technical documentation such as drawings, diagrams, and schematics.
• Act as a point person for technical issues in the assigned area, assisting with construction, assembly, and preparation of experimental and support equipment for operation using appropriate diagnostic tools or software.
• Write, update, and test procedures and documentation for all finished work; enter relevant information into logs or databases and produce reports as assigned.
• Troubleshoot and conduct repairs on instruments and equipment; provide ongoing maintenance and technical support.
• Conduct periodic safety inspections and hazard analyses of the assigned area, supporting safe work practices in all activities.
• Perform ES&H duties such as environmental surveys, waste disposal, radiological surveys, and packaging hazardous or radioactive waste for shipment.
• Respond to operational needs and emergency requirements, including off‑hours and call‑ins as necessary.
• Procure and maintain inventories of parts, tools, materials, and equipment, including requisitions.
• Assist with the design, development, and implementation of equipment and systems related to LBNF/DUNE project tasks, contributing to continuous improvement and quality outcomes.
• Provide guidance to less experienced technicians or contractors and may serve as a shift supervisor for specific projects or tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Abide by and be responsible for performing all duties in accordance with environmental, health, and safety regulations and Fermilab policies, procedures, and practices.

Skills and Attributes for Success

• HS diploma (or technical certificate or equivalent) with 5+ years of extensive related experience, or 3+ years of experience at a DOE laboratory or in a technical skill critical to the Lab’s mission (e.g., cryogenics, RF, radiation protection, clean room, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience and advanced knowledge in the assigned technical area.
• Comprehensive knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and/or ES&H technology concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to work on complex projects and assignments independently and collaboratively.
• Capable of operating and maintaining a variety of material handling and lift equipment (e.g., forklifts, hoists, scissor lifts).
• Ability to work underground and at heights, with successful completion of related safety training.
• May be required to legally operate a government vehicle.

Work Arrangement

Onsite – This role is based full‑time at the LBNF‑DUNE site in Lead, South Dakota.

Benefits/Perks

Fermilab offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid time off
• Life insurance
• Short and Long‑term disability insurance
• Retirement benefits

Why Fermilab

Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.

Pre‑Employment Screening

Drug‑Free Workplace & Pre‑Employment Screening: Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive and drug‑free environment. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

HSPD‑12: In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD‑12) new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD‑12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a federal background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Foreign Government Sponsored Activities: Fermilab 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. Such individuals will be asked to disclose any participation for review by Fermilab’s Office of General Counsel.

REAL‑ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus: Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL‑ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf. If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

Additional Information

Fermilab is the United States' premier particle physics laboratory. We work on the world's largest and most advanced particle accelerators and dig down to the tiniest building blocks of matter. We probe the farthest reaches of the universe, seeking out the nature of dark matter and dark energy. Fermilab's over 2,000 employees include scientists and engineers from all around the world and collaborators from more than 50 countries on physics experiments based in the United States and elsewhere. Our work experience is the combination of everything that's unique about us: our culture, our core values, our company meetings, our commitment to sustainability, our recognition programs, but most importantly, our people. To learn more about Fermilab's employee programs, visit our main Careers site.

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