Nuclear Safeguards Research Technologist (Research Technologist 1/2)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 87,800 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Paid parental leave

401(k) with 6% matching

Flexible schedules

Onsite gyms and wellness programs

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is hiring a Research Technologist to support critical work in nuclear safeguards. The role involves hands-on technical work with nuclear materials and radiation detection systems, ensuring compliance with safety requirements and contributing to national security programs.

The position presents opportunities for technical leadership, mentoring, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Ideal candidates should have relevant experience and a commitment to safety. Salary ranges from $87,800 to $158,000 depending on the level.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of scientific principles, experimental methods, and data collection techniques.
• Ability to work safely and effectively in laboratory, radiological, and nuclear environments.
• Demonstrated ability to follow technical procedures and execute work with attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary technical team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated experience working with nuclear materials, radiological sources, or controlled laboratory environments.
• Ability to independently resolve technical problems of moderate complexity.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and project coordination experience.
• Experience mentoring, training, or supervising technical personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to technical planning and project execution.

Responsibilities

• Support laboratory, facility, and field activities involving nuclear materials.
• Operate and maintain measurement systems.
• Collect and analyze data, preparing technical documentation.
• Ensure work is conducted safely and in compliance with regulations.

Job description

What You Will Do

The Safeguards Science and Technology Group (NEN-1) at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated technologist to support mission‑critical work in nuclear safeguards, nonproliferation, and national security. NEN-1 develops and deploys technologies used to measure, characterize, and safeguard nuclear materials in support of domestic and international missions. This position provides a unique opportunity to work directly with special nuclear material, radiation detection systems, and advanced measurement technologies while contributing to some of the Laboratory’s most visible national security programs.

Responsibilities

The selected candidate will support laboratory, facility, and field activities involving nuclear materials, radiological sources, and radiation detection instrumentation. Responsibilities include supporting experiments, operating and maintaining measurement systems, collecting and analyzing data, preparing technical documentation, and ensuring work is conducted safely and in compliance with all applicable nuclear, radiological, and security requirements.

Position Levels and Pay

Research Technologist 1 – $87,800 – $143,000

• Perform hands‑on technical work involving special nuclear material (SNM), radioactive sources, and radiation detection instrumentation.
• Support operations within Material Balance Areas (MBAs) and other controlled nuclear and radiological environments.
• Assist in the setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of experimental systems and measurement equipment.
• Collect, analyze, and document data supporting safeguards, measurement, and engineering applications.
• Contribute to the development and execution of experimental plans and research activities.
• Develop and implement procedures and specifications supporting technical work and project execution.
• Prepare technical reports, documentation, and presentations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and technologists.
• Ensure compliance with radiological protection, material control and accountability (MC&A), and nuclear criticality safety requirements.

Research Technologist 2 – $96,600 – $158,000

• Assume all responsibilities listed above.
• Provide technical leadership for assigned tasks and project activities.
• Mentor junior staff, technicians, technologists, students, and postdoctoral researchers.
• Develop technical specifications and implementation plans for project activities.
• Coordinate portions of projects and ensure deliverables meet quality and schedule requirements.
• Contribute to proposal development and strategic planning activities.
• Co‑author technical publications and reports.
• Provide technical review and peer review of documentation and work products.
• Serve as a technical resource for nuclear material handling and safeguards measurement activities.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of scientific principles, experimental methods, and data collection techniques.
• Ability to work safely and effectively in laboratory, radiological, and nuclear environments.
• Demonstrated ability to follow technical procedures and execute work with attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary technical team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, security, and regulatory compliance.

Additional Job Requirements for Research Technologist 2

• Demonstrated experience working with nuclear materials, radiological sources, or controlled laboratory environments.
• Ability to independently resolve technical problems of moderate complexity.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and project coordination experience.
• Experience mentoring, training, or supervising technical personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to technical planning and project execution.

Training / Certifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain required radiological, nuclear material handling, and facility qualifications.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q Clearance.

Education / Experience

Research Technologist 1: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and two years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Research Technologist 2: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and five years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience handling special nuclear material (SNM), sealed radioactive sources, or radiological materials.
• Familiarity with:
• Material Control and Accountability (MC&A)
• Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS)
• DOE/NNSA regulations and standards
• Experience working in:
• Glovebox environments
• High‑bay facilities
• Experimental laboratory settings
• Experience with radiation detection instrumentation and measurement systems.
• Strong technical writing and documentation experience.
• Active DOE Q Clearance.

Note to Applicants

• Nuclear or radiological material handling
• Experimental or operational technical work
• Work performed in regulated or controlled environments
• Radiation detection systems and instrumentation

Work Environment / Location

Work is onsite, located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. The position commitment for this position is one year.

Citizenship restrictions: Citizens of the People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation who are not lawful permanent residents are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission.

Benefits

• Health insurance (PPO or high‑deductible plans)
• Dental and vision insurance
• Basic life and disability insurance
• Paid parental leave
• 401(k) with 6% matching and 3.5% annual contribution
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and paid time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50‑mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 – Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. This requirement applies only to U.S. citizens.

Clearance

Position will be cleared to Q level. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. This position requires Q clearance and US citizenship, except in very limited circumstances.

New‑Employment Drug Test

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new‑employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre‑offer.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call (505)‑664‑6947.