Research Tec 1

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or HD medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Paid parental leave

401(k) with matching

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules and PTO

Onsite gyms and wellness programs

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Northern New Mexico is seeking a Research Technician 1 to join the Plutonium Center of Excellence within the PSD Division. This on-site role supports plutonium processing in glove box environments and requires strict adherence to safety, security, and DOE/NNSA procedures.

Responsibilities include glove box operations, metal and mechanical tasks, equipment maintenance, data capture, and teamwork under supervision.

Qualifications

• Active Q clearance is required.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to follow detailed procedures and safety rules.
• Willingness to work in glove box environments with hazardous materials.

Responsibilities

• Perform glove box operations and manufacturing tasks in plutonium processing.
• Operate and maintain equipment, follow procedures, and document results.
• Work with radioactive and hazardous materials under supervision.
• Adhere to safety, security, and regulatory requirements; participate in HRP.
• Record procedures, parameters, and data; support team objectives.

Skills

Q clearance

Glove box ops

Radiological safety

Teamwork

Microsoft Office

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

What You Will Do

Come join one of the many teams within Plutonium Supply and Disposition (PSD) Division, where you will be working at the Plutonium Center of Excellence located in Northern New Mexico at Los Alamos National Laboratory! PSD is a division with the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP)/Nuclear Production Operations (NPO) directorship. We are confident that you will find the PSD Division a dynamic and rewarding place to work. The PSD Division provides plutonium pit related products and services of superior quality and value to protect our nation.

You will work in a team environment within LANL's nuclear facility to manufacture product, support material movement and support glove box operations. The majority of daily work is 'hands-on' glove box work in support of plutonium processing. Processes at Los Alamos National Lab are performed using detailed operating procedures and work requires extensive knowledge and expertise following Conduct of Operations, nuclear criticality safety, material control and accountability, radiological safety, and environmental compliance requirements. Work will be related to national security objectives, requiring the individual to hold a Department of Energy (DOE) Q security clearance and participation in the Human Reliability Program (HRP).

Research Tec 1 will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Perform several tasks that could include manufacturing operations in the areas of plutonium processing, metal processing, casting, vacuum equipment operations, welding, mechanical assembly, leak testing, equipment troubleshooting, and equipment maintenance. You will use a variety of bench-top equipment and ensure all work, materials, processes, and final product meet quality specifications and are completed according to established requirements.
• Working with radioactive and hazardous materials will also be an integral part of your job. You will follow detailed operating procedures and integrated work documents.
• Maintain required safety and security training and assure compliance; make safety and security an integral part of every task. Take steps to stop work if unsafe conditions exist or security is comprised.
• Complete necessary training to perform all tasks safely.
• Understand and adhere to all Laboratory and industry regulatory guidance and governance specific to experimental activities.
• Remain on track to gain sufficient experience so that all work, materials, processes, and final product can meet quality specifications and can be completed according to established requirements.
• Promote a mutually respectful work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.
• Assignment may include exposure to a broad scope in multiple areas; but limited technical depth.
• Conduct technical work in the laboratory space or work area, as instructed and overseen by supervisor. Record procedures, equipment, parameters used in technical work, capture findings and data.
• Remain on track to learn how to analyze findings and data, develop preliminary interpretation of results, summarize outcomes, and plan next stages of technical work. Work primarily with supervisor in the conduct of the technical work.
• Perform entry level work as a technician. Assignments are characterized by specific and detailed instructions for routine or semi-routine tasks, within established priorities, procedures, processes, requirements, or specifications. Work is reviewed for soundness of judgement, overall adequacy, and accuracy. Work is performed under supervision.
• TA-55 specific duties include providing support on actinide materials i.e., plutonium (Pu) in a Pu facility. Most work occurs inside engineering safety glove boxes.

Shiftwork

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Ability to learn to work to technical objective of assignments.
• Basic experience utilizing equipment and tools.
• Ability to work effectively, conscientiously, and professionally in a high-performance team environment that exhibits collaborative behavior.
• Basic knowledge and implementation of required safety practices for work assignments.
• Microsoft Office proficiency (Word/Excel/PowerPoint).
• Active Q clearance

Education/Experience: Position requires a high school diploma or equivalent.

DOE Order 426.2A: Requires a high school diploma.

Desired Qualifications:

• Basic knowledge in one or more of the following: vacuum equipment operation, pressure system operation, welding, mechanical assembly, leak testing, equipment troubleshooting or equipment maintenance.
• Test and design, such as reading drawings and schematics; using digital test equipment; data analysis; electromagnetic shielding; non-destructive assay techniques; high-speed data acquisition systems and software; ultrafast timing techniques

Work Location

The work location for this position is on site and 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. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 2 years.

Work Schedule:

This position may require 24/7 coverage, which may require working a shift/weekend schedule. Employees may be eligible for shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift/weekend assignments are at the discretion of the manager.

Note to Applicants:

• Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security.

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and 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. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance:

Q (Position will be cleared to this level). The selected applicants will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matters. This position requires a Q clearance which requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon position, additional authorization to access nuclear weapons information may be required that may or may not be available to dual citizens depending upon the circumstances.

*Eligibility requirements:

To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

HRP:

This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, §712.11. These requirements include ongoing drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

426.2a:

This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2a, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

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. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position:

Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

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 applicable 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 accommodation, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request a disability accommodation, email [e-mail] or call [phone], opt. 3.