Research Technologist 1/2

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 85,900 - 139,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or High Deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Paid parental leave

401(k) with matching contributions

Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

Flexible schedules and time off

Onsite gyms and wellness programs

Extensive relocation packages

Job summary

A federal research institution in Los Alamos is seeking a highly motivated Additive Coating Technologist 1/2 to optimize thermal spray coatings for various materials. This role involves programming robots and collaborating with a team on innovative manufacturing methods. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree, relevant robotics experience, and strong documentation skills. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in a dynamic environment, supporting national security objectives.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in robotics.
• Experience maintaining laboratory space and tracking lab supplies.
• Provide training to new lab personnel.
• Fluent in common software packages like Microsoft Excel.
• Experience in written documentation related to lab procedures.

Responsibilities

• Optimize thermal spray coatings for various applications.
• Contribute to the development of new manufacturing techniques.
• Work with internal and external collaborators in research programs.
• Participate in team efforts on multiple manufacturing solutions.

Skills

Robotics programming

Laboratory maintenance

Team collaboration

Process documentation

Proficiency in software packages

Thermal spray coatings knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a related field

Job description

What You Will Do

The Sigma Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a highly motivated individual for the position of Additive Coating Technologist 1/2 with a focus on optimizing thermal spray coatings for a wide variety of materials and applications. This work involves programming and operation of robots. The selected candidate will work with a team to creatively apply their additive, coating, or robotic experience to a growing number of research programs, supporting production operations at NNSA sites, develop process solutions to spray coating challenges, and assist in maturing thermal spray processes within the nuclear weapons complex. In this role you will directly interface with a variety of internal and external collaborators, including universities, private industry, and other government laboratories.

This position resides on Sigma-2's Additive Manufacturing Team which oversees a wide variety of solutions to meet research and customer requirements, including: metal spray coatings, laser powder bed fusion, electron beam additive manufacturing, ceramic additive manufacturing, and associated processing. Team members often work in multiple disciplines and have the opportunity to learn new methods, as well as develop new techniques. Team research centers on many areas, including weapons, defense, aerospace, global security, nuclear energy, accelerator physics, fuel production methods, repair technologies, sensors, and more.

If you are passionate about pushing the boundaries of additive manufacturing and have the technical expertise to make a real impact, we encourage you to apply. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, innovative team and contribute to the development of cutting‑edge manufacturing solutions.

What You Need

Research Technologist 1 ($85,900-$139,900)

The successful level 1 candidate will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Demonstrated experience in robotics (programming or operation).
• Experience maintaining laboratory space, organization, routine maintenance, calibration of laboratory instruments and equipment, tracking and maintaining lab supplies.
• Provide training to new lab personnel on equipment use, safety protocols, and lab procedures.
• Demonstrated expertise in working independently and within a team environment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in meeting scheduled deliverables or milestones.
• Fluent in common software packages (Microsoft, Excel, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience in written documentation in the form of process documentation, procedures, or safety documentation.

Research Technologist 2 ($94,500-$154,600)

The successful level 2 candidate will perform the following additional duties and responsibilities:

• Demonstrate familiarity with thermal spray coating technology.
• Demonstrated extensive expertise in robotics (programming or operation).
• Demonstrated expertise in written documentation in the form of process documentation, procedures, or safety documentation.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of ideas with minimal supervision to optimize capability maintenance and growth in technology areas.
• Familiar with mechanical and electrical systems of industrial equipment related to machining and additive manufacturing areas.
• Demonstrated mentoring and leadership capabilities.

Research Technologist 1 Education/Experience Requirement:

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

Research Technologist 2 Education/Experience Requirement:

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 5 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience developing and implementing process monitoring equipment and procedures.
• Experience troubleshooting and repairing any malfunctioning equipment.
• Experience preparing procedures, reports, papers, presentations, or other scientific publications.
• Experience developing or contributing to novel ideas written into proposals or presented to both internal and external customers.
• Experience working in a radiological or nuclear facility.
• Active or recent Q‑clearance.

Work Location:

The work location for this position is onsite 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 1 year.

Note to Applicants:

Please send the following:

• A cover letter addressing how you meet the required and desired skills.
• A current C.V. or resume with the minimum following information: Educational background, work experience, relevant technical skills, relevant extracurricular activities, professional references and work areas of interest.

Only complete applications with a cover letter and C.V./resume will be considered. References will not be contacted without permission from the applicant.

Where You Will Work

Sigma Division focuses on materials science and engineering, emphasizing metallurgical processes and research in support of the experimental testing program at Los Alamos. The Division is a service oriented capability that supports a broad customer base, both internal and external to LANL, with high quality one of a kind prototype components. The work ranges from unclassified to TS/SCI level security and covers all materials from hydrogen to uranium on the periodic chart.

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. Our generous benefits package includes:

• 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). 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 a Q clearance and obtaining such clearance requires U.S. Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*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.

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.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

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.