Senior/Principal Electromechanical Technologosit - Applied Science and Technology Maturation, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 75,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options (9/80, 4/10)

Relocation assistance

Generous vacation

Competitive 401k

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM is seeking professionals to operate and maintain neutron generator test environments. You will design, assemble, and repair components to enable high‑voltage neutron testing, while safely handling related equipment and materials on site.

You will coordinate with facilities and purchasing to ensure smooth laboratory operations, maintain detailed logs, and keep instrumentation calibrated.

Qualifications

• Associates degree or 4 years of relevant experience.
• Willingness to work with high‑voltage equipment and radioactive materials.
• Maintain detailed logbooks and document work procedures.
• Experience using test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, DVM, DMM, function generators, power supplies).
• Experience assembling, testing, and troubleshooting electronic circuitry.
• Experience with basic hand and power tools.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-Level security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design, assemble, or repair experimental components to study neutron generators.
• Test neutron generators using high‑voltage testers and capture waveforms with oscilloscopes/LabVIEW.
• Modify circuits and LabVIEW control variables to meet test needs.
• Perform routine maintenance, calibration, and repair of testers and equipment.
• Create security plans and documentation for equipment used in classified and unclassified work.
• Work onsite and coordinate with facilities and purchasing for lab operations.

Skills

High voltage safety

Lab equipment operation

Data logging

Team collaboration

Neutron generator testing

Education

Associates degree in mechanical/electrical tech or related field

Tools

Oscilloscopes

LabVIEW

DVM/DMM

Function generators

Power supplies

Soldering

Job description

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Sandia

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting‑edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co‑workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten‑hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part‑time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World‑changing technologies. Life‑changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like

Within our team, you will work in a fast‑paced environment with the primary purpose to enable experiments that examine the operation of Neutron Generators (NGs). You will perform tests using pulsed high‑voltage testers to measure neutron, x‑ray, current, and voltage waveforms to diagnose neuron generators.Most problem solving and next generation neutron generator development will begin and end with you!You will be called upon to work collaboratively with other technologists and staff members in the team to serve as a resource, further the technological capabilities in the department and push the boundaries of neutron generators. You will be responsible for safely and securely operating equipment in a laboratory setting. You will bring your awareness of the ES&H and security policies and principles to all operations which will be carried out in laboratories that are in Vault Type Rooms.

In performing these activities, you will also be called upon to work with the team members from sister departments in the NG Design Agency and NG Production Agency to ensure that the goals of the enterprise are met. This will involve coordinating with facilities personnel to ensure smooth operations of the laboratories. You will work closely with purchasing agencies to procure hardware needed for the laboratories, in conformance with lab policies and guidelines.

On any given day you may be called upon to:

• Design, assemble, or repair experimental components to safely study and understand neutron generators
• Test neutron generators on one of our high voltage testers. The tests usually include capturing neutron, x‑ray, current, and voltage waveforms via oscilloscopes and LabVIEW control software.
• Modify circuits, repurpose HV components, and modify LabVIEW control variables to meet the stimulus needs for one‑off tests.
• Perform and coordinate routine maintenance, calibration, and repair of the testers and associated equipment, which may include soldering, crane operation, and light power tools.
• Create security plans, pressure safety data packages, move requests for classified and radioactive material, and other documentation for equipment used for classified and unclassified work.

Due to the nature of work, successful candidate must be able to work onsite.

Salary Range

$74,700 - $144,400

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

Qualifications We Require

• Associates degree in mechanical, electrical/electronic technologies, engineering, or 4 years of relevant experience.
• Willingness and ability to work with high‑voltage equipment and radioactive materials and sources.
• Ability to maintain detailed logbooks, document work procedures, and record data via word processor and spreadsheet applications.
• Experience using general test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, DVM, DMM, function generators, power supplies).
• Experience assembling, testing, and troubleshooting electronic circuitry.
• Experience with basic hand and power tools.
• Ability to work on elevated work surfaces.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-Level security clearance.

Qualifications We Desire

• Basic understanding of pulsed high‑voltage operations and safety.
• Proven ability to develop data acquisition and control software using LabVIEW, MATLAB, or Python.
• Experience with electrical design.
• Proven experience working in a research laboratory environment
• Experience with the design, fabrication and maintenance of UHV vacuum systems
• Experience developing schematic diagrams and PCB layouts in Altium Designer or equivalent.
• Experience with basic mechanical design and proficiency in SolidWorks or Creo Parametric
• Proficiency or certifications in basic and surface mount soldering techniques
• Demonstrated organizational skills, including the ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high‑pressure environment.
• Experience with lab ownership.
• A familiarity with Sandia's safety & security culture and with writing safety/security plans.
• Active DOE Q-Level security clearance.

About Our Team

The mission of the Neutron Generator Applied Science and Technology Maturation Department is to conduct focused research towards the discovery, integration, and protection of the scientific knowledge behind the design, production, and sustainability of neutron generators. Our work uses computational modeling, materials science, chemistry, plasma science, high voltage & arc physics, advanced manufacturing methods, and neutron testing to support manufacturing and design. Along with our internal expertise, we also collaborate with a variety of internal organizations and external institutions to accomplish our goals. We apply this knowledge in creative and innovative ways for understanding the health of the existing stockpile, to design for the future, and to support national security. Research Areas within the Department include: properties of materials containing tritium, thin film structure of rare earth and transition metals/materials, surface and interface properties, gas‑solid interaction, hydride formation and hydride thin film properties, encapsulation and mold release processes, plasma physics and modeling, and additive manufacturing investigations of metals and ceramics.

Posting Duration

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre‑employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

EEO

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug‑releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on‑site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Essential Functions

If offered the position, you may be required to demonstrate your fitness to perform certain physical aspects of the position, including lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.