Senior/Principal Microelectronics Equipment Technologist - Advanced Thin Films & Processing, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 74,700 - 144,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Relocation assistance

Generous vacation

401k

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, is seeking a hands-on Maintenance Technologist for the Advanced Thin Films & Processing Department. You will sustain and improve vacuum-based thin film deposition tools used for national security mission needs, collaborating with scientists and engineers in a fast-paced lab setting.

You will troubleshoot, service, and upgrade PVD, CVD, ALD, and related equipment, maintain safety records, and support onsite operations.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in Electromechanical, Engineering Technology, or related field or High School diploma plus 3 or more years directly related experience
• Significant experience maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting vacuum systems used in laboratory, industrial, or research environments
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and ability to independently perform hands-on maintenance, diagnosis, and repair of complex technical equipment

Responsibilities

• Support the safe operation, maintenance, and repair of thin film deposition and vacuum systems used in research, development, prototyping, and production environments
• Troubleshoot, service, operate, and maintain vacuum systems and associated hardware for PVD, CVD, ALD, and other thin film deposition tools
• Prepare safety documentation related to pressure safety and lock out/tag out
• Diagnose equipment issues and perform corrective maintenance to improve system reliability and uptime
• Develop custom upgrades on existing equipment
• Perform hands-on technical work requiring mechanical skills, basic machining or fabrication, and practical electrical troubleshooting
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, technologists, and other staff to support laboratory operations and mission needs
• Oversee equipment support contracts and vendor support personnel activities
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, communicate equipment status, and contribute to safe and orderly laboratory operations

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Maintenance experience

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Electrical troubleshooting

Education

Associate degree in Electromechanical/Engineering Technology

High School diploma + 3+ years related experience

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

Job Information

Job ID: 698421

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

Do you enjoy hands‑on troubleshooting and maintenance of microelectronics deposition equipment? If so, you would be perfect for you to join the Advanced Thin Films and Processing department. Our team develops custom thin films and coatings to support a variety of national security needs. If selected for this role, you will become an integral part of the thin films team by sustaining and improving thin film deposition vacuum tools that are used to support national security mission needs. We are looking for a hands‑on maintenance technologist with strong mechanical aptitude and significant experience supporting, maintaining, and repairing vacuum-based thin film deposition systems used for research, prototyping, and production activities.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Support the safe operation, maintenance, and repair of thin film deposition and vacuum systems used in research, development, prototyping, and production environments.
• Troubleshoot, service, operate, and maintain vacuum systems and associated hardware for PVD, CVD, ALD, and other thin film deposition tools.
• Prepare safety documentation related to pressure safety and lock out/tag out.
• Diagnose equipment issues and perform corrective maintenance to improve system reliability and uptime.
• Develop custom upgrades on existing equipment
• Perform hands‑on technical work requiring mechanical skills, basic machining or fabrication, and practical electrical troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, technologists, and other staff to support laboratory operations and mission needs.
• Oversee equipment support contracts and vendor support personnel activities.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, communicate equipment status, and contribute to safe and orderly laboratory operations.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected 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 Electromechanical, Engineering Technology, or related field or High School diploma plus 3 or more years directly related experience
• Significant experience maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting vacuum systems used in laboratory, industrial, or research environments
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and the ability to independently perform hands‑on maintenance, diagnosis, and repair of complex technical equipment
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to safe tool operation and laboratory practices
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance

Qualifications We Desire

• Bachelor's degree in Electromechanical, Engineering Technology, or related field
• Knowledge of physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, and/or atomic layer deposition.
• Experience with turbomolecular pumps, cryogenic pumps, roughing pumps, gas delivery systems, and other vacuum system components
• Knowledge of piping, plumbing, gas handling, and utility systems associated with vacuum and deposition equipment
• Basic machining skills
• Practical electrical experience, including troubleshooting electrical components, PLC controls, and/or other vacuum system instrumentation
• Experience with technical documentation, maintenance records, and written communication
• Good interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
• Experience with CAD tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar software
• Demonstrated technical problem‑solving skills and a proactive approach to equipment reliability and operational support

About Our Team

The Advanced Thin Films & Processing Department provides scientific and engineering expertise in thin films and surface modification to support SNLs national security mission. Our work focuses on tailoring surface chemistry and material properties to enable advanced applications and address complex technical challenges. The department maintains broad capabilities in thin‑film deposition and characterization, including sputter deposition, electron beam evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, and atomic layer deposition. Our team also leverages specialized processing and analysis tools to develop, prepare, and evaluate novel thin films and coatings.

We are committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment that values a broad range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. Through an inclusive culture, we aim to build a strong community where employees can grow professionally while contributing to meaningful national security work.

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 untrustworthy 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.