Senior/Principal R&D Laboratory Support Technologist - Applied Science & Technology Maturation, Onsite

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

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM seeks a motivated R&D Laboratory Support Technologist to join a multidisciplinary team advancing polymer materials research. You will apply thermal and mechanical analysis to characterize properties, establish curing cycles, and support materials development in collaboration with scientists.

The role emphasizes hands-on laboratory work, meticulous documentation, and occasional presentations at internal meetings.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in a chemistry/materials field or related area.
• Experience working in a laboratory environment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Establish curing cycles for polymer composites and formulated epoxies.
• Collaborate with staff to plan, design, set-up, and perform materials characterization.
• Organize and prioritize samples.
• Characterization techniques including thermal analysis, DSC, DMA, FTIR, mechanical testing.
• Document results in a lab notebook, write manuscripts for external publications, present at conferences.
• Basic lab and equipment maintenance and safety paperwork.

Skills

Lab experience

Clearance eligibility

Education

Associates Degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, polymer science, or similar field.

Job description

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

We are seeking a R&D Laboratory Support Technologist to join our dynamic team.

In this position you will work with staff members and technologists using a range of techniques to characterize key properties of polymeric materials. The applicant should have a background in thermal and mechanical analysis of materials.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Establishing curing cycles for polymer composites and formulated epoxies
• Collaborate with staff members to plan, design, set-up, and perform materials characterization
• Organize and prioritize samples
• Material characterization techniques such as: thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) testing, FTIR spectroscopy, mechanical testing, etc.
• Documenting results in a laboratory notebook, writing manuscripts for peer-reviewed external publications, and presenting work at conferences.
• Basic lab and equipment maintenance and safety paperwork

This position will require working with organizations across SNL as well as working with technologists in the group. You'll be encouraged to work both in groups and independently to solve research and development problems. You will have the opportunity to take leadership responsibilities with respect to working with customers, reporting results (both written and oral), and participating in program meetings.

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 chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, polymer science, or similar field.
• Experience working in a laboratory environment
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Security Clearance

Qualifications We Desire

• Bachelor's Degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, polymer science, or similar field.
• Dedication to laboratory safety
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment while independently finding solutions to complex problems.
• A dedication to producing high-quality results using good laboratory techniques and focused attention to detail
• Ability to maintain detailed laboratory notebook
• Solid communication and interpersonal skills for explaining the important aspects of technical work to coworkers and customers
• Motivated, organized, and able to work independently under the mentorship of a PhD scientist
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn skills and work in a fast-paced laboratory
• Active DOE 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.