Senior/Principal R&D Laboratory Support Technologist - Experimental Solid Mechanics, Onsite (opens in new tab)

NCSL International; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 75,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Relocation assistance

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM seeks a Laboratory Support Technologist in the Experimental Solid Mechanics Department to perform mechanical testing and analysis in a cutting-edge research environment.

You will set up test equipment, analyze data with MATLAB/Python, maintain calibration, coordinate with engineers, and ensure safe, compliant operations while supporting multiple priority projects.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent plus three (3) years relevant experience in the field of mechanics of materials, components, or systems.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Excel, Matlab and/or Python for calculations and data analysis.
• Experience with Chemical Inventory System (CIS) and/or waste management.
• Hands-on experience in the development/maintaining/servicing/repair of complex systems (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pressure, and/or vacuum).
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.

Responsibilities

• Perform experimental mechanics testing on quasi-static or high-strain-rate load frames with advanced diagnostic techniques to characterize materials and structures.
• Set-up, program, and troubleshoot test equipment.
• Support lab maintenance and calibration activities.
• Organize test data and prepare test documentation.
• Support research activities in mechanical characterization of materials and related areas.
• Flexibility in addressing competing priorities and pivot based on program needs.
• Rigorous implementation of work planning and control processes to assure safe, secure, and high-quality operations.
• Work closely with engineers and other technologists in the lab to design, execute, analyze and communicate results to our customers.

Skills

Data analysis

Independent working

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Matlab

Python

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

Join a diverse team that helps tackle some of the most challenging issues facing our nation's security! We are seeking a highly motivated Laboratory Support Technologist to join our dynamic team in the Experimental Solid Mechanics Department!

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

• Perform experimental mechanics testing on quasi-static or high-strain-rate load frames with advanced diagnostic techniques to characterize materials and structures
• Set-up, program, and troubleshoot test equipment
• Support lab maintenance and calibration activities
• Organize test data and prepare test documentation
• Support research activities in the following areas: mechanical characterization of materials in normal and abnormal environments, mechanics of structural materials and components (including metals and foams), thermomechanical coupling, experimental data generation to support material model development, failure and fracture, and advanced experimental methods/diagnostic technique development
• Flexibility in addressing competing priorities and able to pivot based on program needs
• Rigorous implementation of work planning and control processes to assure safe, secure, and high-quality operations
• Work closely with engineers and other technologists in the lab to design, execute, analyze and communicate results to our customers

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

• High school diploma or equivalent plus three (3) years relevant experience in the field of mechanics of materials, components, or systems
• Demonstrated proficiency using Excel, Matlab and/or Python for calculations and data analysis
• Experience with Chemical Inventory System (CIS) and/or waste management
• Hands-on experience in the development/maintaining/servicing/repair of complex systems (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pressure, and/or vacuum)
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Ability obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance

Qualifications We Desire

• Perform experimental mechanics testing on quasi-static or high-strain-rate load frames with advanced diagnostic techniques to characterize materials and structures
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or four-year technology degree
• Experience with mechanical testing equipment, strain gauges, extensometers, load cells, accelerometers, oscilloscopes
• Experience using advanced engineering software, such as LabView and Solidworks
• Knowledge for calibration practices and SNL PSL procedures
• Experience with SNL procurement process
• Hands-on experience in fixture modification and setup
• Experience and ability to troubleshoot on a variety of mechanical test frames and data acquisition systems
• Experience with advanced optical methods including digital image correlation (DIC), infrared thermography (IR), or other optical metrology
• Experience with ES&H documentation processes and familiarity with Work Planning & Controls processes
• Ability to learn to program and operate mechanical load frames.
• Current/active DOE Q clearance

About Our Team

The Experimental Solid Mechanics Department 1528 is part of the Engineering Sciences Center at Sandia National Laboratories. Our center is the steward of engineering mechanics for Sandia and we are dedicated to solving our customer's most pressing and important national security problems. Our department specializes in experimental technologies related to structural and impact mechanics and mechanics of materials. With our state of the art experimental technologies, technical expertise, and analytical capabilities in building 860, we provide integrated customer solutions in the following areas: mechanical characterization of materials, components, and structures in normal or abnormal environments; development and application of state-of-the-art experimental and diagnostic techniques for scientific and mission impacts; and integration of analytical, computational, and experimental efforts for engineering solutions to national security problems. Our mission is to use the research-development-application (R-D-A) spectrum for physical discovery, model development and validation, and qualification and acceptance for nuclear weapons, defense, energy, and other applications.

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.