Sigma-1 Materials Processing and Compatibility Research Technologist 1/2

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan

Relocation Assistance

Tuition Assistance

PTO & Holidays

Onsite Gym

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a Research Technologist to work in a collaborative team focused on developing and operating advanced materials and systems. You will design and test vacuum and pressure equipment, process polymers, and analyze results for critical experiments.

Responsibilities include CAD-driven fixture design, interaction with technicians, and communicating findings in reports. The role requires a Bachelor's degree and experience with analytical instrumentation, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and two years related experience for Level 1; five years for Level 2.
• Experience with polymers, oxides, hydrides, or polymer composites.
• Experience with pressure systems, electrical systems, furnaces, vacuum systems.
• Willingness to learn and operate analytical instrumentation.
• Willingness to work with radioactive and other hazardous materials in a safety environment.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance and U.S. citizenship.
• Advanced experience in materials preparation and testing for Level 2.

Responsibilities

• Design, construction, testing, and operation of vacuum/pressure/gas/furnace systems.
• Prepare, process, analyze, and test polymers and polymer composites.
• Create engineering drawings using CAD and interface with machine shops.
• Apply scientific methods to troubleshoot equipment and analyze data.
• Collaborate with staff scientists and report results.

Skills

Polymers processing

Materials characterization

Data analysis

Mechanical design

Experimental methods

Written and oral communication

Data acquisition

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

CAD Software

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Origin

XRD / Electron Microscopy instrumentation

Job description

What You Will Do

The Sigma-1 Research Technologist will work in a highly collaborative team environment, interfacing routinely with Sigma Division staff and deployed personnel to complete program objectives. The role involves operating and designing pressure/vacuum/gas systems, mechanical design/CAD, machining, experimental control, data acquisition, analytical techniques, surface chemistry, and chemical kinetics. You will communicate results through oral and written reports to a diverse group of scientists, engineers, technicians, and technologists. Organization skill and teamwork are required.

Research Technologist 1 Responsibilities

• Design, construction, testing, and operation of vacuum/pressure/gas/furnace/hot-press systems and equipment.
• Preparation, processing, analysis and mechanical testing of polymers, plastics and polymer composite oxides.
• Design and assembly of fixtures and equipment; preparation of engineering drawings using CAD software; interfacing with machine shops.
• Apply scientific method to address technical problems, operate and troubleshoot commercial off‑the‑shelf and custom equipment, and analyze data from experiments.
• Interface directly with staff scientists for collaborative work and result communication.

Research Technologist 2 Responsibilities

• All responsibilities of Research Technologist 1.
• Periodically oversee technologists, technicians, and/or students.
• Analyze experimental data and perform tasks to maintain high‑quality experiments, data collection, and archiving.
• Develop and modify equipment design, experimental methods, and procedures to achieve prescribed experiment objectives.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Experience in polymers/oxides/hydrides/polymer composites preparation, processing, testing and analysis.
• Basic chemistry/chemical engineering/materials processing knowledge and skills.
• Experience with pressure systems/electrical systems/furnaces/hot‑presses/vacuum systems.
• Willingness to learn, maintain and operate commercial off‑the‑shelf and custom built analytical instrumentation.
• Motivated to be a self‑guided learner of new techniques under the supervision of more experienced personnel.
• Willingness to work with radioactive materials and other hazardous materials, chemicals and solvents in a rigorous safety environment.
• Ability to acquire a Q‑clearance, which typically requires U.S. citizenship.

Extra Requirements for Research Technologist 2

• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience in materials preparation, processing, and testing.
• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience with pressure systems/electrical systems/furnaces/thermal/hot‑presses/vacuum systems.
• Experience developing and modifying equipment design, experimental methods, and procedures to achieve prescribed experiment objectives.

Education / Experience

Research Technologist 1 requires a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution and two years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. Candidates meeting the degree requirement but not the experience requirement are encouraged to apply. Research Technologist 2 requires a Bachelor’s Degree and five years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Post‑graduate coursework may be desirable.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with materials characterization techniques (XRD, electron microscopy, pycnometry, etc.).
• Experience testing mechanical properties, compatibility and ageing phenomena.
• Experience operating and/or maintaining analytical instrumentation.
• Hands‑on experience with sample preparation, materials processing in glove box and data acquisition and analysis resulting in reports or published manuscripts.
• Written and oral communication skills, including experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience performing laboratory equipment or instrument specification, procurement, assembly, modification, maintenance, repair, and automation.
• Advanced experience with computer‑aided design (CAD), LabVIEW, MATLAB and Origin software.
• Demonstrated experience in operating and/or maintaining analytical instrumentation.

Essential Job Functions

Ability to apply torque with hands or arms, good hand‑eye coordination and fine motor control, ability to lift 25 pounds to a height of 3–4 feet and load into an enclosed space.

Work Location

Onsite in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position Commitment

Regular appointment employees must serve a period of continuous service in their current position to be eligible. The commitment for this position is one year.

Benefits

• PPO or high‑deductible medical insurance.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Free basic life and disability insurance.
• Paid childbirth and parental leave.
• Award‑winning 401(k) (6% match 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).

Clearances

Position requires a Q clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship except in very limited circumstances. Additional authorization to access classified information may be required.

Drug Testing

Successful applicants must complete a new‑employment drug test. Positive test for marijuana will result in termination of employment.

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 its workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process.