Technician III - Chemical Engineering

National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Colorado; On-site; USD 58,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Pension benefits

403(b) employer match

Sick leave

Job summary

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado is seeking a full-time Research Technician III to support catalysis, synthesis, and separation labs. You will assist day-to-day research activities across DOE projects, ensuring safety and quality in a fast-paced environment.

The role emphasizes hands-on operation, data collection, and collaboration with multiple offices to advance energy research initiatives. Strong organizational and teamwork skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• Experience with lab safety, data collection, and accurate record keeping.
• Proficient in communication and project management within a research setting.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair bench-scale high-pressure reactor systems and related equipment.
• Produce, process, and analyze samples for research projects.
• Modify, fabricate, assemble, and install equipment for experiments.
• Conduct wet chemistry experiments and document procedures.
• Update safety docs, SOPs, and equipment logs; manage change docs.
• Onboard new equipment, coordinate with EH&S and ops teams.

Skills

Safety culture

Troubleshooting

Lab documentation

Data analysis

Teamwork & communication

Self-motivation

Adaptability

Education

High School Diploma + 4+ yrs exp

Associate's Degree / cert program + 2+ yrs exp

Tools

Basic installation tools

Job description

Posting Title

Technician III - Chemical Engineering . Location CO - Golden . Position Type Limited Term (Fixed Term) . Hours Per Week 40 . Working at NLR NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth. At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description

The BEST directorate is seeking a full-time Research Technician to support research across multiple projects and multiple offices, including DOE and DOW projects. The successful candidate will assist in the day-to-day research and development activities in catalysis, synthesis, and separation laboratories. This is a fast-paced, dynamic, and growing research environment, with passionate, mission-driven, and diverse team members. Adaptability and an aptitude for learning are critical in this role. Our team brings together a wide range of technical expertise and experience, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of advancing understanding at the intersection of fundamental science and industrial application. The primary goal of this position is to provide researchers within our group the support necessary to safely achieve their cutting-edge research. The Research Technician (Operate) will support research through a variety of activities including but not limited to:

• Operation, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of bench-scale high-pressure reactor systems and other equipment related to chemistry and process science research
• Sample production, processing, and analysis
• Modification, fabrication/assembly, and installation of research equipment for unique experiments
• Wet chemistry experimentation
• Writing/updating safety documentation, including operating procedures, equipment logs, technical drawings, management of change documentation
• On-boarding new equipment through design, procurement, safety assessments, and commissioning
• Assisting with maximizing lab space by working with Environmental Health and Safety, Research Operations, and other key functional teams
• Advancing safe laboratory practices through daily research activities
• Assisting with monthly and quarterly reporting requirements for funding agencies
• Presenting results in a concise, organized, and meaningful way

Basic Qualifications

High School Diploma or equivalent and 4 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Associate's Degree or certification program of comparable scope and 2 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Full knowledge of specialized focused support functions. Complete acquaintance with and understanding of the general and detailed aspects of the supported activities, and their practical applications to problems and situations ordinarily encountered. Proficient in research techniques and practices. Solid communication, interpersonal, project management and customer relations skills. * Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Be well organized and focus on attention to detail, exemplified by detailed lab notes, accurate data collection and thorough analysis
• Have strong multi-tasking and time management skills
• Experience working with basic installation tools (e.g. wrenches, drills, pliers, clamps, levels, and screwdrivers)
• Embody a strong safety culture including dedication to a clean and organized work area
• Good written and verbal communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills
• Familiarity with basic chemistry equipment, glassware, and procedures
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Be self-motivated
• Basic understanding of hazardous gas/liquid/waste material handling and chemical reactions
• Be adaptable and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning

Preferred Qualifications

• Fabricating and designing custom equipment
• Familiarity/experience with pipe thread, compression (Swagelok and Valco), VCR, VCO, and flange/gasket connections
• Understanding of materials of construction (strength, pressure and temperature ratings, chemical compatibility, thermal/electrical conductivity)
• Experience with chemical safety and in handling toxic or flammable gases or liquids, including experience working with compressed hydrogen gas
• Experience working with compressed gases and general knowledge of pressure safety
• Experience with chemical reactor operation
• Experience reviewing designs of new equipment, interpreting P&IDs of new systems and changes to existing equipment and systems

Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Research Technician III / Annual Salary Range: $57,900 - $95,500

NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees.

In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance;
• pension benefits*;
• 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*;
• and sick leave (where required by law).

NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NLR you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

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The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for critical minerals, energy innovation, and energy security. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, Fairbanks, Alaska, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NLR bridges foundational research with practical applications to develop and bring to scale new energy materials and technologies that lower energy costs, drive economic growth, and deliver abundant and reliable energy. NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NLR by the Department of Energy (DOE).

Drug Free Workplace NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Please review the information on our Hiring Process website before you create an account and apply for a job. We also hope you will learn more about NLR, visit our Careers site, and continue to search for job opportunities at the lab.