Technician III - Chemical Engineering

National Laboratory of the Rockies; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 58,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Pension benefits

403(b) match

Sick leave

Job summary

National Laboratory of the Rockies is seeking a full-time Research Technician III to support catalysis, synthesis, and separation activities across multiple projects. You’ll help run, maintain, and improve bench-scale reactor systems, perform sample workups, and contribute to safety documentation and equipment commissioning.

The role emphasizes meticulous data collection, strong teamwork, and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment with DOE/DOW project involvement.

Qualifications

• Educational background aligned to laboratory support functions and safety.
• Experience with core lab techniques or equivalents is valued.
• Commitment to precise data collection and record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain bench-scale high-pressure reactor systems and related equipment.
• Produce samples, process, and analyze materials for tests.
• Modify, fabricate, install research equipment for experiments.
• Wet chemistry experimentation and data documentation.
• Update safety procedures, equipment logs, and drawings.
• On-board new equipment from design to commissioning.
• Assist with lab space optimization and cross-team collaboration.
• Promote safe laboratory practices and assist with reporting for funding.

Skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Written and verbal communication

Safety culture

Troubleshooting

Self-motivated

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma

Associate's Degree

Tools

Wrenches

Drills

Pliers

Clamps

Levels

Screwdrivers

Job description

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.

Posting Title

Technician III - Chemical Engineering

Location

CO - Golden

Position Type

Limited Term (Fixed Term)

Hours Per Week

40

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.

• 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.

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

E-Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.