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Research Technician 2/3

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos, NM

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$54,900–$84,300 Per Year
SKILLS
Acceptance Testing, AutoCAD, Blueprints, CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing), Communication Skills, Dental Insurance, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Wiring, Electricity, Electromagnetism, Electromechanical Systems, Electromechanics, Electronics, Emerging Technology, Engineering Drawing, Equipment Maintenance/Repair, Field Trials, Forklift, Hand Tools, Hazard Analysis, Heavy Equipment/Vehicles, High School Diploma, Identify Issues, Intelligence Community, LabVIEW Programming Language, Laboratory, Low Voltage (LV), MATLAB, Machining, Machining Operations, Maintenance Services, Mechanical Design, Mechanical Engineering, Microcontroller, Microprocessor, Operational Control, Operations Security (OPSEC), Organizational Skills, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Preventative Maintenance, Problem Solving Skills, Project/Program Management, Quality Control, Safety Compliance, Safety Process, Safety/Work Safety, Schematics, Security Clearance, Security Protocols, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), SolidWorks, Structured Analysis, Systems Engineering, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Technical Operations, Technical Support, Telemetry, Telescopic Handler, Time Management, Tuition Fees, United States Citizen, Vision Plan, Weatherization, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Los Alamos, NM
POSTED
5 days ago
What You Will Do
This position will be filled at either the Research Technician 2 or Research Technician 3 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

The Technology Applications Group (A-3) is seeking motivated Research Technicians to work on our nation's most pressing national security challenges. A-3 is home to a broad range of engineering and scientific expertise dedicated to delivering functional solutions for users across the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and Intelligence Community. A-3's core competencies include custom electronic solutions, mechanical design and evaluation, power infrastructure and systems, and electromagnetics.

As a Technician 2/3, you will contribute to a broad range of hands-on project objectives, providing critical support in demanding laboratory spaces and rugged field-testing environments.

This position is a Research Technician role, to be filled at the 2 or 3 level, depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate(s). The ideal candidate(s) will have experience in hands-on equipment fabrication, mechanical assembly, and/or hardware installation. We are looking for individuals who thrive in dynamic, team-oriented environments, maintain high operational discipline, pride in the quality of their work, and are motivated to adapt their practical skills to new and emerging technologies.

The selected individual(s) will have the opportunity to immediately contribute to hardware fabrication, physical work, and structural integration deliverables. This position will support electronic or mechanical implementation of mission-critical innovations in diverse settings. Work will be conducted at Q and SCI levels, and the selected candidate(s) must be eligible and willing to obtain security clearances.

Research Technician 2 $54,900-$84,300

Provides physical technical support for activities including development, assembly, modification, repair, and preventative maintenance of a wide variety of equipment used in experimental operations (e.g., electro-mechanical apparatus, high-pressure lines, structural fixtures, and field diagnostics). At this level, the candidate typically receives specific operational parameters for non-routine tasks, while independently executing routine assembly, hardware adjustments, and technical troubleshooting of moderate scope and complexity.

Research Technician 3 $66,100-103,600
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, qualification at this level requires working under the general guidance of a team lead or engineer to execute complex electronic or mechanical installations requiring advanced diagnostics mastery and precision machinery operation.
What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
  • Practical Fabrication & Tool Mastery: Demonstrated proficiency in the assembly, modification, or repair of heavy physical hardware and electro-mechanical systems. Entry level familiarity with industrial hand tools, power tools, layout designs, and precision alignment gear.
  • Operational Quality Control: Has sufficient field or shop experience to ensure all materials, installations, and final assemblies strictly meet quality and structural specifications. Proven ability to document procedures, log equipment parameters, and flag material variances.
  • Teamwork & Operational Discipline: Demonstrated ability to operate effectively within structured team environments, maintain clear situational awareness, and interact productively with personnel from diverse professional and technical backgrounds.
  • Safety & Procedural Compliance: Strict adherence to required LANL safety and security protocols. Experienced in operating under high-consequence safety rules, maintaining required site training, and exercising independent judgment.

Additional Job Requirements for Research Technician 3:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

  • Electrical Infrastructure: Experience routing, assembling, and terminating electrical subsystems using complex schematics, wiring layouts, and diagnostic equipment such as multi-meters, signal generators, or circuit analyzers.
  • Mechanical & Structural Expertise: Experience building complex mechanical systems from engineering drawings, such as 3D CAD blueprints or structural renderings, and utilizing machine shop equipment to customize or modify heavy steel or aluminum components.
  • Communication & Coordination: Strong written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated track record of coordinating directly with line management, field coordinators, or technical sponsors to manage project timelines and solve field deployment hurdles.
  • Independent Problem Solving: Demonstrated experience performing non-routine tasks that require exercising independent field judgment, interpreting raw performance data, and autonomously planning the physical stages of a build.

Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a High School diploma and a minimum of 3 years of related experience in industrial fabrication, field installation, equipment maintenance, or practical technical operations; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires an Associate's Degree in a technical discipline and 3 years of related experience, or a High School Diploma and an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience or a strong aptitude to learn in any of the following areas:

  • Supporting complex outdoor field experiments, heavy equipment operation, or remote site deployments
  • Field experience (e.g moving trailers, vehicles, forklifts, telehandlers)
  • Robust environmental packaging, weatherproofing, and shock-mounting considerations to protect sensitive electronics against severe vibration, thermal cycling, and moisture
  • Low-voltage wiring, sensor integration, and the physical setup of microcontrollers/microprocessors such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or automated data telemetry systems
  • Familiarity interpreting layouts via industrial software tools (e.g., AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, Altium, Matlab, or LabVIEW)
  • Basic understanding of power distribution subsystems, utility controls, grounding infrastructure, or electromagnetic shielding
  • Familiarity with structured hazard analysis, formal work documents (such as LANL's IWM system), and maintaining an uncompromised safe working environment
  • Active Q and/or SCI clearances

Work Environment:

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is one 1 year.

Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
  • PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
  • Dental and vision insurance
  • Free basic life and disability insurance
  • Paid childbirth and parental leave
  • Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching 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)
Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

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 our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.

About the Company

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Los Alamos National Laboratory