Los Alamos National Laboratory

Controls Technologist (Research Technologist 1/2)

Los Alamos National Laboratory$87K — $158K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field
  • 2-5 years of experience with Electrical, Instrumentation and Controls (EI&C) circuits
  • Ability to read and understand complex schematics
  • Experience with PLCs and SCADA software
  • Willingness to work at heights and confined spaces

Responsibilities

  • Support and maintain dual axis electron beam accelerator control systems
  • Troubleshoot hardware failures in control systems
  • Document existing and future control hardware systems
  • Design and construct control system components for test stands
  • Adhere to formal operation principles and conduct

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) plan with matching contributions
  • Generous paid parental leave policy
  • Flexible work schedules and paid time off
  • Onsite gyms and wellness programs
Full Job Description
Description

Job Title Controls Technologist (Research Technologist 1/2)

Location Los Alamos, NM, US

Organization Name J-6/Engineering, Operations, and Physics

Minimum Salary

Maximum Salary

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.
What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Research Technologist 1 or 2 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 Integrated Weapons Experiments (J) Division, Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) Engineering Operations and Physics (J-6) Group is looking for a Controls Technician to work as a Research Technologist 1 or 2. This position is full-time, located at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and requires on site work activities.
J-6 provides state-of-the-art analytical accelerator, pulsed power, beam-target, and radiographic physics capabilities in support of LANL's hydrodynamic test mission. Core responsibilities of the group include: (1) designing, modeling, and verifying beam physics in both accelerators, (2) advancing the science and technology of beam-target interactions, (3) designing, modeling, and verifying relativistic electron diodes, (4) designing and fielding diagnostics including: pulsed power and non-invasive beam and plasma diagnostics, (5) system engineering support for the controls, mechanical, and pulsed power and diagnostic systems for both accelerators, (6) operating, maintaining, and upgrading both accelerators, and (7) Research and Development necessary for optimization and upgrades of the accelerators. As a member of the DARHT Controls and IT Team in J-6, the selected candidate will provide accelerator control system hardware support for the DARHT accelerators and associated test facilities.

Research Technologist 1 ($87,800 - $143,000)

  • Support, troubleshoot, and maintain the dual axis electron beam accelerator's control systems
  • Participate in the diagnosis of failures or malfunctions that occur in the hardware sections of the control system. Take part in troubleshooting, repairing, or replacing equipment or systems using specialized equipment, detailed drawings, diagrams, sketches, manuals, and verbal and/or written instructions.
  • Participate in the documentation of existing and future control hardware systems and components. This will include preparing required documents and interacting with computer aided drafters.
  • Participate in the design, construction, installation, testing, documentation, and operation of control system components of various test stands.
  • Adhere to the principles of Formality of Operations including Conduct of Operations, Conduct of Maintenance, Conduct of Engineering, and Conduct of Training.

Research Technologist 2 ($96,600 - $158,000)
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level
Perform the job duties listed above for the Research Technologist 1 position with minimal supervision.

  • Be able to recommend or perform appropriate solutions as needed.


What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
  • Demonstrated relevant experience working with Electrical, Instrumentation and Controls (EI&C) circuits.
  • Demonstrated self-starter and ability to complete tasks under minimal supervision.
  • Demonstrated ability to read, and understand complex schematics, including wiring, troubleshooting, and documenting.
  • Demonstrated experience at independent troubleshooting of Electrical, Instrumentation and Controls (EI&C) systems.
  • Demonstrated compliance of configuration management and adherence to formalized documentation.
  • Willing to acquire new skills and step out of comfort zone.
  • Must be able and willing to perform duties while working on ladders or elevated platforms.
  • This position requires a Q clearance. Applicants must have the ability to obtain a Q clearance, which normally requires U.S. citizenship.

Additional Job Requirements at the Research Technologist 2 level:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

  • Demonstrated ability to generate, read, and understand complex schematics, including wiring, troubleshooting, and documenting.
  • Must have demonstrated experience working effectively as a team member on large projects as well as functioning independently on smaller assignments.
  • Extensive experience and proficiency with common electronic tools and test equipment such as DVM's and oscilloscopes.
  • Must have demonstrated experience working with PLCs, SCADA software and Industrial communication protocols

Education/Experience for Research Technologist 1: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 2 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience for Research Technologist 2: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 5 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience with EMI/RFI wiring and shielding theory.
  • Experience generating electrical schematics.
  • Previous experience with controls systems of linear accelerators or other large-scale facilities.
  • Demonstrated experience and proficiency with complex multi-channel PLC/computer-based controls systems.
  • Familiar with Schneider's PLC, HMI and SCADA.
  • Familiarity with distributed control hardware such as Quantum remote I/O or other process control hardware.
  • Demonstrated experience designing and upgrading controls in systems such as gas handling (Flow/Pressure Controllers), power supplies, and vacuum.
  • Experience developing, implementing, and/or following maintenance and QA plans.

Work Environment: Outdoors, In confined space, heights, Underground, Working alone, Working overtime or irregular schedule, Domestic/foreign travel, operation of motor vehicles, Work with weapons or explosives, Work with vibrating equipment/machinery, Work near machinery with moving parts, toxic chemicals, irritant chemicals, dusts or powders, sprays, mists, or vapors, fumes, carcinogens, Hearing protection, Gloves or hand protection, Safety shoes or protective foot-gear, Headgear or head protection, safety glasses or eye protection, face shield or facial protection, Mask or respirator.

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 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, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of 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.

Along with your resume, please include a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet each of the minimum requirements and any of the desired qualifications.

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.

Contact Details

Contact Name Coulter, Joseph Patrick

Email [email protected]

Work Telephone

About Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory initially organized during World War II for the design of nuclear weapons as part of the Manhattan Project. It is located a short distance northwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico in the southwestern United States. LANL conducts research in fields such as national security, space exploration, renewable energy, medicine, nanotechnology, and supercomputing. It is the largest institution of its kind in the world. LANL is managed and operated by Triad National Security, LLC, which is composed of Battelle Memorial Institute, the University of California, and the Texas A&M University System.
Learn more about Los Alamos National Laboratory
Size
12,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1943

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