What Your Job Will Be LikeWe are seeking an experienced, collaborative team member for the Metallography Preparation and Analysis Laboratory (Metlab) for the role of R&D Laboratory Support Technologist. This laboratory, part of the Metallurgy & Welding Engineering organization, supports a variety of Sandia's missions by preparing a wide range of materials for examination, testing, and research, including optical imaging and analysis of features of interest. Materials evaluated include metals, semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and other materials supporting Sandia's mission areas, including Nuclear Deterrence and other national security programs. The work in the Metlab directly enables material analyses critical to answering fundamental and applied science questions. As a Technologist in the Metlab, you will make crucial contributions in support of Sandia's research and development, failure analysis, and forensics-related activities.
Success in this role requires a strong technical foundation in metallography and metallurgy, the ability to think critically about material behavior and failure, and prior laboratory experience supporting sample preparation and analysis workflows. Applicants should have demonstrated hands-on experience with metallographic preparation, familiarity with laboratory support responsibilities, and the ability to work independently while maintaining a high standard of quality, safety, and organization. These items may include knowledge of ES&H documentation, lab maintenance tasks such as placing purchase orders, and activity scheduling and prioritization. All applicants should have a passion for problem solving, a strong attention to detail, and the ability to learn quickly.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Cut, mount, grind, polish, and chemically etch samples for optical and electron microscopy characterization
- Conduct initial analyses to support material failure, fracture, fatigue, and wear root cause studies
- Apply metallographic and metallurgical knowledge to select preparation approaches appropriate to a wide range of materials and microstructures
- Collaborate with all lab team members to meet project milestones, prioritize high-impact projects, and ensure team success
- Assist with customer communication, including project timeline expectations
- Maintain equipment through coordination of manufacturer service visits
- Assist with lab ownership tasks, such as maintenance of safety documentation, chemical handling, project scheduling, and related lab support duties
- Occasional overtime to meet program requirements may be necessary
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work on-site
Salary Range$74,700 - $144,400
*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.
Qualifications We Require- Bachelor's degree in materials science and engineering, metallurgical engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, or a closely related field, or equivalent relevant experience
- Demonstrated experience in a laboratory or industrial setting performing metallographic sample preparation
- Demonstrated knowledge of metallurgy and/or materials characterization principles sufficient to independently support metallography workflows
- Able to acquire and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance
- Ability to work on-site
Qualifications We Desire- Substantial hands-on experience with metallographic preparation of ferrous and non-ferrous materials
- Advanced knowledge of metallurgy, including microstructure-property relationships, phase identification, heat treatment effects, and/or failure mechanisms
- Ability to independently develop or modify metallographic preparation approaches for challenging materials or geometries
- Experience in optical microscopy, image capture, and microstructural documentation/interpretation
- Experience supporting root cause analysis, failure analysis, fracture studies, or forensic materials work
- Strong commitment to customer satisfaction and quality while maintaining a safe working environment
- Experience working collaboratively toward a common goal in a team environment
- Proven time management, documentation, and communication skills
- Ability to demonstrate proficiency with activities requiring high precision manual dexterity and small-scale mechanical skills, i.e., fabrication, assembly, or specialty craftsmanship
- Detail oriented with respect to work on high precision components
- A genuine curiosity for science and a strong interest in continued technical learning
About Our TeamThe Metallurgy and Welding Engineering Department is the principal organization for metallurgy research and development throughout Sandia. Our expertise covers a broad range of experimental and predictive capabilities that apply fundamental process as well as applied physical and mechanical metallurgy principles. Specific technical areas include laser welding, failure analysis, mechanical testing, physical metallurgy, and others. Our scientific focus is on materials structures, properties, performance and reliability. We support an extensive variety of national security programs and we are highly engaged in providing collaborative, innovative materials science and systems-based engineering solutions.
Posting DurationThis posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
Security Clearance 
