Mechanical Technician III - Installation

The pay range for this position is $28.30–$34.51 per hour. The final pay offered will be determined based on scope, responsibilities, candidate qualifications, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay.

About the role

A Technician III is sought to join Fermilab’s Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) and Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) Project team in Lead, South Dakota. The LBNF/DUNE Project is hosted by Fermilab in Batavia, IL, with participation from universities and laboratories worldwide. The project includes construction of a beamline and near detector at Fermilab and a large underground detector at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota. Under general supervision, this position provides moderately complex to complex technical support for an assigned area, typically an experiment or support group.

Responsibilities

• Work one mile underground on a rotating shift schedule (12-hour days with 10 days on and 10 days off, rotating days to nights every two months). A shift differential is paid for second shift.
• Perform physical tasks at elevation using equipment such as scissor lifts.
• Fabricate, set up, operate, test, repair, and/or modify a variety of moderately complex to complex electrical, electronic, and/or mechanical equipment, systems, and devices based on technical documentation such as drawings, diagrams, and schematics.
• Act as a point person for technical issues in the assigned area, assisting with construction, assembly, and preparation of experimental and support equipment for operation using appropriate diagnostic tools or software.
• Write, update, and test procedures and documentation for all finished work; enter relevant information into logs or databases and produce reports as assigned.
• Troubleshoot and conduct repairs on instruments and equipment; provide ongoing maintenance and technical support.
• Conduct periodic safety inspections and hazard analyses of the assigned area, supporting safe work practices in all activities.
• Perform environmental, safety, and health (ES&H) duties such as environmental surveys, waste disposal, radiological surveys, and packaging hazardous or radioactive waste for shipment.
• Respond to operational needs and emergency requirements, including off-hours and call-ins as necessary.
• Procure and maintain inventories of parts, tools, materials, and equipment, including requisitions.
• Assist with the design, development, and implementation of equipment and systems related to LBNF/DUNE project tasks, contributing to continuous improvement and quality outcomes.
• Provide guidance to less experienced technicians or contractors and may serve as a shift supervisor for specific projects or tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Abide by and be responsible for performing all duties in accordance with environmental, health, and safety regulations and Fermilab policies, procedures, and practices.

Requirements

• High school diploma (or technical certificate or equivalent) with 5+ years of extensive related experience, or 3+ years of experience at a DOE laboratory or in a technical skill critical to the Lab’s mission (e.g., cryogenics, RF, radiation protection, clean room, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience and advanced knowledge in the assigned technical area.
• Comprehensive knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and/or ES&H technology concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to work on complex projects and assignments independently and collaboratively.
• Capable of operating and maintaining a variety of material handling and lift equipment (e.g., forklifts, hoists, scissor lifts).
• Ability to work underground and at heights, with successful completion of related safety training.
• May be required to legally operate a government vehicle.

Schedule

• Rotating shift schedule: 12-hour days with 10 days on and 10 days off, rotating days to nights every two months.
• Shift differential paid for second shift.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Paid time off.
• Life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Retirement benefits.

Work Arrangement

This role is based full-time onsite at the LBNF-DUNE site in Lead, South Dakota.