Research Technician 2/3

About the role

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.

Technology Applications Group (A-3)

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.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to a broad range of hands-on project objectives, providing critical support in demanding laboratory spaces and rugged field-testing environments.
• 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.

Requirements

• Practical Fabrication & Tool Mastery: Demonstrated proficiency in the assembly, modification, or repair of heavy physical hardware and electro-mechanical systems.
• Operational Quality Control: Has sufficient field or shop experience to ensure all materials, installations, and final assemblies strictly meet quality and structural specifications.
• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Skills

• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• 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).

Pay

• Research Technician 2: $54,900-$84,300
• Research Technician 3: $66,100-103,600

Schedule

• 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.
• The position commitment for this position is one 1 year.