What You Will Do
The Scattering Team within Materials Science & Technology (MST-8) is seeking a highly motivated, hands-on Research Technologist with strong software skills and practical experience integrating scientific instruments, controls, and data acquisition systems. The successful candidate will develop, deploy, troubleshoot, and maintain computer control and data acquisition solutions for in-situ diffraction experiments. Responsibilities may include integrating motion stages, cameras, detectors, temperature and load-control equipment, vacuum systems, and other laboratory hardware; developing operator interfaces and automation; configuring instrument networks and communications; and supporting experiments at Los Alamos and external user facilities. Experience with the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) is highly desirable. The role requires a working understanding of physics and engineering principles sufficient to translate experimental requirements into safe, reliable, maintainable systems. The Scattering Team operates neutron diffraction beamlines at the Lujan Center at LANSCE and performs experiments at national and international user facilities. The successful candidate will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment and will be self-motivated, collaborative, communicative, and comfortable providing hands-on technical support during experimental campaigns.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Software: Demonstrated proficiency developing, debugging, and maintaining software in at least one programming or scripting language, such as Python, C, C++, or Bash.
- Instrument integration: Hands-on experience integrating, operating, or troubleshooting computer-controlled scientific equipment, instrumentation interfaces, or data acquisition systems.
- Technical foundation: Working knowledge of physics and engineering principles sufficient to understand experimental requirements and implement safe, reliable technical solutions.
- Execution and teamwork: Ability to diagnose problems across software and hardware boundaries, document systems clearly, and work effectively in a multidisciplinary experimental team.
Education/Experience: 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:
- Scientific software: Experience with version control, testing, reusable software design, automation, or graphical operator interfaces.
- Data acquisition and controls: Experience designing systems that coordinate devices, acquire synchronized data, capture metadata, and automate experimental workflows.
- EPICS or comparable controls: Experience with EPICS IOCs, process variables, device support, operator displays, alarms, archiving, Channel Access, or PVAccess; experience with another distributed control system is also valuable.
- Interfaces and communications: Experience with Ethernet/TCP/IP, serial, USB, vendor APIs or SDKs, Modbus, OPC UA, or similar instrument interfaces and protocols.
- Linux and networking: Experience configuring, deploying, administering, or remotely supporting Linux-based laboratory systems and networks.
- Experimental systems: Experience with electronics, sensors, signal conditioning, mechanical assembly, commissioning, or hands-on support at beamlines or other user facilities.
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.
Work Schedule: M-F, 8/40, 9/80 or 4.5/40.
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 2 year.
Note to Applicants: When applying online, candidates are to include a cover letter that addresses each Minimum Job Requirement and highlights relevant Preferred Qualifications. Applicants should provide concise examples of software developed, instruments or data acquisition systems integrated, technical problems solved, and experience with EPICS or comparable controls.
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 maternity 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 (https://int.lanl.gov/org/ddops/oma/prime-contract-management/applicable-directives/_assets/docs/DOE-O-206.2-Chg-2-LtdChg-Identity,-Credential,-and-Access-Management-ICAM-1.pdf) . 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 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-border-a-chg1-ltdchg/@@images/file) 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.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) for applicant eligibility requirements.
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.