Laboratory Vacuum Equipment Technologist / Sr. Technologist

LLNL•Livermore, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is hiring a Mechanical Technologist or Senior Mechanical Technologist to support vacuum-processing applications, including vapor deposition, materials joining, and mechanical systems for national security and scientific research. The position is in the Vacuum Processes Laboratory within the Materials Engineering Division (MED), Engineering Directorate, and requires full-time on-site presence. The level will be determined based on the candidate’s knowledge and related experience. The senior-level role includes additional independent troubleshooting, project leadership, design and fabrication, procedure development, and mentorship responsibilities. The technologist will operate, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, fabricate, and integrate vacuum systems and mechanical laboratory equipment. Work includes using engineering drawings, CAD, machine-shop equipment, and joining processes; conducting leak detection and vacuum diagnostics; maintaining technical records; and collaborating with engineers, scientists, machinists, and technical staff. The role requires following operating procedures and applicable environment, safety, health, security, and quality requirements. Work may occasionally involve radioactive materials, toxic materials, and solvents used in high-vacuum applications. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. Selected external applicants must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. A Career Indefinite position, it is open to Laboratory employees and external candidates.

Requirements

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for the clearance.
Associate degree in mechanical engineering technology, vacuum technology, manufacturing technology, welding technology, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Hands-on experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing high-vacuum systems, including pumps, gauges, valves, seals, and associated components.
Working knowledge of vacuum fundamentals, including roughing and high-vacuum pumping, pressure measurement, leak detection, and cleanliness practices.
Experience using hand tools, power tools, precision measuring equipment, and common fabrication equipment to fabricate, inspect, and assemble mechanical components.
Experience operating conventional machine-shop equipment such as mills, lathes, drill presses, band saws, or similar equipment.
Familiarity with CAD software such as SolidWorks or similar mechanical-design software.
Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Experience with Microsoft Office.
For the senior level, experience independently diagnosing and resolving complex high-vacuum system problems, including leaks, pumping deficiencies, and degraded performance.
For the senior level, significant experience with mechanical fabrication, machining, assembly, and system integration, including designing and producing custom components, tooling, and fixtures from drawings or technical requirements.
For the senior level, experience leading equipment installations, upgrades, and technical projects, including vacuum-system assembly, commissioning, and performance verification.
For the senior level, ability to translate technical requirements into practical fabrication and equipment-modification solutions and document completed work.

Nice To Haves

Experience with various vacuum pumps, such as dry scroll, rotary-vane, Roots blower, turbomolecular, diffusion, or cryogenic pumps.
Familiarity with operating mass-flow controllers and residual-gas analyzers.
Experience with gas-delivery systems, tubing, tube bending, and compression fittings.
Experience with welding processes such as TIG, MIG, orbital welding, or brazing, particularly for vacuum-compatible components and assemblies.
Experience with thin-film deposition systems, vacuum-brazing furnaces, heat-treating equipment, or other vacuum-processing equipment.
Familiarity with software coding and programming.
Experience designing mechanical components, tooling, or fixtures using CAD software.

Responsibilities

Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair vacuum systems, including pumps, gauges, valves, and associated hardware.
Fabricate, machine, modify, and assemble mechanical components, high-vacuum hardware, experimental fixtures, and tooling using drawings, tools, and conventional machine-shop equipment.
Assemble and disassemble vacuum chambers and pumping systems; prepare sealing surfaces; replace gaskets; and install flanges, fittings, and piping using appropriate cleanliness and assembly practices.
Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on mechanical, vacuum, gas-delivery, cooling, and other laboratory-support systems.
Assist with equipment installation, integration, testing, commissioning, and upgrades, including vacuum-system modifications and pump replacements.
Perform helium leak detection, pressure-rise testing, and pump-down diagnostics to identify leaks, evaluate performance, and verify repairs.
Create or modify fabrication drawings and mechanical models using CAD software such as SolidWorks or similar packages.
Read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and engineering documentation.
Support welding, brazing, and other joining processes, including component preparation, fixture assembly, and equipment setup.
Maintain equipment documentation, maintenance and calibration records, and experimental logs.
Collaborate with engineers, scientists, machinists, and technical staff to support laboratory operations and research activities.
Follow written operating procedures and comply with ES&H, security, and quality requirements.
Occasionally work with radioactive materials, toxic materials, and solvents used in high-vacuum applications.
Perform other duties as assigned.
At the senior level, independently troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve complex vacuum, mechanical, and electromechanical system issues with minimal supervision.
At the senior level, lead installation, commissioning, modification, maintenance, and repair of vacuum systems and laboratory equipment; plan work sequences and verify system performance.
At the senior level, design and fabricate fixtures, tooling, assemblies, and vacuum-system modifications to improve equipment reliability and laboratory capabilities.
At the senior level, determine fabrication methods, materials, tolerances, and assembly approaches with engineers and technical staff.
At the senior level, develop maintenance procedures, work instructions, and technical documentation for vacuum-system operation, leak testing, fabrication, and equipment servicing.
At the senior level, provide technical guidance and mentorship in vacuum practices, mechanical assembly, fabrication, and troubleshooting.