Mechanical Equipment Scientific Associate

We have multiple openings for Scientific Associates/Sr. Scientific Associates to install, test, repair, maintain, and/or modify basic to moderately complex mechanical systems on a range of laboratory (and related) equipment in support of various programs at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. You will have close interactions with various disciplines and crafts in the Environment, Safety and Health, Engineering, Physical Life Science, and Operations and Business Directorates as well as scientists, engineers, and technical staff throughout the Laboratory. Your duties may include the ongoing support and operation of high performance scientific equipment.  You may be required to work in areas with hazardous materials including, but not limited to, beryllium, radioactive, toxic, or high explosives materials.  This position is in the Materials Characterization Group within the Materials Science Division (MSD).

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at either level 337.1 or 339.2 based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will 

• Apply innovative technical and scientific expertise to the design, fabrication, installation, maintenance, and/or modification of mechanical systems in the MSD and across the LLNL in general to support cutting-edge scientific research.
• Select appropriate work methods in collaboration with the Mechanical Technician Team Lead and stakeholders from the scientific staff for use in environments that routinely present chemical hazards including beryllium, radioactive material, lead, asbestos, and nanomaterials, as well as explosive hazards, biomaterial hazards, and electrical hazards
• Use hand and powered tools commonly implemented for mechanical assembly/disassembly, and the repair and operation of advanced scientific instruments
• Develop/design system enhancements to increase reliability and maintainability, or to facilitate increasing scope requirements.
• Maintain work planning and control documentation for work conducted on Materials Science Division equipment and systems.
• Perform lock out/tag out to isolate components and de-energize equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the 339.2 level

• Collaborate with technical and scientific staff, including subject matter experts, to install, maintain, and upgrade experimental setups, and to provide ongoing support for experiments that use these setups.
• Use advanced electrical and mechanical skills to solve complex to highly complex technical problems and make decisions of high consequence associated with the installation, decontamination and decommissioning, and/or ongoing maintenance and use of scientific equipment.
• Co-ordinate and lead small groups of technical employees (incl. electrical, mechanical workers, other crafts, and/or external vendors) to complete projects involving the design, development, installation, and maintenance of Materials Science Division capabilities multiple
• Author, review, and approve related technical/engineering documentation, as well as routinely present this material to superiors while leading or participating in design reviews.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or related field or the equivalent combination of education and prior relevant experience.
• Understanding of the function, modification, and operation of technologies, processes, and laboratory equipment/systems for Materials Science Division research capabilities.
• Experience with Work Planning and Control procedures.
• Ability to evaluate complex to highly complex systems and apply best practice scientific and engineering solutions in both facility operations and experimental lab environments.
• Experience providing technical direction and the ability to mentor others with advanced technical skills.
• Experience using respiratory protection and familiarity with radioactive waste (LLW, TRU).
• Familiarity with high vacuum, pressure, and inert environment systems
• Significant experience working effectively in a dynamic and multidisciplinary environment, which includes working with scientists, engineers, technicians, and designers.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information.
• Ability to operate common motor vehicles, and the potential to operate powered industrial trucks.

Additional qualifications at the 339.2 level

• Extensive experience making frequent, independent decisions to define project approaches, to establish or modify guidelines, techniques, and procedures, to choose appropriate work methods and possibly to set priorities.
• Experience in authoring, reviewing, and approving technical/engineering documentation, as well as leading or participating in design reviews.
• Demonstrated experience in the use of technical and scientific knowledge to provide and implement novel mechanical solutions to enable one-of-a-kind experiments.

Qualifications We Desire

• Familiarity with radioactive waste (LLW, TRU).

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite or At Will appointment. Lab employees and external candidates may be considered for this position.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values 
• Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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