R&D Laboratory Support Technologist - Advanced Thin Films & Processing, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

Do you enjoy hands-on operation of thin film deposition systems and related materials characterization equipment? If so, you would be perfect to join our team! Our group develops custom thin films, coatings, and engineered surfaces to support a variety of applications. If selected for the role, you will become an integral part of the team that sustains and improves various technologies vital to national security needs.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Support staff in safely operating and maintaining thin film deposition systems in supporting research, prototyping, and production activities
• Execute complex deposition designs that include can thick coatings
• Investigate produced thin films and engineered surfaces using different materials characterization techniques,
• Perform calibration and alignment checks and adjust or modifications, as needed,
• Prepare substrates, characterize samples utilizing a variety of techniques (optical, electrical, surface, roughness, stress, etc.), and troubleshooting vacuum systems
• Oversee equipment contracts and vendor support personnel activities.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected candidate must be able to work onsite.

$87,400 - $144,400

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering Technology, Physics, Chemistry, or related field
• At least 3 years of experience working in laboratory and/or maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing vacuum systems (cryo, turbo, and/or mechanical)
• Experience depositing thin films using at least one vapor deposition method
• Experience with CW and pulsed lasers including laser optics, imaging devices, and diagnostics,
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance
  

• Knowledge of chemical vapor deposition
• Knowledge of electronics and control systems
• Experience developing safety documentation
• Knowledge of pressure systems and their documentation
• Experience in preventative maintenance (PM) and setting up PM Schedules
• Experience with integrating water cooling systems
• Creative thinking and technical problem-solving skills
• Good interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
  
  

The Thin Films Department (Org. 1875) specializes in two areas: (1) developing custom thin films and coatings for specialty applications and (2) advanced surface engineering.

The thin films team develops novel thin films and coatings for use in microelectronic, optic, mechanical and thermal applications. Our group specializes in the development and characterization of sputtered, evaporated, chemical vapor deposited, and atomic layer deposited thin films. Our fundamental studies probe the key film properties to develop an understanding of how deposition processes influence film structure, phase, and performance. Example films include tribological, optoelectronic, MEMS, and hard coatings in support of the national security mission space. Advanced surface engineering complements our thin film activities. Surface engineering includes laser treatment of solids, atomic layer etching, surface roughening, and smoothening.

Our team is committed to ensuring a nurturing environment compatible with a broad group of people and perspectives in accordance with the changing makeup of the workforce. In support of this vision, our Material, Physical and Chemical Sciences Center actively recruits applicants from diverse groups of backgrounds and fosters an inclusive community.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.