Early Career Laboratory Support Technologist, Polymers & Composites - 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.

We are seeking an R&D Laboratory Support Technologist to join our team to support a range of projects related to our national security missions. The primary responsibility of this individual will be working closely with staff and other technologists to build hardware using a variety of polymeric and composite materials.

On any given day you may be called on to

• Mix and apply epoxies or adhesives for bonding and potting of materials and components.
• Use hand-tools, mixers, spraying equipment, sanders or other common equipment as the job demands.
• Work with engineers to build prototypes for in-house development testing.
• Test materials and mechanical properties using standard chemical and mechanical analysis techniques.
• Develop a work plan and execute on a procedure.
• Maintain space and equipment to ensure smooth and safe operations within the department.
• Document laboratory work and procedures including safety documents.
• Process data and communicate results to staff and customers.
• Properly use a respirator for hazardous chemical handling.

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

$72,800 - $140,600

*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 chemistry, materials science or engineering or equivalent STEM field or equivalent experience
• Experience in a laboratory setting
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance

• Experience with chemical material handling including use of fume hoods and downdraft tables
• Experience maintaining laboratory operations and infrastructure
• Experience with thermal and electrical equipment (e.g. TGA-DSC, thermocouple, LCR, power supplier, electrometer and multimeter)
• Proven ability to team across disciplines
• Active security clearance

The Polymers and Composites Department develops processes, builds prototypes, and deploys hardware in support of mission activities at Sandia National Laboratories and partners. We specialize in adhesives, encapsulants, foams, paints and coatings, plus carbon fiber and glass-reinforced composite materials. Our team is also responsible for retaining the technical competency for legacy materials used throughout Sandia. Our staff of scientists and engineers work closely with other departments to understand and improve materials found in a myriad of applications and environments. We routinely employ advanced manufacturing techniques to supplement traditional subtractive or machining practices. Our applications include components and widgets deployed in extreme thermal, mechanical or electrical environments. We rely on extensive historical knowledge and experiences to make decisions but push the boundary of possibilities through creative thinking, experimentation, and sound application of the scientific method.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) 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.