What You Will Do

The Explosives Technician 4 will work closely with a diverse group of scientists, engineers, technologists, and technicians on projects and programs for both internal and external customers. Interpersonal communication and teamwork are important elements of this work environment, as is a commitment to LANL’s safety and security culture.

Job Duties

Job duties entail providing support to all aspects of production of explosives and explosives parts, novel rocket propulsion, and homemade explosives testing and training, and fielding and firing explosives experiments, including:

• Maintain laboratory firing operations and experimental facilities, e.g., orderliness, cleanliness, inventory, supply procurement, coordination of craft work, shot clean-up, and waste management.
• Build shot and diagnostic stands; assist in set-up of various types of diagnostic and recording equipment including oscilloscopes, cameras, pin/switch circuits, temperature control circuits, etc.
• Assist with instruction of Homemade Explosive Training
• Assist the Firing Leader and/or Experimentalist in the preparation of explosive assemblies.
• Work with the Firing Leader and/or Experimentalist to perform precision optical and/or mechanical alignment of assemblies.
• Participate in hazard analyses. Assist in preparation of safety documents and work procedures.
• Work with explosives, class 4 lasers, cryogens, chemicals, pressurized systems, energized electrical equipment, pulsed-power systems, hand operated power tools and radioactive materials.

Desired Skills:

• Experience with explosive firing operations and/or handling energetic materials (e.g., reactive chemicals, high explosives).
• Training and experience with homemade explosives handling and testing, as well as training oversight.
• Experience with data acquisition equipment (oscilloscopes/digitizers, delay generators, thermocouples, and pressure sensors).
• Experience with optical alignment, optical system design/setup, and high speed camera operation (e.g. class 4 lasers, framing cameras, streak cameras, high speed video).
• Experience operating radiography equipment.
• Experience and/or current licensing for operating large trucks and heavy equipment such as forklifts, tractors, skid loaders, etc.
• Experience with fabrication techniques and machinery (e.g., lathes, mills, saws, welders).
• Graduate of NAVSCOLEOD or Hazardous Devices School
• Active or recent DOE Q clearance or TS-CNWDI-SCI

Essential Job Functions: Ability to smell, ability to discriminate speech, ability to hear in a normal range,  reaching overhead, typing or keyboarding, fine motor control, use of both hands,  the ability to lift 30+lbs, and ability to carry 30+ lbs.

Education: Position typically requires a high school diploma and two to four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  An associate's degree is preferred or equivalent amount of college course work.

Notes to Applicants: Please submit a detailed cover letter with your resume addressing all required and desired skills. Please save the cover letter with the job number and name.

Located in northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security.  LANL enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.

Additional Details:

Clearance: Q  (Position will be cleared to this level).  Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter.

*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 for additional information.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Equal Opportunity:

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regards to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, 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 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 1-505-665-4444 option 1.