Early Career Laser/Optical Technologist - High-Power-Laser Field Tester, Onsite

$60,300 - $116,000/Yr

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque, NM

Part-time,Full-time - Entry Level

Remote - Albuquerque, NM

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Early Career Laser/Optical Technologist position at Sandia National Laboratories involves conducting high-power-laser measurements and supporting high-energy laser tests in field environments. The role requires both independent work and collaboration within a multi-disciplinary team, focusing on the development, maintenance, and operation of various optical and laser systems. The position emphasizes safety, documentation, and effective communication with team members across different expertise levels.

Responsibilities

• Align and perform bench top optical systems.
• Assist in setting up and executing high-energy laser tests in field environments.
• Develop, build, modify, repair, maintain, align, evaluate, operate, and experiment with mechanical/optical/laser apparatus and equipment.
• Devise, fabricate, and assemble new or modified laboratory components or assemblies.
• Set up and test complete prototype units and subassemblies under operational conditions.
• Analyze data and recommend modifications to components or test procedures to meet desired specifications.
• Set up instrumentation, data acquisition, and imaging systems to gather data on high consequence events.
• Maintain and repair the laboratory, equipment, and instrumentation.
• Maintain lab chemical, safety, instrumentation calibration and hardware inventory databases as required by corporate policy.
• Operate heavy equipment to move concrete blocks, steel walls, or large test fixtures.

Requirements

• Associate degree in mechanical, electrical, or photonics technology; OR high school diploma plus two (2) or more years of relevant experience.
• Experience performing technical laboratory work effectively in high consequence environments, such as explosive, high voltage, and radioactive related processes.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q and SCI clearance which may require a polygraph test.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant STEM field.
• Experience with Class 4 lasers, optical labs, high-temperature material science, plasma physics, or other relevant research areas.
• Experience with high voltage components and systems.
• Electrical/mechanical/optical assembly/design ability.
• Familiarity with Solidworks, Diadem, LabView, Matlab, Zeemax, Multisim, Utiliboard or similar software packages.
• Ability to learn operation of oscilloscopes, high speed cameras, infrared cameras, integrating spheres, beam profilers and other laser diagnostics.
• Demonstrated ability to safely work in hazardous environments.
• Familiarity with data acquisition instrumentation, preferably National Instruments PXI hardware.
• Qualified or willing to be qualified as a Laser Safety Officer.

Benefits

• Generous vacations
• Strong medical benefits
• Competitive 401k
• Learning opportunities
• Relocation assistance
• Flexible work arrangements including 9/80 and 4/10 workweeks
• Telecommuting options