Engineering Technician V – Cryogenic Operator (NWS 00659)

Engineering Technician – Cryogenic Operator (NWS 00659)

North Wind Services is actively seeking individuals who can contribute to national security within the science, technology, and engineering fields as part of our supplemental labor team at vital federal research and development installations supporting the Department of Energy. NWS has an established history of contributing to the success of their customer’s mission. Available employment opportunities may range from administrative and logistical support to advanced technical positions.

Qualified applicants must be a US citizen, at least 18 years of age, and able to meet pre-employment requirements including any required physicals, drug screen, and/or background investigation to satisfy clearance requirements from the Department of Energy.

Successful candidates will be employees of NWS, a premier government contractor charged with employing highly motivated and well-qualified personnel who can advance the missions of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA. Though employed by NWS, the employee will take day-to-day direction from technical personnel employed directly by the research laboratories. Pay, benefits, Human Resource, and Employment Management functions are provided by NWS.

This position is supporting the National Ignition Facility (NIF) which is the world’s largest and most energetic laser facility ever built. NIF is also the most precise and reproducible laser as well as the largest optical instrument. The giant laser has nearly 40,000 optics, which precisely guide, reflect, amplify, and focus 192 laser beams onto a fusion target about the size of a pencil eraser.

The Engineering Department has an opening in the Laser Systems Engineering Operations Division for an Engineering Technician to provide advanced maintenance and operational support on the NIF target positioners and target gas manifolds, working with vacuum, x-rays, and pressurized gas systems for the targets that support the critical operations of the world’s most energetic laser system. The successful candidate will work in the National Ignition Facility to perform operational support for the Cryogenic Target Operations group. The successful candidate will have good attention to detail, identify process improvements, and seek to understand complex operational systems. The Engineering Technician will also have the communication skills to effectively interact with project leaders, technicians, designers, and engineers, and will report to the NIF Operations Supervisor. The successful candidates’ primary responsibilities include exchanging high value targets, gas bottles, reservoirs, and operating, maintaining, and performing fault analysis on cryogenic and gas filled systems using remote complex computer-based equipment. This position requires work with hazardous materials in a radioactive environment, and active participation in task specific safety meetings. Due to the vast and varying types of experiments, NIF is a 24/7 operational facility.

This position may require the successful candidate to have the flexibility to work overtime, shift and or weekends to accomplish goals. This position also requires working an alternate schedule of 3-12's / 4-12's over each two-week period. The successful candidate will be required to pass various on-site training modules to pursue work assignments.

Essential Duties

-Perform operation, troubleshooting and maintenance, on cryogenic, vacuum, x-ray, and pressurized gas systems.

-Operate various systems and equipment remotely using computer control systems.

-Record data and present to project leaders for analysis.

-Follow and adhere to written, operational and safety procedures in the course of completing job assignments.

-Perform all assignments in accordance with ESH&Q, Security and business practice requirements and policies.

-May occasionally work in Beryllium contaminated areas.

-May work in areas where respirator use may be required.

-May work with hazardous materials in a radioactive environment.

-Evaluations of equipment may involve working in confined or restricted movement areas, climbing ladders, ability to climb stairs, stand or walk for periods of time.

-Performed other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

-A.A. in Mechanical or Electrical Technologies or a combination of 4+ years of education and experience or previous military experience working on cryogenic/vacuum systems.

-Working knowledge of various mechanical maintenance practices including plumbing, hardware and electrical as it relates to vacuum system operation and maintenance.

-Ability to learn technical background using computer control and data acquisition systems or similar large systems.

-Experience workin