Vacuum Coating Tech - Mechanical Technician

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Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$33.48 - $40.99 Hourly

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

The Advanced Coating and Vacuum Process Lab (AC-VPL) within the Materials Engineering Division (MED) has an opening for an Entry Level Vacuum Coating Mechanical Technician to support ongoing programmatic activities. You will interact with supervision and coworkers and report daily to the supervisor or lead technician. Under supervisor or lead technician oversight, you will provide technical support which may include but are not limited to equipment set up and operation; general troubleshooting and maintenance; minor modification of basic hardware, software, and/or systems; data collection, rudimentary analysis, and reporting results.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

You will 

• Provide basic technical support by applying fundamental knowledge to assist engineering, scientific, and technical staff in fabrication, assembly, installation, operations, and planning/conducting experiments.
• Design, fabricate, assemble, and disassemble basic mechanical components and systems while adhering to work control processes and procedural requirements.
• Operate experimental and diagnostic equipment, and perform data recovery during the execution of experiments.
• Conduct basic inspections and utilize nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods.
• Apply fundamental knowledge of relevant technologies and processes, including interpreting and utilizing laboratory equipment to troubleshoot hardware or system malfunctions.
• Maintain system documentation and experimental records.
• Perform facility-related and technical functions, such as maintenance, testing, and equipment upgrades.
• Follow and adhere to written operational and safety procedures, ensuring good housekeeping practices in experimental, work, and office areas. Perform all assignments in compliance with ES&H, security, and business practice requirements and policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Associate degree in mechanical, industrial, manufacturing, or electro-optic technology with no experience; or a technology-related certificate or diploma with relevant work experience and coursework; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a technical or engineering field that includes mechanical training.
• Ability to meet and maintain qualification criteria in a technical or engineering discipline necessary for programmatic operations and maintenance to support Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) systems and processes.
• Ability to participate in general on-the-job training, including operational or equipment training.
• Familiarity with the use of general laboratory and inspection equipment, such as balances, microscopes, scanners, and other support tools.
• Experience using personal computers and associated software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite) for documenting experimental results.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Qualifications We Desire

• Familiarity with vacuum technology and Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) vacuum systems.
• Experience operating machine tools, including drill presses, band saws, mills, and lathes.
• Familiarity with reading and interpreting mechanical drawings.

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.