Laboratory Vacuum Equipment Technologist / Sr. Technologist

About the role

We are looking for a Mechanical Technologist/Senior Mechanical Technologist with hands-on experience in vacuum systems, mechanical fabrication, and joining technologies. You will support ongoing programmatic activities independently or in collaboration with engineers, scientists, and technical staff.

This position supports a wide variety of vacuum-processing applications, including vapor deposition, materials joining, and mechanical systems used for national security and scientific research. The position is in the the Vacuum Processes Laboratory within Materials Engineering Division (MED) in the Engineering Directorate.

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

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair vacuum systems, including roughing and high-vacuum pumps, vacuum gauges, valves, and associated hardware.
• Fabricate, machine, modify, and assemble mechanical components, high-vacuum hardware, experimental fixtures, and tooling using engineering drawings, hand and power tools, and conventional machine-shop equipment.
• Assemble and disassemble vacuum chambers and pumping systems; prepare sealing surfaces; replace vacuum gaskets; and install vacuum flanges, fittings, and piping using appropriate cleanliness and assembly practices.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on mechanical, vacuum, gas-delivery, cooling, and other laboratory-support systems.
• Assist with equipment installation, integration, testing, commissioning, and system upgrades, including vacuum-system modifications and pump replacements.
• Perform helium leak detection, pressure-rise testing, and pump-down diagnostics to identify leaks, evaluate vacuum performance, and verify repairs.
• Create or modify fabrication drawings and mechanical models using CAD software, such as SolidWorks or similar packages.
• Read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and engineering documentation.
• Support welding, brazing, and other joining processes, including component preparation, fixture assembly, and equipment setup.
• Maintain equipment documentation, maintenance records, calibration records, and experimental logs.
• Work collaboratively with engineers, scientists, machinists, and technical staff to support laboratory operations and research activities.
• Follow written operating procedures and maintain compliance with ES&H, security, and quality requirements.
• Occasionally work with radioactive materials, toxic materials, and solvents used in high-vacuum applications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the 533.3 level

• Independently troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve complex vacuum, mechanical, and electromechanical system issues with minimal supervision.
• Lead the installation, commissioning, modification, maintenance, and repair of vacuum systems and laboratory equipment, including planning work sequences and verifying system performance.
• Design and fabricate mechanical fixtures, tooling, assemblies, and vacuum-system modifications to improve equipment reliability and laboratory capabilities.
• Determine fabrication methods, materials, tolerances, and assembly approaches in collaboration with engineers and technical staff.
• Develop maintenance procedures, work instructions, and technical documentation for vacuum-system operation, leak testing, fabrication, and equipment servicing.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship in vacuum practices, mechanical assembly, fabrication, and troubleshooting.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Associate degree in mechanical engineering technology, vacuum technology, manufacturing technology, welding technology, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Hands-on experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing high-vacuum systems, including vacuum pumps, gauges, valves, seals, and associated components.
• Working knowledge of vacuum fundamentals, including roughing and high-vacuum pumping, pressure measurement, leak detection, and cleanliness practices.
• Experience using hand tools, power tools, precision measuring equipment, and common fabrication equipment to fabricate, inspect, and assemble mechanical components.
• Experience operating conventional machine-shop equipment, including mills, lathes, drill presses, band saws, or similar fabrication equipment.
• Familiarity with CAD software, such as SolidWorks or similar mechanical-design software.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience with the Microsoft Office suite.

Additional qualifications at the 533.3 level

• Experience independently diagnosing and resolving complex high-vacuum system problems, including leaks, pumping deficiencies, and degraded system performance.
• Significant experience with mechanical fabrication, machining, assembly, and system integration, including designing and producing custom components, tooling, and fixtures from drawings or technical requirements.
• Experience leading equipment installations, upgrades, and technical projects, including vacuum-system assembly, commissioning, and performance verification.
• Ability to translate technical requirements into practical fabrication and equipment-modification solutions and document completed work.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with a variety of vacuum pumps, such as dry scroll, rotary-vane, Roots blower, turbomolecular, diffusion, or cryogenic pumps.
• Familiarity with operating mass-flow controllers and residual-gas analyzers.
• Experience with gas-delivery systems, tubing, tube bending, and compression fittings.
• Experience with welding processes, such as TIG, MIG, orbital welding, or brazing, particularly for vacuum-compatible components and assemblies.
• Experience with thin-film deposition systems, vacuum-brazing furnaces, heat-treating equipment, or other vacuum-processing equipment.
• Familiarity with software coding and programming.
• Experience designing mechanical components, tooling, or fixtures using CAD software.

Position Information

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

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

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.

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