Special Materials Machinist

What You Will Do

Sigma-1, Fabrication Manufacturing Sciences, is looking for highly motivated machinists to support R&D component manufacturing within the Machining and Inspection (M&I) Team. The M&I Team boasts a fully equipped machine shop, including multiple new machines and an inspection lab.

Highlights of the machine shop capabilities include manual and CNC turning, manual and CNC milling, wire electrical discharge machining, and 3D printing. The M&I Team supports the entire Sigma Division including Foundry, Thermomechanical Processing operations, and Welding & Joining among others.

The successful applicant will perform manufacturing operations, primarily machining, on a wide range of materials, including special hazardous materials (radiation, pyrophoric, etc.), to produce high quality components and subassemblies in support of production/experimental programs and special projects.

Minimum

Job Requirements:

• Experience working with hazardous materials.
• Advanced skill in independently setting up and operating machine equipment and CAD/CAM software, including creating CAD/CAM code, G-code/M-code, and applying extensive machining knowledge to plan, set up, and execute specialized manufacturing operations while adhering to safety standards.
• Advanced experience in manufacturing complex parts made from difficult materials with exacting tolerances while working safely within an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Advanced experience in troubleshooting and repairing machining equipment to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation.
• Advanced experience using hand tools, shop equipment, manual machines, and CNC equipment to produce complex, tight‑tolerance components from challenging materials.
• Advanced knowledge of machining processes, applied shop mathematics, material properties, and related disciplines, including full proficiency in interpreting engineering drawings and applying advanced technical judgment.
• Leadership and mentorship experience, providing technical guidance and serving as a lead by reviewing and supporting the work of others.
• Experience with reviewing designs and advising on part manufacturability, cost and schedule.
• Ability to apply extensive knowledge and skills to complete specialized tasks and possess full knowledge of other related disciplines.

• All requirements listed above.

• All Special Machinist 4 requirements.
• Advanced experience in manufacturing complex parts with exacting tolerances in an industrial setting.
• Assist in and review designs and advise on manufacturability, cost and schedule.
• Develop new manufacturing principles, techniques, or methods.
• Experience applying advanced technical principles to develop new concepts.
• Advanced knowledge of applied material properties.

Special Machinist 4 requires an Associate’s Degree (AAS) in Machining Technologies or equivalent precision metalworking program and 6 years of experience; or 8 years prototype experience; or Journeyperson qualification program and 6 years of experience.

Special Machinist 5 requires an Associate’s Degree (AAS) in Machining Technologies or equivalent precision metalworking program and 10 years of experience; or 12 years prototype experience; or Journeyperson qualification program and 10 years of experience.

• Active Q clearance.
• Experience with ultrasonic machining equipment.
• Experience working with ceramic materials.

• Good hand‑eye coordination and fine motor control.
• Ability to lift/carry 30‑40 lbs.
• Ability to acquire and maintain rigorous training as required.

The work location for this position is onsite in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Multiple positions will be filled at the Special Materials Machinist 1‑5 levels depending on applicant qualifications and experience.

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