Machinist

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Machinist 3 or Machinist 4 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level. Located in northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is the nation’s premier plutonium center of excellence. At LANL, we lead in ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile while advancing research across a spectrum of scientific disciplines, including national security, space exploration, geophysics, renewable energy, supercomputing, medicine, and nanotechnology.

Our advanced nuclear facility emphasizes precision machining and adherence to standards in a high‑tech manufacturing environment. The Pit Technologies (PT) Division, part of the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP), is instrumental in delivering top‑quality plutonium pit‑related products and services. This division focuses on maintaining and enhancing the performance of nuclear components while following rigorous compliance and safety protocols.

As a member of the PT‑8 Machining Group within the PT Division, you will report directly to the Manufacturing Manager 1 (MM1).

• Follow safety guidelines and other work instructions.
• Use of hand tools and supporting shop equipment, perform precision measurements, and setup and operation of CNC and other manual equipment with little to no supervision.
• Create CAD/CAM files and/or G&M code.
• Manufacturing complex parts from drawings, sketches, and verbal instructions.
• Operation of crane and forklifts.
• Foster a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

• Review designs and advise on part manufacturability, cost, and schedule.
• Documentation of work performed. Reporting results to supervisor or customers orally or in writing.
• Training and mentoring of others.

• Ability to follow guidelines for working safely in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of applied shop mathematics.
• Understanding of machining processes, tools, and operations to obtain various tolerances.
• Knowledge of applied material properties.
• Knowledge and ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Ability to set up and operate manual equipment, CNC equipment, hand tools and supporting shop equipment with little to no supervision.
• Ability to create CAD/CAM files (such as Camworks, Master Cam, etc.) and/or G&M code.
• Ability performing precision measurements.
• Willingness to work with radioactive materials and other hazardous materials.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which normally requires U.S. citizenship.

• Experience with 5‑axis CNC machining.
• Ability to manufacture complex parts made from difficult materials with exacting tolerances.
• Ability to develop new procedures and protocols to meet mission needs.
• Ability to review designs and advise on part manufacturability, cost and schedule.
• Ability to train and mentor others.

• Experience in machining hazardous materials and handling classified matter.
• Handling classified matter and/or use of classified computing.
• Active DOE "Q" clearance (or similar).

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

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

Position 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.

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