We are seeking an early to mid-career Electronics Technician to build, integrate, test, and sustain diagnostic hardware used to capture data during experiments at the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate. You will support the Material and Radiation Effects (MRE) Electrical Engineering team within NIF Target Diagnostics Engineering and Science (TDES) in a multidisciplinary, highly collaborative environment with a strong emphasis on fiber optic handling and precision assembly. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering and Operations (LSEO) Division, within the Engineering Directorate.
This position will be filled at either the 531.2 or 531.3 level depending on your qualifications. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level.
In this role, you will
- Provide general technical support to scientists, engineers, and senior technical personnel performing activities related to NIF diagnostic builds, including precision assembly, data capture, analysis, and characterization.
- Fabricate and verify electrical cables and harnesses used for precision timing and data transport, applying IPC workmanship practices, electrostatic discharge controls, and configuration control.
- Assemble, route, label, terminate, inspect, clean, and test single-mode fiber optic links supporting diagnostic systems.
- Identify and acquire diagnostic data, perform analysis and evaluation, document results, and communicate with diagnostic Subject Matter Experts to ensure compliance with project goals.
- Ensure compliance with Environmental, Health and Safety (ES&H) policies and procedures while working with radiological, laser, and electrical hazards.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Additional responsibilities at the 531.3 level
- Lead diagnostic system builds and fiber runs, including developing fiber and coaxial loss budgets, test plans, and acceptance criteria.
- Interpret complex Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) and Optical Backscatter Reflectometer (OBR) traces to isolate faults, verify fiber routing, and recommend effective corrective actions.
- Author, review, and modify electrical documentation, propose improvements to assembly methods, and mentor junior personnel in industry best practices.
- Perform advanced verification using Vector Network Analyzers (VNA), Spectrum Analyzers, and Time Domain Reflectometers (TDR) to ensure precision timing and impedance control.