Engineering Technician V – PCS Operations & Maintenance Technician (NWS 00940)

including any required physicals, drug screen, and/or background investigation to satisfy clearance

from the Department of Energy.

Successful candidates will be employees of NWS supporting the missions of their federal client, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Livermore, CA. Pay, benefits, Human Resources, and employment management functions are all provided by NWS. As an NWS employee working at LLNL, within the client’s environment, you will complete day-to-day tasks, with direction from technical personnel directly employed by LLNL.

This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering Operations (LSEO) Division within the Engineering Directorate and supports projects within the Light Matter and Fusion (LMF) directorate, which houses the world’s largest and most energetic laser facility ever built. The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is also the most precise and reproducible laser as well as the largest optical instrument. The giant laser has nearly 40,000 optics, which precisely guide, reflect, amplify, and focus 192 laser beams onto a fusion target about the size of a pencil eraser.

The Laser Systems Engineering Operations Division has an opening for an Engineering Technician V. The NIF laser is the world’s most powerful laser system, capable of producing over 2 MJ of optical energy. The successful candidate will operate the Power Conditioning System (PCS) and the Plasma-Electrode Pockels Cell (PEPC) systems through the high-level computer control system following detailed procedures. The PCS employs one hundred ninety-two high voltage (24 KV), high-energy (1.7 MJ per module) capacitor bank modules used to power the large flash lamps in the NIF solid-state laser amplifiers. The PEPC system employs high voltage electronics and sophisticated controls hardware and software to implement an optical switch topology for the 192 beams of the NIF main laser. These systems include: high voltage power supplies, pulsed power hardware and circuits, analog, and digital controls hardware and software, embedded computers and diagnostics. The successful candidate will be expected to operate both systems remotely using Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) and perform site maintenance including electrical distribution, high voltage -equipment, digital circuits analog circuits, vacuum controls, compressed air controls and/or major system configurations across multiple engineering disciplines. Primary interactions will be with the lead operators, shot directors, system managers and electrical engineering support personnel.

LMF is a 24/7 operational facility, and operators typically work a 12-hour shift to support operations, with the last two hours of each shift being overtime. The dayshift working hours are from 6:30AM-7:30PM and the owl shift hours are from 6:30PM-7:30AM. Dayshifts work either Sunday-Tuesday and ending every other Wednesday, or Thursday to Saturday and starting every other Wednesday. Owl shifts work either Sunday to Tuesday and start every other Saturday night or Wednesday to Friday and end every other Saturday night. 12-hour shifts are not guaranteed and may change in the future. The successful candidate will be required to pass various on-site training modules to pursue work assignments.

• ◆Operate the Power Conditioning System (PCS) and Plasma-Electrode Pockels Cell (PEPC) using high-level computer controls to support the world’s most powerful laser at the National Ignition Facility.
• ◆Diagnose and resolve issues with high-voltage modules, analog and digital circuits, and control systems using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools such as oscilloscopes and computer-based systems.
• ◆Perform hands-on maintenance and acceptance testing of critical components, including plasma pulse generators and turbo pumps, to ensure equipment is always ready for high-stakes operations.
• ◆Accurately document repairs, maintenance actions, and system status, and communicate effectively to ensure smooth shift transitions and minimal downtime.
• ◆Manage spare parts inventory for critical systems, ensuring that essential components are always available.
• ◆Follow detailed safety procedures to render high-voltage systems safe for maintenance, conduct area “sweeps” before laser operations, and uphold rigorous Environmental, Safety & Health (ES&H) standards.
• ◆Provide input on new and existing procedures, automate trend reviews, and contribute to a culture of innovation and excellence.
• ◆Work closely with scientists, engineers, and technicians to solve complex problems and deliver mission-critical results in a 24/7 operational environment.