Job Description

Job Title:  Engineering Technician V - Computer Control Systems Operator (NWS 00873)  

North Wind Services is actively seeking individuals who can contribute to national security within the science, technology, and engineering fields as part of our supplemental labor team at vital federal research and development installations supporting the Department of Energy. NWS has an established history of contributing to the success of their customer's mission. Available employment opportunities may range from administrative and logistical support to advanced technical positions.  

Qualified applicants must be a US citizen, at least 18 years of age, and able to meet pre-employment requirements including any required physical, drug screen, and/or background investigation to satisfy clearance requirements from the Department of Energy.  

Successful candidates will be employees of NWS, a premier government contractor charged with employing highly motivated and well-qualified personnel who can advance the missions of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA. Though employed by NWS, the employee will take day-to-day directions from technical personnel employed directly by the research laboratories. Pay, benefits, Human Resource, and Employment Management functions are provided by NWS.  

This position supports the National Ignition Facility (NIF) which is the world's largest and most energetic laser facility ever built. 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 National Ignition Facility (NIF) is seeking a talented and self-motivated Engineering Technician to serve as the Computer Control Systems Operator responsible for the operational support of control systems software, databases, networks, and hardware required to perform successful laser shots at the National Ignition Facility (NIF).

The NIF system is a large, sophisticated design that requires the candidate to have technical skills, attention to detail and the ability to work in a team environment. The successful candidate must have demonstrated exceptional ability providing installation, operation, and/or commissioning of complex software supporting large computer-based control systems. The Engineering Technician will work in the NIF Control Room and have responsibilities for starting and stopping complex and integrated software processes, executing checklists and procedures, monitoring the health of associated subsystems and additional software supporting the setup and analysis experiments, monitoring network and server health, performing basic hardware troubleshooting, documenting problems/changes, and gathering data for developers to resolve software problems. The successful candidate will interact with all subsystem operators, engineers, engineering associates, and other technologists. This position interacts with all levels of management both within and outside the NIF & Photon Sciences Directorate and under limited supervision reports to the NIF & PS Control Systems Software Standards and Quality Manager. 

Due to the vast and varying types of experiments, NIF is a 24/7 operational facility. This position requires operators to work on a 3/12-4/12 shift schedule to support operations, with the last two hours of each shift being overtime. The day shift work hours are from 06:30-19:30 and the owl shift hours are from 18:30-07:30. Day shifts work either Sunday-Tuesday and every other Wednesday or Thursday to Saturday and every other Wednesday. Owl shifts work either Sunday to Tuesday and every other Saturday or Wednesday to Friday and every other Saturday night. The successful candidate will be required to pass various on-site training modules to pursue work assignments. The successful candidate will be required to obtain a Q-Level Security Clearance through the Department of Energy. 

Essential Duties
 - Acquire detailed understanding of the structure, operation and deployment plans of the ICCS. 
- Shot Data System (SDS) suite of software applications supporting the setup and analysis of laser experiments. 
- Provide computer-based support for thick-client and web-client software Java applications. 
- Monitor processes during operations, commissioning, and new software release testing. 
- Troubleshoot including restarting of servers and database connections. 
- Troubleshoot and repair routine hardware failures and update device configuration information as needed. 
- Analyze software problems and gather data for feedback to developers. 
- Work directly with engineers and hardware technicians to troubleshoot, commission, and qualify equipment and devices. 
- Support formal testing and commissioning activities, including updating database set-points for various hardware devices. 
- Provide feedback, document issues, and communicate the status of the system. 

Essential Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
 - AS degree in Computer Science/Engineering/Technology or 4+ years of equivalent combination of education and experience related to the Essential Skills, Knowledge and Abilities below. 
- Use of computer-based software applications such as web-based form applications utilizing a Java Thick Client. 
- Experience with Oracle SQL, SolarWinds, SPLUNK, Linux/Unix and command-line environments. 
- Experience with electronic and computer-based instrumentation and control systems, interlock systems, and mechanical hardware. 
- Knowledge of supervisory control systems and equipment, and computer communications networking equipment. 
- IT experience including an understanding of IP networks, switches and desktop support. 
- Formal configuration control practices. 
- Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills including conditional formatting and formula use. 

 
Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
 -BS degree in Computer Science/Engineering/Technology or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
-Experience supporting computer control systems, especially large laser systems. 
-Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including pivot tables and Visual Basic. 
-Excellent attention to detail in written correspondence, i.e., written logs, permits, procedures and briefing materials. Professional phone, radio, and face-to-face communication skills and experience with virtual meeting platforms and speaking and presenting in front of small to medium audiences. 
-Excellent multitasking and coordination efforts in a fast-paced and time-critical environment. 

Special Requirements  
Pre-Placement Medical Exam: A job-related pre-placement medical examination may be required. 
Pre-employment drug test:  External applicant(s) selected for this position will be required to pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Subcontractor. 
Anticipated Government Clearance Level: Q (position will be cleared to this level). Applicants selected will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matters. In addition, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold multiple citizenships (U.S. and another country), you may be required to renounce your non-U.S. citizenship before a DOE L or Q clearance will be processed/granted. 

 North Wind offers a competitive pay and benefits package to include health, life, and disability insurance benefits, 401(k) with company match, generous paid leave, and tuition reimbursement for eligible employees. As a company, we are committed to employee wellness, professional development, and work-life balance. We value safety, reliability, and commitment to our people! For more information about our benefits or hiring philosophy, visit the North Wind Career Opportunities Page. 

 Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The nature of those accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Helpline 1-208-528-8714 for assistance. 

 
North Wind is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, religion or other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. 

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