Los Alamos National Laboratory
SFCC Special Materials Machinist Pipeline Program
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, us, 87545
Overview
Become part of a nationally critical mission. The Special Materials Machinist (SMM) Pipeline Program is a competitive and comprehensive pathway designed to prepare students for entry‑level machining roles at Los Alamos National Laboratory’s (LANL) premier plutonium facility – TA‑55. In collaboration with Santa Fe Community College (SFCC), this program equips students with the skills to operate in one of the most advanced, secure, and high‑tech manufacturing environments in the country.
What You Will Do Located in northern New Mexico, LANL is the nation’s premier plutonium center of excellence, leading the charge in:
Ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile
Pioneering research in national security, space, geophysics, renewable energy, medicine, supercomputing, and nanotechnology
Within LANL, the Pit Technologies (PT) Division, under the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP), plays a critical role in delivering top‑quality plutonium pit‑related products and services that are central to U.S. national security. As part of the PT‑2 Machining Group, SMMs are on the front lines of high‑precision, high‑consequence manufacturing of plutonium pits – the core components of modern thermonuclear weapons. Machinists work within TA‑55’s PF‑4 nuclear materials facility, supporting both manufacturing and surveillance operations.
You’ll contribute to:
Fabricating and qualifying nuclear weapons components
Performing technical machining on actinide materials
Supporting surveillance efforts to monitor and predict stockpile longevity
This tuition‑supported internship offers a direct pipeline into full‑time employment at LANL and includes:
Full reimbursement of tuition and fees
Hourly pay for class time at SFCC, time spent initiating security clearance, completing LANL training, and on‑site internships at LANL
Transition to full‑time employment upon graduation (contingent on eligibility)
What You Need Minimum Job Requirements
Complete employment application for Los Alamos National Laboratory
Include: Resume, Cover Letter, High School transcripts, College transcripts (if applicable)
GPA: 3.0 minimum (HS or college)
Complete enrollment application at Santa Fe Community College
Enrolled in Engineering Machining Technology AAS degree
Full‑time student status at SFCC (12–18 credits)
Minimum WorkKeys scores: Workplace Documents 3, Applied Math 3, Graphic Literacy 3
Eligible for Q‑level DOE security clearance
U.S. citizenship required
Training/Certificates Successful candidates will be expected to complete the Laboratory’s SMM Qualification Program upon hire.
Education/Experience High school diploma or equivalent required. Completion of the AAS degree program in 2 consecutive years with a 3.0 GPA as determined by SFCC academic process.
Desired Qualifications Computer skills:
Mechanically inclined
Proficiency in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams
Work Location Typical schedule will be in classroom instruction Monday through Thursday at Santa Fe Community College and on‑site internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory on Friday during Spring and Fall semesters. Summer and Winter breaks will require scheduled internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Commitment Upon successful completion of the program, participants must commit to three years of employment at LANL’s TA‑55 plutonium facility as a Special Materials Machinist. Failure to fulfill this commitment may result in repayment of tuition and fees to LANL.
Security Restrictions Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Iran, North Korea, and Russia who are not lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Benefits
PPO or high‑deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
Dental and vision insurance
Free basic life and disability insurance
Paid childbirth and parental leave
Award‑winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
Onsite gyms and wellness programs
Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50‑mile radius)
Directive Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance and obtaining such clearance requires U.S. citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
New‑Employment Drug Test The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new‑employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre‑offer.
Equal Opportunity Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to
applyhelp@lanl.gov
or call (505)‑664‑6947 opt. 3.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
What You Will Do Located in northern New Mexico, LANL is the nation’s premier plutonium center of excellence, leading the charge in:
Ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile
Pioneering research in national security, space, geophysics, renewable energy, medicine, supercomputing, and nanotechnology
Within LANL, the Pit Technologies (PT) Division, under the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP), plays a critical role in delivering top‑quality plutonium pit‑related products and services that are central to U.S. national security. As part of the PT‑2 Machining Group, SMMs are on the front lines of high‑precision, high‑consequence manufacturing of plutonium pits – the core components of modern thermonuclear weapons. Machinists work within TA‑55’s PF‑4 nuclear materials facility, supporting both manufacturing and surveillance operations.
You’ll contribute to:
Fabricating and qualifying nuclear weapons components
Performing technical machining on actinide materials
Supporting surveillance efforts to monitor and predict stockpile longevity
This tuition‑supported internship offers a direct pipeline into full‑time employment at LANL and includes:
Full reimbursement of tuition and fees
Hourly pay for class time at SFCC, time spent initiating security clearance, completing LANL training, and on‑site internships at LANL
Transition to full‑time employment upon graduation (contingent on eligibility)
What You Need Minimum Job Requirements
Complete employment application for Los Alamos National Laboratory
Include: Resume, Cover Letter, High School transcripts, College transcripts (if applicable)
GPA: 3.0 minimum (HS or college)
Complete enrollment application at Santa Fe Community College
Enrolled in Engineering Machining Technology AAS degree
Full‑time student status at SFCC (12–18 credits)
Minimum WorkKeys scores: Workplace Documents 3, Applied Math 3, Graphic Literacy 3
Eligible for Q‑level DOE security clearance
U.S. citizenship required
Training/Certificates Successful candidates will be expected to complete the Laboratory’s SMM Qualification Program upon hire.
Education/Experience High school diploma or equivalent required. Completion of the AAS degree program in 2 consecutive years with a 3.0 GPA as determined by SFCC academic process.
Desired Qualifications Computer skills:
Mechanically inclined
Proficiency in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams
Work Location Typical schedule will be in classroom instruction Monday through Thursday at Santa Fe Community College and on‑site internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory on Friday during Spring and Fall semesters. Summer and Winter breaks will require scheduled internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Commitment Upon successful completion of the program, participants must commit to three years of employment at LANL’s TA‑55 plutonium facility as a Special Materials Machinist. Failure to fulfill this commitment may result in repayment of tuition and fees to LANL.
Security Restrictions Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Iran, North Korea, and Russia who are not lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Benefits
PPO or high‑deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
Dental and vision insurance
Free basic life and disability insurance
Paid childbirth and parental leave
Award‑winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
Onsite gyms and wellness programs
Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50‑mile radius)
Directive Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance and obtaining such clearance requires U.S. citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
New‑Employment Drug Test The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new‑employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre‑offer.
Equal Opportunity Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to
applyhelp@lanl.gov
or call (505)‑664‑6947 opt. 3.
#J-18808-Ljbffr