Posting TitleResearch Technician - Electric Vehicles, Advanced Vehicles, and Charging Infrastructure

.

LocationCO - Golden

.

Position TypeRegular

.

Hours Per Week40

.

Working at NRELThe National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.

Job Description

The Advanced Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure (AVCI) Group in the Center for Integrated Mobility Sciences has a new opening for a full-time research technician.

The ideal candidate will design, procure, configure, assemble, build, document, operate, inspect, maintain, and calibrate equipment and systems needed to execute successful research experiments and produce required research results in technology areas of electric vehicle charging, EV charging infrastructure and power electronics. The ideal candidate will have some combination of the following experience:

Expert experience with lockout tagout, work controls and electrical safety in a workplace electrical laboratory environmentCompetent and adept at setting up low voltage electrical data acquisition systems, telemetry and instrumentation, control and monitoring systems, communications systems, sensors and networkingFamiliarity with computer communication protocols including but not limited to canbus, modbus and TCP/IP and troubleshooting communication linksProficient in use of digital multimeters, clamp meters, oscilloscopes and power quality metersExperience reading scientific, engineering and laboratory equipment plans, schematics and datasheets and understanding component operationDemonstrated ability to follow and execute detailed technical processes and procedures and identify and fix deficiencies without supervisionExperience with identifying specifications and purchasing electrical components associated with electric vehicles and electric vehicle service equipmentAbility to manage inventory of spare parts, electrical components, wiring and dataloggersAble to maintain test and scientific equipment and instruments requiring calibrationAbility to operate computers, MS Office, tools, equipment, and vehicles

The candidate will also become familiar with a wide variety of existing lab equipment such as 3D printers, electric vehicles, electric vehicle service equipment, and associated standards, such as SAE J1772, ISO 15118, OCPP v1.6 and 2.X and CCS and NACS specifications. The candidate will assist team members in the Advanced Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure (AVCI) group as well members of other NREL groups to research, develop, demonstrate and characterize new technologies in electric vehicle charging applications such as high power EV charging, DC power distribution, grid-tied power electronics and smart charging and V2X technologies.

Level III - Full knowledge of specialized focused support functions. Complete acquaintance with and understanding of the general and detailed aspects of the supported activities, and their practical applications to problems and situations ordinarily encountered. Proficient in research techniques and practices. Solid communication, interpersonal, project management and customer relations skills.

Level II - Substantial acquaintance with and understanding of general aspects of the job with a broad understanding of the detailed aspects of the job. Intermediate to advanced skills in research techniques and practices. Good written, verbal, team, interpersonal and communication skills

.

Basic QualificationsLevel III - High School Diploma or equivalent and 7 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Associate's Degree or certification program of comparable scope and 5 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience.

Level II - High School Diploma or equivalent and 4 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Associate's Degree or certification program of comparable scope and 2 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required QualificationsCustomer-service-oriented skills and technical background necessary to interface with other engineers, project managers, scientific Principal Investigators and internal/external clients and collaboratorsAbility to keep a clean and organized lab space

Preferred Qualifications

· Adept coding and scripting ability in MATLAB and Simulink software

· Demonstrated proficiency operating and troubleshooting Opal-RT real time simulators

· Familiarity with lightweight CAD software such as Microsoft Visio

· Develops documentation for technical work process and upkeeps databases without prompting

· Hands-on experience with a range of machine shop equipment including mills, lathes, band saws, and proficiency with common hand tools. Capacity to fabricate custom components using 3D printing, computer-numerically controlled (CNC) or manual milling machines

· Demonstrated research capability and initiative to solve challenging problems

· Good interpersonal, communication, writing and documentation skills

· Creativity, innovation, adaptability, as well as the ability to work well in a team

.

Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)Job Profile: Research Technician III / Annual Salary Range: $55,400 - $91,400

Job Profile: Research Technician II / Annual Salary Range: $49,100 - $78,600

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits SummaryBenefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

.

EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

EEO is the Law | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Reasonable Accommodations

E-Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.