Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Xenon Technician

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking an experienced Xenon Technician to operate, maintain, and optimize xenon handling systems for research and industrial applications. The Xenon Technician is responsible for safe cryogenic operations, gas purification and recovery, leak testing, system commissioning, and day-to-day support of detectors and experimental hardware. This role requires hands-on expertise in noble gas plumbing, vacuum systems, cryogenics, instrumentation, and strict adherence to safety and SOPs. Ideal candidates demonstrate troubleshooting skills, strong documentation practices, and the ability to work cross-functionally with scientists, engineers, and facilities teams.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Laboratory Technician (cryogenics / gas handling)
Mechanical or Electrical Technician with vacuum/cryogenic experience
Field Service Technician in gas processing or semiconductor equipment

Advancement To:

Senior Xenon/Cold Gas Systems Technician
Cryogenics Systems Engineer
Detector Systems Engineer / Research Technician Lead
Facility Operations Lead (low-background or cryogenic labs)

Lateral Moves:

Vacuum Systems Specialist
Gas Purification/Hydride Processing Technician
High Voltage/Detector Commissioning Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate and maintain xenon gas handling systems, including compressors, cryocoolers, gas storage vessels, and recirculation pumps, ensuring continuous, safe, and contamination-free supply of high-purity xenon for experiments and production.
Implement and monitor xenon purification processes (getter systems, cold traps, gas filters, molecular sieves) to maintain impurity levels (O2, H2O, N2, hydrocarbons) below experimental specifications; perform periodic performance evaluation and replacement schedules.
Conduct xenon recovery and inventory management operations using compressors, cryogenic recovery dewars, and automated control sequences; maintain accurate chain-of-custody and inventory logs for high-value xenon stocks.
Commission, calibrate, and troubleshoot cryogenic systems including pulse tube refrigerators, Gifford-McMahon coolers, and liquid nitrogen transfer systems; monitor temperature stability and implement corrective actions.
Assemble, leak-check, and certify vacuum systems, ultra-high vacuum (UHV) components, and welded or brazed piping as required for noble gas containment; perform helium mass spectrometer leak detection and document results.
Maintain and troubleshoot detector-facing plumbing and feedthroughs (gas inlets, bellows, valves, and mass flow controllers) to ensure gas purity and pressure control without introducing particulate or radiological contaminants.
Install and service gas analyzers, residual gas analyzers (RGA), gas chromatographs (GC), and mass spectrometers for real-time impurity monitoring and trend analysis; interpret analytical data to guide purification actions.
Deploy and maintain gas and cryogenic safety systems: oxygen deficiency monitoring, pressure relief, emergency isolation valves, and overpressure protection; ensure system compliance with applicable codes and lab safety standards.
Support high-voltage systems and cable routing related to xenon detectors, including HV feedthrough maintenance, grounding verification, and mitigation of microdischarge events that can impact xenon purity or detector operation.
Execute routine preventative maintenance plans for xenon handling infrastructure, produce maintenance checklists, and coordinate scheduled downtimes to minimize impact on experimental timelines.
Develop, review, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs), lockout-tagout (LOTO) procedures, and work instructions specific to xenon operations; train staff and visitors on xenon hazards and safe handling practices.
Perform system upgrades and hardware modifications to improve xenon recovery efficiency, reduce leak rates, and enhance system automation using PLCs, DCS, or custom control software.
Lead controlled gas transfers, pressure testing, and controlled cooldown/warmup procedures for vessels and detectors, ensuring thermal stress and contamination risks are minimized.
Coordinate logistics and vendor relationships for specialty components (cryogenic fittings, stainless tubing, getters, high-purity valves), including procurement specifications and acceptance testing.
Conduct root cause analysis and corrective action on system failures or contamination events; implement design or process changes to prevent recurrence and communicate lessons learned to stakeholders.
Maintain detailed technical documentation: system drawings, as-built records, calibration certificates, maintenance histories, and change logs aligned with quality and audit requirements.
Perform on-call support, emergency xenon recovery, and incident response for off-hour failures, ensuring rapid mitigation of xenon loss and protection of detector integrity.
Collaborate with experimental scientists and engineers to plan system integration, mock transfers, and commissioning activities; provide realistic timelines and risk assessments for xenon-related operations.
Supervise contractors and external technicians performing cryogenic or vacuum work, ensuring work meets cleanroom, low-background, and safety requirements.
Execute contamination control measures (clean assembly techniques, particle control, radon mitigation strategies) when assembling or servicing xenon-facing components in cleanroom or glovebox environments.
Provide hands-on support for detector calibrations that require controlled xenon injections, tracer gas usage, or specialized gas mixtures; verify stable operating conditions during calibration campaigns.
Monitor and optimize xenon recirculation and flow distribution to ensure homogeneous purity throughout complex plumbing networks and multi-volume detectors.
Implement data acquisition (DAQ) interfaces and telemetry for xenon system parameters (pressure, temperature, flow, impurity levels) and contribute to real-time dashboards and automated alerting.
Stay current with regulatory and transportation requirements for high-purity noble gases, including DOT/IMDG rules, export controls, and hazardous materials shipping for large xenon consignments.
Participate in safety reviews, hazard analyses (HAZOP), and continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing xenon usage, improving recovery rates, and lowering operational cost.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
Assist with inventory forecasting, cost tracking, and budgeting for xenon and cryogenic consumables.
Help develop training materials, run training sessions, and mentor junior technicians in xenon operations and safety practices.
Liaise with safety, facilities, and procurement teams to coordinate lab modifications, controlled atmospheres, and space allocations required for xenon systems.
Support environmental monitoring and waste minimization efforts related to cryogenic liquids, contaminated sorbents, and gas purging operations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep experience with xenon handling systems: compressors, storage cylinders, recovery dewars, and cryogenic transfer protocols.
Hands-on expertise in cryogenics: pulse tube, cryocooler maintenance, cold-finger assemblies, and controlled cooldown/warmup procedures.
Proficiency with vacuum technology: turbomolecular and rotary pumps, UHV practices, flange sealing (CF, VCR), and helium leak detection.
Gas purification knowledge: hot/cold getters, gas filtration, molecular sieve selection, and impurity measurement techniques.
Gas analysis instrumentation: RGA, gas chromatograph, mass spectrometer operation, data interpretation and calibration.
High-voltage systems familiarity: HV feedthroughs, insulation testing, and mitigation of discharge issues in noble gas environments.
Instrumentation and controls: PLC/SCADA/EPICS basic programming, DAQ integration, telemetry, and alarm configuration.
Mechanical skills: stainless steel welding/tubing assembly, orbital welding oversight, VCR fitting assembly, and torque specification adherence.
Safety and compliance: oxygen-deficiency hazard mitigation, pressure safety (ASME/ANSI), hazardous materials shipping, and SOP development.
Troubleshooting and root cause analysis using structured methodologies (5 Whys, fishbone diagrams) and corrective action implementation.
Experience with cleanroom practices, particulate control, and radon mitigation strategies for low-background experiments.
Familiarity with nitrogen/argon/xenon cryogenic mixtures, diffusion and flow modeling basics, and gas dynamics in multi-volume systems.

Soft Skills

Strong written and verbal communication for technical documentation, procedure writing, and cross-functional coordination.
Detail-oriented and methodical approach to maintenance, assembly, and purity control in high-value gas systems.
Collaborative team player able to interface with scientists, engineers, safety officers, and external vendors.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to prioritize tasks under operational pressures and emergency situations.
Teaching and mentoring capability to train junior staff on SOPs, safety, and xenon-specific techniques.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate degree in Mechanical Technology, Instrumentation, Applied Physics, or related field with relevant hands‑on experience.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Applied Physics
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Instrumentation & Control
Cryogenic Technology
Materials Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7 years of hands-on experience with gas handling, cryogenics, or vacuum systems; prior xenon or noble gas experience strongly preferred.

Preferred: 3–5+ years specifically supporting xenon or other noble gas detectors/systems, documented experience with xenon recovery programs, vacuum leak testing, gas purification systems, and cryogenic commissioning.