Engineering Technician (Mechanical), IS-0802-09 in Cambridge

Energy Jobline ZR; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Technician to support the engineering team in Cambridge. You will assist in assembling, testing, and maintaining optical instruments, ensuring quality and precision. Candidates should have technical work experience in a laboratory and familiarity with mechanical assembly tasks. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge astronomical research.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance

403b retirement plan

Flexible spending account

Qualifications

• One year of full-time experience at GS-8 or equivalent level.
• Technical work experience in a research lab environment.
• Knowledge of mechanical assembly and precision alignment techniques.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the assembly and testing of mechanical assemblies.
• Operate calibration equipment for assembly and alignment.
• Review designs for assembly ease and machinability.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and assist with inspections.

Skills

Understanding of engineering principles

Mechanical assembly skills

Ability to operate CNC machines

Knowledge of NASA standards

Education

Graduate education or master's degree

Tools

CNC milling machines

Precision electronic tools

Job description

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Job Description

OPENING DATE: October 30, 2025

CLOSING DATE: December 1, 2025

TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)

DIVISION: Central Engineering

LOCATION: Cambridge, MA

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position requires access to export-controlled work. The candidate must be a U.S. person, permanent or from a country eligible to be approved on an export license. Candidate must be able to be approved on an export license.

Applicants who applied to 25-134 will still be under considerations and do not need to reapply.

What are Trust Fund Positions? Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants, and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include health, dental & vision insurance, life insurance, transit/commuter benefits, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, annual and sick leave, family friendly leave, 403b retirement plan, discounts for Smithsonian memberships, museum stores and restaurants, credit union, flexible spending account (health & dependent care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass pre-employment background check and subsequent background investigation, as required.
• Complete a probationary period if applicable.
• Maintain a bank account for direct deposit/electronic transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.

SUMMARY

This is the position of Mechanical Engineering Technician, Central Engineering Department (C.E.), Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The purpose of the position is to provide support to the engineering and scientific staff engaged in the development of optical instruments, predominantly in the areas of mechanical assembly and design support.

MAJOR DUTIES

• Assists in the overall assembly, alignment, and test of mechanical assemblies to ensure conformance with performance requirements.
• Assists in the operation and calibration of laboratory support equipment used in assembly and alignment. Disassembles, cleans, lubricates, and reassembles optical stages and other precision equipment. Operates and maintains laboratory cryogenic and high vacuum systems.
• Performs basic tasks in support of mechanical assembly, including cleaning parts, mixing epoxies, and assisting with the fabrication and modification of parts using manual and automated equipment. Supports cleanroom operations as needed.
• Working from drawings, CAD models and detailed procedures, reviews designs for ease of assembly and machinability. Recommends design and procedural modifications to satisfy these criteria, and works cooperatively with the design engineer to achieve a design that best satisfies the technical, cost, and schedule requirements of the project.
• Provides hands‑on assistance and makes recommendations on approaches to resolve assembly problems that may arise in the field. May be required to travel to customer/contractor facilities or remote telescope locations to support the installation and testing of hardware.
• Assists lab manager with maintaining and configuring the general laboratory environment using cranes, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment. Also assists with maintaining laboratory thermal ovens and high vacuum equipment.
• Assists QA manager with in‑process inspections to ensure compliance with NASA standards in fabrication processes, verifying component placement, mounting, and engineering change orders (ECOs). Assists with incoming inspections of electrical and mechanical parts. Assists in non‑conforming material disposition, referring issues to design engineers and the QA manager. Maintains detailed inspection records per AS9100 standards with QA oversight.
• Performs other duties as required.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications: One year of full‑time experience at the GS‑8 or equivalent level that is close or similar to the work of this position, including technical work experience in a research lab environment.

Specialized Experience

• Examples of qualifying specialized experience include technical work in drafting, surveying, construction estimating, physical science, mathematics, aerospace, architecture, chemicals, electrical or mechanical systems, mining, petroleum, or nuclear systems.
• Experience in a trade or craft may be credited as specialized experience when the work provided intensive knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents. Examples are trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities such as:
  • Planner and estimator who analyzed designs for production purposes.
  • Instrument maker or model maker who performed design or development work on devices fabricated.

Education: Graduate education or a master's degree meets the requirements for GS‑9. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience are also qualifying.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required

• Demonstrated ability to follow specified procedural instructions necessary to maintain quality control.
• Knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of standard procedures to analyze schematic drawings, detailed mechanical assembly drawings, parts lists, methods, and specifications to support assembly.
• Basic knowledge of precision alignment techniques, with an aptitude for using and adapting available specialized equipment for optimum performance.
• Knowledge and ability to perform mechanical assembly tasks, manipulate, assemble and package delicate, fragile, and critical parts without damage in a laboratory environment.
• Knowledge of and skill in standard machining operations; ability to operate and program multi‑axis CNC milling machines.
• Familiarity with inspection processes (such as IPC 610, 620, or 630) or NASA standards (J‑standard, 8739.4 & 8739.6, ESD, S2020, AS9100D).
• Demonstrated familiarity with cleanroom operations, such as an understanding of contamination sources and adherence to cleanroom protocols.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and document data gained from the inspection of parts and materials.
• Ability to select and utilize a variety of specialized precision electronics tools and inspection equipment, such as calipers, micrometers, comparative measuring gauges (height, depth, thread, and radius); optical comparator and CMM experience is .
• Effectively communicates and documents lab needs and project challenges to CE supervisory staff and project management.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

What To Expect Next

Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [e-mail]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/.

Application Instructions

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