Electronics Lab Lead: Telescope Systems & Cryogenics

California Institute of Technology; Palomar Mountain (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental

Vision insurance

Retirement savings plans

Generous paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Counseling access (non-benefit)

Job summary

Caltech is seeking a capable Electronics Team Technician to join the Palomar Observatory. The role involves setting up, testing, and occasionally repairing electronic systems, scheduling instrument installations, and coordinating preventive maintenance with the electronics group.

Communication with management and scientific customers is essential. The incumbent will perform cryogenic maintenance, gas and vacuum tasks, document progress, and fabricate cables.

Qualifications

• Two to four years of technical experience in electronics or related field.
• Working knowledge of analog and digital electronics and electrical systems.
• Basic computer skills, including hardware maintenance.
• Ability to read schematic diagrams.
• Skilled in electronic construction techniques for cabling, wiring, and replacement of components.
• Safe and efficient use of hand and power tools such as drill press, saws, and hole punches.
• Experience using electronic test instrumentation (oscilloscopes, DVM, logic analyzers).
• Able to lift minimum 25 lbs and work at elevated or confined spaces.

Responsibilities

• Install, set up, and verify instruments on telescopes and drive observatory vehicles as needed.
• Plan and schedule Electronic Lab technician activities and projects with instrument setups.
• Document and report task progress to management.
• Schedule and maintain preventive maintenance work orders (PMs) and track completion statistics.
• Perform cryogenic maintenance and vacuum insulation tasks using turbo pumps.
• Log dewar fills and outgassing rates daily for trend analysis.
• Update procedures, inventory, and logging documents and use scheduling tools.
• Troubleshoot observatory electronic systems and complex installations.
• Fabricate and repair copper and fiber optic cables.
• Keep lab, storage, and observation floors clean and orderly.
• Inventory tools and equipment and manage stock levels.
• Ensure safety procedures and PPE are followed.
• Assist supervisor with short- and long-term planning; input on priorities.
• Report on group task progress and performance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Read schematic diagrams

Analog and digital electronics

Hardware maintenance

Oscilloscopes, DVM and logic analyzers

Safe use of hand and power tools

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Digital multimeter (DVM)

Logic analyzers

Turbo pumps

Vacuum systems

Schematic capture software

Job description

Caltech is seeking a capable Electronics Team Technician to join the Palomar Observatory. The role involves setting up, testing, and occasionally repairing electronic systems, scheduling instrument installations, and coordinating preventive maintenance with the electronics group.

Communication with management and scientific customers is essential. The incumbent will perform cryogenic maintenance, gas and vacuum tasks, document progress, and fabricate cables.