Electronics Technician Lead

California Institute of Technology; Palomar Mountain (CA); Vor Ort; USD 50.000 - 58.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Health insurance

Dental

Vision insurance

Retirement savings plans

Generous paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Counseling access (non-benefit)

Zusammenfassung

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.

Qualifikationen

• 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.

Aufgaben

• 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.

Kenntnisse

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

Jobbeschreibung

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

This full-time, benefited position is located at Palomar Observatory and reports directly to the Electronics Group supervisor. Working independently or alongside other members of the observatory crew, the technician sets up, tests, and, when necessary, troubleshoots and repairs electronic systems. Additional responsibilities include scheduling instrument installs, setups, and removals, and organizing the electronic technicians' daily, weekly, and long-term work, including preventive maintenance work orders. The role requires effective communication with observatory management, staff, and the scientific customer base.

Essential Job Duties

• Install, set up, and verify instruments on telescopes, requiring the ability to lift a minimum of 25 lbs. Ensure instruments are installed correctly and in a timely manner for handoff to night support staff. These duties also include remote telescope startup and shutdown tasks, which will require driving observatory vehicles to various sites around the observatory.
• Given inputs from telescope schedules, task lists, customers, and management, plan and schedule Electronic Lab technician activities and projects, including instrument setups.
• Document and report to management on task progress and accuracy.
• Plan, schedule, and distribute lab preventive maintenance work orders (PMs), and maintain PM completion statistics records.
• Perform cryogenic maintenance, such as cryogen transfer and vacuum insulation maintenance using turbo pumps on scientific instrumentation.
• Ensure dewar fills and outgassing rates are logged daily and retained in online format for trend analysis.
• Review and update electronic technician procedures, inventory, and logging documents, including online task scheduling and planning tools.
• Troubleshoot observatory electronic systems, as well as complex computer, network, and systems installations.
• Fabricate and repair both copper-based and fiber optic cables.
• Ensure electronic technician lab, storage areas, and observation floors are clean and orderly.
• Establish an inventory of tools and equipment, and maintain/track stock levels to ensure parts are available.
• Ensure electronic technicians follow proper safety procedures and are properly equipped with safety gear.
• Assist the electronic group supervisor in group short- and long‑term strategic planning; provide input on priorities for Electronic Lab activities.
• Report on group task progress and performance regularly.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Two to four years of technical experience, including at least one year at an optical observatory.
• Working knowledge of analog and digital electronics and electrical systems.
• Basic computer skills, including hardware maintenance.
• Understands how to read schematic diagrams.
• Skilled in electronic construction techniques for cabling, wiring, and replacement of components.
• Skilled in the safe and efficient use of hand and power tools such as drill press, saws, and hole punches.
• Can demonstrate ability to use electronic test instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, DVM, and logic analyzers.
• Able to safely work at elevated or confined spaces.
• Able to work at site elevation of 6000 ft.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 25 lbs.
• Successful completion of background check and physical exam.
• Must have a valid driver's license at the time of hire and maintain it throughout the course of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Skilled in the use of vacuum systems and safe cryogenic procedures.
• Copper, fiber, and wireless network setup and maintenance experience.
• Computer literate and knows how to use schematic capture software.
• Observatory electronics experience.
• Experience with scientific electronic systems.

Required Documents

• Resume.

Hiring Range

$35.75 - $41.75 Per Hour

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

Benefits

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

• competitive compensation
• health
• dental
• vision insurance
• retirement savings plans
• generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc)
• tuition reimbursement
• Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time.

Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.

EEO Statement

Caltech is an equal opportunity employer and, as a federal contractor, takes affirmative action to employ qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Disability Accommodations

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.

If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail].

Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail].