Precision Cleaning Technician

Columbus Technologies and Services; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbus Technologies and Services is seeking a Precision Cleaning Technician for NASA JPL in Pasadena, CA. The role supports the Mechanical, Packaging, and Test Section, performing precision cleaning, assembly and testing of electro‑mechanical hardware for R&D and flight components.

You will follow laboratory protocols, handle cleaning chemicals, operate ultrasonic cleaners, and help maintain calibration records.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or higher with related training and 3–4 years of general work experience.
• Associates or Bachelor's degree with related experience may be considered.
• Experience with cleaning mechanical hardware and following cleaning procedures and practices.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and perform precision parts cleaning, assembly, testing, and gas sampling on R&D and flight components.
• Ensure processes and environment comply with laboratory protocols and government regulations.
• Handle chemicals and cleaning solutions such as isopropyl alcohol, acetone, and detergents.
• Operate ultrasonic cleaners and perform related cleaning and testing tasks.
• Maintain part traceability and calibration records for equipment.

Skills

Cleaning procedures

Mechanical hardware assembly

Flight hardware handling

Independent work

Effective communication

Travel availability

Education

High School diploma

Associates degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Hand tools

Soldering irons

Tube bending and flaring

Machining (drill press, band saw, grinder)

Pressure system fabrication

Ultrasonic cleaners

Job description

OVERVIEW

• Must be a US Citizen
• Duration - 12 month contract position with potential to be extended or converted
• W2 with full benefits, 9/80 Work Schedule
• Customer and contract specific training will be required and provided.
• Location - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA (onsite)
• Offer contingent on ability to successfully pass a background check and drug screen
• The US base pay range for this full-time position is $30-45/hr+ benefits.Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

JOB DESCRIPTION

As the Precision Cleaning Technician, you will be working for JPL's Mechanical, Packaging, and Test Section which maintains technical support facilities and resources that provide the services required to fabricate, assemble, clean and test electro‑mechanical developmental and flight hardware. This Section develops and matures equipment and technologies, which enable and enhance our fabrication and environmental test capability for current and future missions.

• Responsible for interacting with customers and quality assurance in preparing and working from test procedures to perform precision parts cleaning, assembly, testing, and gas sampling operations on R&D and flight components and systems.
• Ensure that the process, product, and environment comply with Laboratory protocols, government regulations, and professional standards.
• Will regularly handle and work with chemicals and cleaning solutions such as Isopropyl alcohol, Ethyl Alcohol, Acetone, Vertrel, Brulin detergent, Oakite or other high‑alkaline detergent.
• Will perform general part cleaning processes with detergents and degreasers.
• Will operate ultrasonic cleaners.
• Will perform passivation and handle acidic solutions.
• Will be required to load hardware or equipment into thermal vacuum or oven chambers and follow procedures for safely operating the chambers.
• Will be required to follow detailed procedures in support of chemical and particle count analyses.
• Will be required to maintain part traceability for large batches of parts (>100 parts at a time).
• Will be required to work and follow all protocol for working in ISO‑5 cleanroom, including but not limited to wearing full cleanroom suit.
• Will help keep calibration/certification records for equipment and notify area lead of any equipment requiring calibration or maintenance.
• May be required to support the Propulsion and Fluid Systems Group with pressure system fabrication, test, and certification.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Typically requires a High School diploma with 3 to 4 years of general work experience; related required training; or Associates with 2 years of related experience; or Bachelors with 1 years of related experience.
• Ability to understand cleaning of mechanical hardware, and follow hardware cleaning procedures and practices using all types of cleaning fluids, microscopes and automated particle counters.
• Must have general understanding and experience in the following areas: mechanical hardware assembly and test, installation and test of electronic components; working with flight hardware.
• Understanding of applicable policies, procedures, and practices in handling Flight Hardware.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel to work in distant locations, domestic and/or international, as needed.

DESIRED SKILLS

• Experience working in a class 100 to 100,000 cleanroom environment.
• Assembly/dis-assembly and operation of test equipment.
• Use of all hand tools, soldering irons, tube bending and flaring, some machining experience (drill press, band saw, grinder) and pressure system fabrication methods.
• Orbital tube welding experience.
• Good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity, necessary to work with miniaturized systems or components.
• Extensive knowledge of computer applications (e.g., spreadsheets, databases, word processing, web searches) for component information.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, age, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. As a federal contractor, Columbus participates in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.