Principal Technologist

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC is seeking a Principal Technologist in Santa Barbara to lead fabrication, assembly, deployment and operation of advanced prototype systems in a fast-paced R&D environment. You will collaborate with scientists and engineers to build and test one-of-a-kind solutions under evolving requirements.

Key responsibilities include design/fabrication, prototype parts production, metrology inspection, and on-site/off-site deployment.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in related field with 9+ years related experience or a High School diploma with 11+ years related experience.
• Primary work location is the Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) in Santa Barbara, CA.
• Flexible work schedule: 5-8, 9-80, or 4-10 work-weeks.
• Pre-placement physical exam including drug screen per MSTS policy with random testing.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Assist in design, fabrication and deployment of components and systems for R&D efforts.
• Fabricate prototype and short run parts and fixtures from sketches/drawings; create solid models and machine components.
• Inspect parts with measuring equipment (micrometers, calipers, gauges, CMM, microscopes, vision systems).
• Light electromechanical assembly of systems and subsystems.
• Plan work using standard techniques, guidelines, procedures and criteria; adapt as needed.
• Support on-site and remote field deployment; operate and troubleshoot experimental platforms.
• Create effective resolutions and improvements across mechanical and electrical systems.
• Perform manual machining, CNC programming/machining, Wire EDM; inspect, qualify and assemble in-house parts and COTS components.

Education

Associate degree in related field

High School diploma

Job description

Job Description

The Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) is seeking a highly capable Principal Technologist to support the fabrication, assembly, deployment and operation of advanced prototype systems in a fast-paced R&D environment. You will work closely with scientists and engineers to build, modify and test one-of-a-kind systems, often under evolving requirements.

Located in Santa Barbara, California, the Special Technologies Laboratory is a key satellite location within the NNSS and is responsive to NNSA nuclear security mission requirements and broader national security objectives. At STL “problem solving is in the DNA,” using a diverse team of experts composed of scientists, engineers, technicians, facilities specialists, academic collaborators, and professional support staff.

Responsibilities

• Assist in design, fabrication and deployment of components and systems in support of R&D efforts.
• Fabricate prototype and short run production parts and fixtures in a machine shop environment. This will involve working from conceptual sketches and drawings, generating solid models and fabrication of components.
• Inspect fabricated parts and systems with standard measuring equipment such as micrometers, calipers, gauges, contact and non-contact metrology equipment such as coordinate measuring machines, digital microscopes, and vision systems.
• Light electromechanically assembly of systems and subsystems.
• Plans and conducts work, that requires judgment in the evaluation, selection, application, adaptation, and modification of standard techniques, guidelines, procedures, and criteria.
• Support on site and remote field deployment and data collection activities, including setup, operation and troubleshooting of experimental platforms and systems in operational environments
• Create and ensure effective resolutions and improvements across mechanical and electrical systems, adapting quickly to changing requirements and contributing to iterative design improvements.
• Performs work that involves Manual machining, multi axis CNC programming and machining, Wire EDM programming and operation. Inspection, qualification and assembly of in-house fabricated parts as well as COTS components.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in field related to the position plus at least 9 years’ progressive related experience or High School diploma plus 11 years’ progressive related experience.
• The primary work location will be at the Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) located in Santa Barbara, CA.
• Work schedule for this position will be negotiated with the supervisor; employees can work 5-8, 9-80, or 4-10 work-weeks.
• Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Department of Energy Q Clearance

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2, “Personnel Security”. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

Annual salary range for this position is: $83,491.20 - $125,236.80.

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity.