Electronics Technician Lead

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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.