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Job Summary
Position is full-time, benefited, and located at Palomar Observatory. Position works under the direct supervision of the observatory Electronics Group supervisor. Position will work alone or with other members of the observatory crew to install, test, and, when necessary, learn to repair electronic systems. Duties include, but are not limited to, instrument installs, setups, and removals. Duties will also include cryogenic handling, troubleshooting, and repair of basic electronics systems, including scientific instrumentation, computing systems, and other observatory electronic systems. Position is expected to communicate effectively with the observatory’s management, staff, and scientific customer base. Work schedule to be flexible and include weekend/holiday work.
Essential Job Duties
- Install, set up, and verify instruments on telescopes, which require lifting equipment and driving observatory vehicles to various sites across the observatory. Ensure instruments are installed correctly and promptly for handoff to the night support staff.
- Perform tasks at the direction of the Electrical Engineers and/or Observatory Electrician to include basic wiring and soldering.
- Given inputs from the existing telescope schedules, customers, and management, help plan, document, monitor, and report the status of activities and projects, including instrument setups and tasks.
- Perform cryogenic maintenance, such as cryogen transfer and vacuum maintenance using turbo pumps on scientific instrumentation.
- Review and update electronic technician procedures, inventory, and logging documents.
- Participate in the troubleshooting of all observatory electronic systems, including instrumentation, computer hardware, network, and electrical systems, which requires driving observatory vehicles to various sites across the observatory.
- Help ensure the electronic technician lab, storage areas, and observing floors are clean and orderly.
- Other duties as assigned, including snow abatement on domes and at the observatory.
Basic Qualifications
- Basic computer skills, including hardware maintenance.
- Basic understanding and interest in electronics.
- Able to safely work in elevated or confined spaces.
- Able to work at a site elevation of 6000’.
- Must be able to lift 25 lbs.
- Must have a valid driver's license at the time of hire and maintain it throughout the course of employment.
- Successful completion of background check and physical exam.
Preferred Qualifications
- 3-5 years of electronic technician experience.
- Ability to use electronic test instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, DVM, and logic analyzers.
- Working knowledge of analog and digital electronics and electrical systems.
- Skilled in electronic construction techniques for cabling, wiring, and replacement of components.
- Some college coursework is preferred.
- Understands how to read schematic diagrams.
- 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.
- Cover Letter.
Hiring Range
$27.75 - $32.00 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.
As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. 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.