Research Engineering Technician

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

LIGO Laboratory (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) seeks a highly motivated and skilled Research Engineering Technician to join its team.

This position is an in-person role located in Pasadena, California.

The Research Engineering Technician will primarily offer support to engineers and scientists working in our Caltech, Pasadena laboratories, where they would work under supervision, with others and after appropriate training on their own.

The Research Engineering Technician will have the opportunity for professional development and the chance to work on interesting and cutting-edge projects in a world-leading organization, by offering the person the opportunity to make a hands-on and meaningful contribution to LIGO's overall mission. The person will also interface with other groups on the Caltech campus, fostering collaborations with researchers and engineers working in different fields.

LIGO Laboratory is a National Science Foundation major facility dedicated to observing the newly discovered gravitational-wave universe. Jointly operated by the California Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the LIGO Laboratory operates world-leading observatories near Richland, WA and Baton Rouge, LA as well as R&D centers on the Caltech and MIT campuses. The LIGO Laboratory's mission spans a broad and vibrant array of activities related to gravitational-wave physics and astronomy, including detector operations, R&D toward detector improvements, gravitational-wave astrophysics, observatory operations, and education and public outreach.

For more information, please visit the Laboratory website: www.ligo.caltech.edu

Essential Job Duties

• Assemble, calibrate, test, operate, organize and maintain laboratory instrumentation and supplies (for example vacuum chambers, clean room(s), test equipment, tools) to support research and development efforts typically working under minimal supervision on semi-routine and advanced assignments.
• Coordinate procurement of necessary supplies, parts and materials required for the setup, operation and maintenance of instruments and capabilities; will include liaising as "lead" worker with (in-house and external) workshops and vendors (e.g. orient, train, assign and check work, counsel and advise).
• Carry out precision mechanical assembly and build of complex instruments inside clean rooms and elsewhere following detailed assembly documentation including engineering drawings, working in a team and individually.
• Organize and conduct complex lab procedures and/or experiments which includes setting up equipment; coordinating preparation of samples, specimens, etc. as well as recording observations, performing sophisticated data analysis and collaborate with scientists and engineers in the group.
• Frequently add value to the development of test procedures and evaluation methodologies and propose new methods to improve these processes.
• Support observatories as needed and directed, either remotely or on-site.
• Keeping the assigned laboratories stocked and organized.
• Organize and perform pre-cleaning and cleaning of machined parts, baking the cleaned parts in either vacuum or air bake ovens and handling clean assembly of outgoing loads.
• Clean, pack and deliver parts on campus and pack and prepare items for shipping to the observatories.
• Oversee general laboratory safety (along with safety officers and delegates) and provide safety leadership and guidance to students and/or support personnel.
• On occasion it will be necessary for this individual to interface with a dispersed team across the LIGO Laboratory (4 locations). Travel to the observatories will be required on occasion, up to 25% of the time on average.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• An Associates Degree in a technical field e.g. Mechanics or Electronics. We will accept four years of workplace experience in lieu of a degree.
• Two or more years of workplace experience in an engineering, manufacturing or other relevant industry.
• Proficiency in standard computing applications (e.g. Word, Excel, Web applications).
• The ability to read/understand mechanical and electrical drawings and technical specifications and assembly instructions.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, a team attitude, and a high degree of professional discipline.
• Must be able to lift up to 35 lbs.
• Must be able to travel by airplane, up to 25% annually, to other LIGO sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• BS degree in a technical field e.g. Mechanics or Electronics.
• Experience in instrument design assembly and working with ultra-high vacuum systems.
• Experience at working in a large project R&D environment is preferred where technical skills were applied to solve complex problems.
• Basic machining skills.

Required Documents

• A cover letter summarizing your relevant skills and explaining why you'd like to work at LIGO Lab.
• Resume.