RF Electronics Technician III or Technical Specialist I-III

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a diverse, exciting, and prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the famous Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail.

The NRAO is seeking a NRAO announces an opening for a hands-on technical staff member who will assist with assembly, installation and maintenance of VLA and VLBA radio frequency modules, power supply systems, and related electronics and will also assist with the day to day operation of the VLA and VLBA. This is a “Safety Sensitive” position. In-house training and some external training will be provided.

The position will be based at the Science Operations Center in Socorro, NM on the campus of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (www.nmt.edu). Socorro is a small, historical town in the Rio Grande Valley, 75 miles south of Albuquerque. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, Socorro and surrounding areas offer ample access to outdoor recreation.

What You Will be Doing:

Under minimum supervision, the position performs a variety of construction, test, maintenance, inspection, assembly, operation and data collection functions on assigned electronic equipment (such as frequency converters, reference generators, and power supplies), machines, and other scientific apparatus.  Work performed is generally reviewed by engineers or more senior technical specialists. Using standard electronic test equipment, the employee records unit performance, inspects, adjusts and replaces defective components. The candidate must be willing to respond to emergency call-outs during inclement weather, late night and or early morning hours. Other duties may be assigned.

Routine duties include:

●        Constructs, adapts and calibrates assigned equipment.

●        Troubleshoot, correct and repair malfunctioning equipment.

●        Conduct various tests or experiments which may require modifications in test setups or procedures.

●        May record, analyze, and interpret test data.

●        Recommends changes required to achieve functional requirements of the units.

●        Follows project schedules set by supervisors.

●        Demonstrates proactive compliance with all NRAO policies and procedures.

●        May have other duties as assigned.

Work Environment

Work typically takes place in an electronics shop; employees are also required to work outdoors in inclement weather and at heights when accessing an antenna. Candidates must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds and work at heights of 100 feet. Candidates must be able to work at bench either sitting or standing for sustained periods. Visual acuity (corrected is acceptable) and manual dexterity is necessary to perform work. Successful applicants will be required to do some work at the VLA site, which is approximately 7,000’ in elevation.

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Who You Are:

●        You have an Associate’s Degree or equivalent in Electronics or a High School diploma or GED and equivalent combination of education and experience.

●        While not required you may have at least two years of related experience. Qualified candidates with sufficient experience may be considered for classification at one of the Technical Specialist levels. 

Competency Summary

Candidates must be self-motivated, possess the ability to communicate with others, must be meticulous and able to perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time. Candidates must have good mechanical aptitude and ability to understand wiring diagrams and schematics. The individual must have a strong foundation in electronics and be able to work safely with hand and power tools. Candidates must be able to operate a personal computer and must be able to operate a motorized vehicle in a safe manner. The ability to read and interpret policy and safety manuals is required. The ability to write routine reports and correspondence and perform mathematical calculations is required. The position requires the application of practical principles of mechanics, electrical or related fields.

Skills and Abilities

Must possess a valid driver's license. Good vision is required, may be correctable. Must pass any applicable knowledge/skills tests including soldering small components using a microscope and ability to work with fiber optics.

Safety Sensitive

The selected candidate must successfully pass a post-offer, pre-employment/pre-placement drug screen.  Failure to pass the Screen will disqualify the candidate from employment consideration for a period of six months from the date of the results

Total Rewards:

The NRAO offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees’ overall well-being and career growth.

Compensation

The NRAO strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance.

Factors which may affect starting pay may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions. 

Benefits:

NRAO’s benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. NRAO provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. NRAO’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.

Application Instructions:

Select the “Apply” button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. Women, Minorities, Vietnam-Era Veterans, Disabled Veterans, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. To view our complete statement, please visit http://jobs.jobvite.com/nrao/jobs. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email to [email protected].

The NRAO is an equal opportunity employer (M/F/D/V)