RF Electronics Technician III or Technical Specialist I-III (5006)

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-motivat