Instrumentation Technician

Job Title: Instrumentation Technician

Location: Wright Patterson AFB/ Dayton, OH

Canvas, Inc. is seeking an entry-level Instrumentation Technician for work at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. This position supports the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), which provides wind tunnel testing and experimentation services for the AFRL Aerospace Sciences Division. The testing facility consists of a full spectrum of wind tunnel types and sizes that all require complex mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and high-pressure systems to generate the various air speeds involved in the research.

Instrumentation Technicians work as a part of a larger team that may consist of Project Engineers, Aerospace Engineers, Mechanical Technicians, Buyers and outside customers. Together these personnel work toward the completion of Aerodynamic Validation Research.

Job Responsibilities / Abilities:

• Support test preparation/execution/breakdown schedules generated by the test project engineers and guided by the Test Matrix.
• Design, prepare, fabricate, assemble, install, modify, checkout, maintain, calibrate, operate, analyze, and conduct tear-down activities associated with various instrumentation systems as well as document those efforts. These systems are typically prototype models comprised of thermocouples, heat transfer gages, pressure transducers, acoustic pickup transducers, accelerometers, anemometers, load cells, and strain gage balances internal to the model.
• Calibrate and install various sensors on the test article and/or wind tunnel as well as document those efforts. Calibrations shall be done on-site and involve calibrating sensor output levels against specification limits. Typical sensors used are accelerometers, microphones, pressure transducers, strain gage balances, heat transfer gages, and thermocouples.
• Learn and be trained by senior technicians in this somewhat specialized niche of instrumentation and electronics. Current technicians each have more than 30 years of experience in Aerospace instrumentation and electronics. The candidate is expected to bring new techniques and ideas to the workplace, but also remain coachable and decrease the learning curve for job specific duties.

• This job is located in an industrial environment where large machinery, tools, industrial supplies, raw materials, etc. are common. Noise level is usually moderate but can be loud when certain tunnels are in operation, or loud tools are used. Candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the job, which may include, but is not limited to the following encounters:

• Frequently lift and/or move up to 60 pounds.
• Specific vision requirements include both close and distant as well as adjusting focus
• Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.
• Ability to perform a task requiring continuous/repetitive movement, including grasping, pinching hands, flexing and extending arms
• Ability to stand on concrete and/or platforms for up to an 8-hour shift
• Ability to work while wearing head/hearing/eye protection, and steel-toed safety shoes
• Ability to climb, move on ladders, steps, stairways, walkways, and platforms
• Can bend, stoop, and twist repetitively throughout your entire shift

* Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Skills

• Soldering components and wires
• Wiring terminal block and sensors
• Reading complex diagrams
• Attention to detail
• Communicating technical information
• Working in Teams, often multiple teams at any given time
• Proven interest and entry-level experience in any number of electronics sub-categories, including but not limited to:
• Building prototype aerodynamic test systems
• Trouble-shooting electronic circuits
• Building prototype aerodynamic test systems
• Using Multimeter to measure Volts/ohms/amps
• Radio Controlled devices for inductive loads
• Facility Systems and hardware include, but are not limited to:
• National Instruments (NI) Aerodynamic Data Acquisition Rack
• Multiplexors to collect strain gauge balance data
• Analog to Digital conversion circuit cards
• Bandwidth filter circuit cards for eliminating signal noise
• Vacuum devices for checking pressures on model systems
• Air Pressure devices used to measure tunnel air pressure

Education:

• High School Diploma with relevant work experience or vocational training is required
• Preferred: Associ