Laboratory Technician I

POSITION PURPOSE

The Laboratory Technician will maintain the optical research and development (R&D) laboratory and ensure that the equipment, systems, material, and software are ready for use by R&D personnel. Additionally, the technician will heavily support the R&D personnel by building experiments, running data collection, and assisting with prototype validation needing laboratory measurement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

The following statements of duties, responsibilities, frequency, are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. These statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of all personnel within this position. Actual duties, responsibilities, frequency may vary depending upon assignments and other factors.

• Support R&D staff by building experiments, taking measurements, and reporting data in a clear form.
• Ensure operation of test systems such as thermal chambers, floating optical tables, etc.
• Keep critical equipment on a regular calibration schedule.
• Maintain a clean working lab; includes organization of optical components as well as cleaning and labeling.
• Manage the lab computers for necessary software, updates, and data storage.
• Design experiments using CAD software.
• Build experiments using optical and mechanical hardware.
• Collect data using several different software.
• Use MATLAB, python, or other software interfaces to control lab equipment.
• Write reports on data collection.
• Maintains inventory of the lab (chemicals, optical hardware, cleaning supplies, test equipment).

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Keep lab notebook and records for historical and patent purposes.
• Designs and fabricates 3D printed parts for prototypes.
• Create purchase order requests for lab material.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or other technical field from four-year college or university or equivalent experience
• Excellent written and oral communications
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• US Citizenship required

COMPETENCIES

• Analytical – collects and appropriately presents data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs work flows and procedures.
• Problem Solving – identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyses information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Communication – expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
• Innovation – displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas.
• Teamwork – balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others; views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
• Experimental Design – generates creative solutions; translates concepts and information into fixturing; uses feedback to modify designs; applies design principles; demonstrates attention to detail.

SCOPE AND INFLUENCE

Knowledge

Understanding and wide application of technical standards, principles, and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines.

Problem Solving

Provide technical solutions to a wide range of problems. Solutions are imaginative, thorough, practicable, and consistent with organizational objectives.

Discretion/Latitude

Works under direction. May independently or with guidance determine and develop approaches to solutions. Work is reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives.

Impact

Contributes to the completion of specific programs and projects via measurement and experiment build. Failure to obtain results or erroneous decisions or recommendations would typically result in moderate program delays.

Contacts

Infrequent inter-organizational and outside customer contacts.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH AND SAFETY

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

Work Environment

The work conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to lasers. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.