The purpose of this position is to provide maintenance work and technical support for all electrical, electronics, and electro-mechanical systems related to the operation of the four 12-meter aperture Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes in the VERITAS array, and the co-located prototype Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (pSCT).  The position will also contribute technical support to the continued development and evaluation of the pSCT, which is a next generation gamma ray instrument.

Duties

1. Performs a variety of technician-support services, such as troubleshooting, electronics testing, calibration, and optical alignment and characterization in support of VERITAS and pSCT telescope operations. Assists with the development of new—or modifications to existing--electronic and electro-mechanical systems, equipment, and practices that will optimize the performance of instrumentation that facilitates the astronomical research programs of VERITAS and the pSCT.

Requirements

• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Pre- and post-appointment background investigation.
• Must participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds for salary payment.

Qualifications

Individual Occupation requirements:  Knowledge of the techniques and theories characteristic of electronics, such as a knowledge of basic electricity and electronic theory, algebra, and elementary physics; Knowledge of electronic equipment design, development, evaluation, testing, installation, and maintenance; and Knowledge of the capabilities, limitations, operations, design, characteristics, and functional use of a variety of types and models of electronic equipment and systems related to, but less than, a full professional knowledge of electronic engineering. Electronics technicians may have gained experience assisting in work situations including:Maintenance - Developing maintenance standards and procedures for use by others. Analyzing repair practices and developing procedural instructions for use by others on methods and steps to repair equipment.Installation - Planning and directing the installation of complex systems and associated facilities, particularly where there are site selection and construction problems, dealings with contractors and public utilities, and the possible need to modify equipment for novel site characteristics.Fabrication - Designing and analyzing circuits, determining design feasibility, evaluating equipment performance under varying environmental conditions, and collecting performance data. Designing or modifying designs to achieve performance and cost objectives. Evaluating the adequacy of equipment for such purposes as repair, calibration, and testing.Testing and Evaluation/Research and Development - Developing or evaluating new or modified electronic systems. Completing testing, evaluating data, and determining acceptability of equipment modifications, validity, test procedures and data, or legality of operation. Technicians support professional engineers in performing experiments, research, and developmental activities requiring an in-depth knowledge of technical engineering methods, applications, practices, and principles to work on concepts, prototypes, and experimental projects that are without precedent and support state-of-the-art research.Sustainment - Developing, performing, evaluating, or modifying calibration and test equipment, systems, and procedures. Reporting, analyzing, and archiving test data. Performing complex calculations and manipulations of test data to improve performance of systems, instrumentation, measurement standards, techniques, and procedures.Troubleshooting - Analyzing and diagnosing faults in the operational configuration of electronic systems and equipment. Interpreting circuit wiring, logic cable diagrams, drawings, specifications, and schematics of complete systems and equipment to understand the function and interconnections of the various assemblies and troubleshoot the system.Qualification requirements include one year specialized experience at the next lower grade level. Specialized experience at this level typically include: Assisting scientists and/or engineers in installing, testing, and maintaining a variety of electronic, electrical, and electro-mechanical systems and components such as multi-layer circuit boards and associated chassis; high and low voltage, and uninterruptible power-supplies; including servo-controllers, cabling, motors and safety interlocks; chillers and other environmental control systems; and test and calibration instruments and systems. Constructing simple multi-conductor and coaxial cable assemblies; utilizing a variety of tools and equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, soldering equipment, hand tools, drills, power tools, instrument handling/lifting equipment, vacuum pumps, and gauges; and composing basic documentation. For qualifications, please visit opm website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/electronics-technical-series-0856/

Contacts

• Address SMITHSONIAN Human Resources 60 Garden Street Cambridge, MA 02138 Mail Stop 17 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 United States
• Name: Joy Mathew
• Phone: 617-496-8327
• Email: [email protected]