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Job Summary

LIGO Laboratory (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) seeks a highly motivated and skilled Research Engineering Technician to join its team. LIGO is a National Science Foundation major facility dedicated to gravitational wave astronomy and astrophysics, jointly operated by the California Institute of Technology and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The current generation of advanced interferometers came on line in 2015 and shortly afterwards LIGO launched the field of gravitational wave astronomy with the first observation of the birth of a black hole; this achievement led to the awarding of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics to its founders. LIGO consists of two widely separated (3,002 km), 4 kilometer-long interferometers operating as a single, phased detector. One (LIGO Hanford Observatory) is located north of Richland, Washington and the other (LIGO Livingston Observatory) is in Livingston, Louisiana. In addition to work at the observatories, the LIGO Laboratory maintains staff at the Caltech and MIT campuses supporting LIGO operations, sustaining engineering and R&D. For more information, please visit the Laboratory website at http: \\www.ligo.caltech.edu .”

The Research Engineering Technician will primarily provide support to engineers and scientists working at our Caltech, Pasadena laboratories, where he/she would work under supervision, with others and, after appropriate training, on their own. The work will involve use of custom and standard lab electronics; custom and commercial opto-mechanical assemblies; vacuum systems; precision cleaning processes and cleanroom assembly.

On occasion it will be necessary for this individual to interface with a dispersed team across the LIGO Laboratory (4 locations). Travel to the observatories will be required on occasion, up to 10% of the time on average.

Job Duties

• Assemble, calibrate, test, operate and maintain laboratory electro-optical, electro-mechanical and opto-mechanical instrumentation and laboratory facilities to support ongoing research and development efforts
• Procure necessary optical, electronic and mechanical supplies, parts and materials required for the setup, operation and maintenance of these instruments and facilities. This will include liaising with (in-house and external) shops and vendors
• Precision mechanical assembly of instruments both inside clean rooms and elsewhere, following detailed assembly documentation including engineering drawings
• Working individually and in a team environment
• Assist with the development of equipment test procedures, laboratory processes and part evaluation
• Support both observatories, either remotely or on-site. Participate in system upgrades, troubleshooting, and problem solving. Assist with failure analysis, root cause and corrective action processes as required
• Testing of digital, RF and analog electronics
• Keep assigned equipment including e.g. vacuum chambers, clean room(s), test equipment running, maintained and supplied
• Keep assigned laboratories stocked and organized e.g. keeping the tools, fasteners etc. ... in order
• Organizing and performing precision cleaning of machined parts, including baking of cleaned parts in either vacuum or air bake ovens
• Packaging clean parts for delivery on campus or preparing cleaned items for shipping to the observatories
• Travel, up to 10% annually, to other LIGO sites
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

• Associate Degree in a technical field such as in Mechanics, Electronics, Optics or Physics
• Three years of work experience in a Laboratory setting– Proficiency with computer applications (e.g. Word, Excel, Web applications)
• Ability to read and understand mechanical and electrical drawings, technical specifications and assembly instructions
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, a team attitude, and a high degree of professional discipline are essential
• Must be able to  lift 20 or more pounds
• Must be able to travel, up to 10%, annually to other LIGO sites

Preferred Qualifications

• BS degree
• Experience in instrument design, assembly and working with ultra-high vacuum systems is highly desired
• Experience working in a large-scale R&D environment
• Familiarity with cleanroom environments
• Knowledge of basic machining methods, tools and shop skills
• Laser safety knowledge and experience

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter