Research Laboratory Manager/Technician

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

 

The successful candidate will serve as a Research Laboratory Manager for the STAR contract and will be an integral member of a joint Government and contractor team that operates in a very dynamic environment. The laboratory manager administers all activities crucial for work in a research or test laboratory. This can include reviewing and developing laboratory procedures, machine and equipment maintenance schedules, dealing with safety and quality issues and external collaboration, as needed. This position supports laboratory operations related to cryogenic and radiation-effects testing of detectors and electronics for space-based sensing systems.

Essential Functions

The Research Laboratory Manager’s duties will include:

• Maintains a safe and healthy laboratory environment during all research or test activities performed in connection with the STAR SIREN contract
• Comply with applicable State, Federal, Air Force, Kirtland AFB, and AFRL safety and environmental standards and regulations, and documents compliance
• Coordinates and maintains laboratory research activities
• Provides support for tests and experiments
• Supports cryogenic testing of detector and electronic assemblies, including LN₂/LHe dewar handling, cryostat operation, cooldown/warmup procedures, and cold-stage thermal management
• Supports radiation and radiation-effects testing of detectors/electronics, including experiment setup, cabling, shielding configuration, and post-test laboratory recovery
• Installs, modifies, and maintains cryogenic hardware, vacuum components, temperature sensors (diodes/RTDs), heaters, and vacuum feedthroughs used in detector test systems.
• Performs hands-on electrical integration including low-noise wiring, harness routing, soldering, connector preparation, and interfacing with readout electronics
• Investigates, assists in developing and selects procedures for the laboratory
• Helps establish and enforce "best practices" for the laboratory
• Collaborates with internal or external research groups to enhance the capability of the research laboratory and to evaluate and select standard techniques
• Provides all laboratory and research equipment, test equipment, jigs, mechanical and electrical/electronic interfaces to the target experiment set-up
• Ensures proper configuration control, tool accountability, ESD safety, and documentation for all laboratory hardware
• Maintains laboratory equipment including cryostats, vacuum pumps, electronic instrumentation, and data acquisition systems

Competencies:

• Ethical Conduct
• Strong Attention to Detail
• Strategic Thinking
• Organizational Skills
• Self-Starter
• Can quickly grasp new concepts and processes
• Written and spoken communication
• Technical aptitude in laboratory equipment, sensors, electrical hardware, or cryogenic systems

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional/secure laboratory and office environment. This position routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, fax machines and other equipment as needed. Work may involve cryogenic liquids, vacuum systems, electronic test equipment, and hazardous materials handled under AFRL safety standards.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This position occasionally requires long hours and weekend work.

Travel

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be required.

Required Education and Experience

• Associate’s degree or equivalent of 3+ years of relevant experience
• Must be able to attain a Department of Defense Secret Security Clearance
• Must be able to obtain a Government Driver's License
• Requires minimum oversight to accomplish directed tasks
• Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment, electronics, or mechanical systems

Preferred Education and Experience

• Technical Degree in a related field or 3+ years of directly related experience
• Active Department of Defense Secret Security Clearance
• Supervisory experience in a laboratory environment
• Ability to perform the duties of Equipment Primary and/or Alternate Custodian
• Ability to perform the duties of ITE Primary and/or Alternate Custodian 
• Familiarity with Air Force approved software "Tool and Accountability System" (TAS) to generate inventory lists of tools and equipment
• Ability to coordinate approval of stock plans with the PRS Logistics Materiel Control Activity (LMCA).
• Ability to perform the duties of Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL) Primary or Alternate Custodian
• Experience with cryogenic systems, detector testing, vacuum equipment, or low-noise electronics is strongly preferred

Primary Location:

Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, NM

Clearance Level

 

Secret

The salary range for this role is:

$0 - $0

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits:  AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.  For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:  http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply.  NO agencies please.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems.  Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship required. Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.