TITLE: Engineering Tech (Mechanical Designer), IS-802, Grade 11, $61,425 to $79,847/yr
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Fund (non-federal)
DIVISION: - Central Engineering
LOCATION: Cambridge, Massachusetts
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All qualified candidates.

DUTIES: Duties of the Engineering Technician include but are not limited to:

*Preparing original layouts, computations, and engineering documentation for varied design features of mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies, sub-assemblies and component parts of scientific instruments.

*Translating concepts provided by engineers and/or project scientists into functional designs resulting in associated layout and detail drawings. Conceptual inputs will be in the form of rough sketches, design studies, verbal descriptions, and computer generated models.

*Interpreting and employing conventional engineering principles, practices, guidelines, and precedents as well as NASA program requirements (where applicable) in considering design requirements including contamination, structural integrity, corrosion resistance, spacecraft charging, orbital and ground environments, coefficients of thermal expansion, machinability, weldability, formability, etc. as applicable to the design of scientific equipment and components.

*Performing calculations, studies, and analyses to support designs such as geometric and dimensional tolerance studies, trigonometric calculations associated with optical layouts, mass property calculations and potential manufacturing techniques.

*Preparing and/or overseeing the preparation of all required layout, assembly, and detail drawings within the guidelines of the C. E. Engineering Documentation Release/Control Plan (EDRC) and associated procedures, and the specific requirements of assigned projects.

QUALIFICATIONS : One (1) full year of specialized experience which equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this Engineering Technician position. To be creditable, this experience must have been close to the work performed in this position. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include technical work in: drafting, Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD), physical science, mathematics, aerospace, architecture, electro-mechanical, optical and electrical or mechanical components or assemblies for scientific instrumentation. Experience in a trade or craft may be credited as specialized experience when the work provided intensive knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents. Examples of specialized experience are trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities such as experience as a technician in assembling instrumentation or test setups working from plans or procedures; experience as a mechanical technician or machinist working in fabrication and/or instrument assembly, testing, and debugging of precision mechanisms.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: We will only accept applications on line for this position. For a copy of the complete vacancy announcement and how to apply, visit: USAJOBS

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace.