Job Title:  Engineering Technician III

Under the direction of the Engineering staff and the Technician Supervisor, Engineering Technicians for spaceflight cryocoolers produce production hardware, assemble and test cryocoolers, read mechanical drawings, schematics and other technical documentation, and interface with engineering, drafting, and machine shop personnel to complete assigned technical tasks.

CORE DUTIES (Must do functions)

• Following the direction of engineering and senior technicians, assemble and process components, subassemblies, and Stirling cryocoolers for aerospace production.
• Follow procedures and protocols for performing work functions in clean environments required for spaceflight hardware.
• Document and communicate test data and results in electronic, oral and written format
• Prepare test hardware and test equipment to enable testing of spaceflight cryocoolers according to customer performance requirements.
• Perform characterization testing of spaceflight cryocoolers to inform customers and meet performance requirements.
• Provide input regarding assembly and testing of spaceflight cryocoolers based on data and characteristics observed during assembly and test.
• Perform in-process inspections and evaluations.
• Complete activities according to the cryocooler build schedule.
• Support process documentation refinement and review

ROUTINE FUNCTIONS (Lower priority than core)

• Participate in engineering meetings as required.
• Provide and review inputs to document technical procedures for tech transfer purposes.
• Continuously develop skills through education, training, observation and mentoring.
• Provide input and documentation for communication with customers.
• As requested, travel within the United States to oversee subassembly processing, assist with hardware delivery and/or customer integration/acceptance.

REQUIRED EDUCATION

• Technical college/university degree or equivalent experience

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE/CERTIFICATION

• Four-seven years directly related experience, an increasing ability to function independently, increasing ability in specialized skills and an ability to train others in those skills

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Excellent mechanical aptitude.
• Understanding of cryocooler test equipment and ability to perform testing.
• General familiarity with manually-driven and/or automated machine tools.
• General familiarity with laboratory equipment, processes, and safety measures.
• Ability to read and use tools such as: calipers, OD micrometers, ID micrometers, multimeters, thermocouple meters, oscilloscopes, etc.
• Experience with various hand and power tools; wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, dremels, etc.
• Experience reading graphical representation of hardware (mechanical drawings, shop sketches, schematics).
• Basic mathematical knowledge.
• Attention to detail, especially regarding proper assembly techniques and clean, defect-free hardware.
• Maintain clean and organized work area that reflects proper attitude toward cleanliness of hardware.
• Ability to receive and follow instruction/processes precisely and in a timely and efficient manner.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use fingers or hands to manipulate objects; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 10+ pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles.  The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.

ABOUT US:

Sunpower was incorporated in 1974 and is based in Athens, Ohio. Sunpower operations are housed in a modern 40,000 square foot facility with plenty of growth potential. The space is divided into research and development, engineering, testing facilities, machine shop, cryocooler manufacturing, and administrative functions. Sunpower Inc. is the world leader in Free-Piston Stirling Technology; in fact, we invented it! Sunpower continues to implement Free-Piston Technology in our commercial line of CryoTel® cryocoolers and our non-commercial Stirling engines which offer higher performance, higher efficiency, smaller size, and greater flexibility than traditional counterparts.Our product portfolio proudly generates the most-cited research in the world.