Instrumentation Specialist

Harvey Mudd College

6d•$80,000 - $84,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Instrumentation Specialist provides essential services to the College’s academic departments in performing and/or coordinating the maintenance and repair of a variety of laboratory instruments and electronics equipment that are used for instruction and research. The Instrumentation Technician may assist in the design and assembly of instrumentation as needed.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree or any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities of the position.
Experience: At least three years’ experience working with and/or maintaining and repairing modern instrumentation and electronics equipment including ordering and inventorying parts and equipment and negotiating with outside vendors for goods and services.
Licenses: Valid California Driver License and a driving record, as maintained by the DMV, that is acceptable to the College’s insurance carrier.
Familiarity with and knowledge of methods, materials, and equipment used in modern laboratories and the ability to learn about and apply knowledge to maintaining and repairing new or different instrumentation and equipment.
Knowledge of safe work principles and practices.
Effective organizational skills, detail oriented, and the ability to prioritize workload.
Ability to read circuit diagrams.
Ability to perform moderately complex arithmetic computations.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to effectively communicate and supervise in a culturally diverse environment.
Ability to properly use fire extinguishers.
Ability to work productively with minimal supervisor consultation, make sound decisions and effectively prioritize multiple tasks in a logical progression.
Must be able and willing to work occasional weekends, evenings or holidays as needed.

Nice To Haves

Preference given to candidates with a Master’s degree and/or who have completed college physics, chemistry, engineering and/or biology courses so as to understand how modern laboratory and electronics instrumentation/equipment are used.

Responsibilities

Maintenance of Instruments and Equipment Prior to the beginning of the fall semester, work with department staff to ensure electronic equipment, instruments and their related components are in working order. Perform necessary maintenance and repair work or coordinate the work with external firms or vendors.
Throughout the academic year troubleshoot problems, research solutions to malfunctions, and continue to maintain/repair instruments and electronics equipment as needed with the goal of keeping down time to a minimum and ensure an effective learning environment with students.
Recognize and provide diagnosis of major malfunctions and, as appropriate, dismantle and repair or contact external providers as necessary.
Maintain and diagnose problems with computer interfaces to instruments.
Assist faculty, when time permits, with providing tutorials and workshops to students on the proper use and maintenance of instruments.
As needed, assist in the design, fabrication, assembly, modification and/or installation of instruments, consulting with the supervisor or respective Department Chair in managing multiple or conflicting priorities and requests for assistance from faculty, students and other staff.
Ensure all laboratory instruments are safe and comply with applicable Federal, State and College regulations, policies, and laws.
Provide periodic status reports on maintenance and repairs to the supervisor and, as needed, obtain guidance on establishing priorities and managing workload issues.
Maintain inventory and records for necessary materials and supplies; ensure that the proper equipment, tools and materials are on hand for maintenance of instruments when needed.
Maintain inventory of instrumentation, electronics equipment and capital equipment for individual departments.
Recommend new and replacement instrumentation or equipment.
Purchase necessary components, track orders, and receive and check purchased materials.
Assist the supervisor in preparing a budget; may control expenditures within established guidelines.
Stay knowledgeable about the latest instruments and equipment. May provide information for grant proposals.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
The Instrumentation Technician interacts with Department Chairs for departments in which services are provided, and is expected to keep Chairs informed about the status of work performed and related issues or concerns.