Microwave Engineering Technician IV

JT4•Edwards AFB, CA

2d•$66,581 - $76,520•Hybrid

About The Position

An Engineering Technician IV provides support to the engineering and design staff by performing a variety of more complex or non-routine assignments during the installation, maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, calibration, testing, fabrication, construction, and operation of diverse electronic/mechanical equipment and systems in accordance with engineering specifications. The Microwave Engineering Technician IV position is responsible for real-time microwave operations. This includes providing real-time support, maintaining end-to-end connectivity for pre-mission checks, voice, video, and data, and monitoring microwave radios for abnormalities and resolving issues as they arise. The position requires an understanding of Radio Frequency (RF) theory and microwave systems, as well as an understanding of intermediate frequency (IF) signal flow. Deep IT or networking expertise is not required, though a general understanding of networks is desired. Duties include using spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, and power meters to troubleshoot signal flow, and interpreting engineering drawings to install and modify equipment. The technician also terminates RF and other copper-based cabling and performs preventive maintenance using Local Work Cards (LWC), operating procedures, and technical manuals. This includes logging maintenance activity and generating corrective maintenance job orders in Maximo. The position requires climbing towers up to 120 feet or higher as required and working safely at height. Travel to remote microwave sites is also required, for assignments ranging from 1 to 5 days. The candidate must be able to work overtime including weekends as well as varying shifts to accommodate mission support objectives. The incumbent must have strong verbal and written communication skills and must be able to interface directly with customers via email, phone, and in-person meetings. The incumbent must also be able to work independently or as part of a team, exercise sound judgment under pressure, and maintain working proficiency in Word, Excel, Visio, and other office applications. The candidate must obtain and maintain CompTIA Security+ certification; obtaining this certification is a condition of continued employment in this position. Strict adherence to Quality Assurance and Safety guidelines is required across all scopes of work, along with meeting all ancillary training requirements. The applicant must be able to achieve certification in communications tower climbing, tower rescue, forklift operations, and mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs). The applicant must also be able to perform work at elevated locations and successfully meet all Section Master Task List milestones within set timelines. In addition, the applicant must possess, or be able to obtain, a DoD Secret clearance within 180 days of hire.

Requirements

Vocational/technical training beyond high school from an academic institution, or military equivalent training and a minimum of seven (7) years of job-related experience
Working knowledge of computer systems and integrated software application programs
Ability to investigate, troubleshoot, and design solutions to problems in operational hardware and software
Excellent communication and analytical skills
Planning/organizational skills
Ability to work under established deadlines
Must possess a valid, state issued driver’s license
Must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance
Must be a U.S. citizen
Understanding of Radio Frequency (RF) theory and microwave systems
Understanding of intermediate frequency (IF) signal flow
Ability to obtain and maintain CompTIA Security+ certification
Ability to achieve certification in communications tower climbing, tower rescue, forklift operations, and mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs)
Ability to perform work at elevated locations
Ability to successfully meet all Section Master Task List milestones within set timelines
Ability to obtain, or be able to obtain, a DoD Secret clearance within 180 days of hire

Nice To Haves

General understanding of networks
Understanding of electronics, electrical principles, and RF transmission and reception of voice and video data
Familiarity with data transport and networking equipment associated with IP-based microwave radios
Knowledge of transmission mediums such as fiber optics, twisted pair, and RF cable
Proficiency with tools and processes relevant to procurement, logistics, quality control, safety, and maintenance

Responsibilities

Install, monitor, and service equipment and systems at the company and the client sites
Assist with the test and evaluation, check-out, and certification tasks
Perform validations/verifications of various electronic systems
Review engineering change proposals for equipment impacts
Assist in accomplishing engineering change instructions
Develop technical/engineering data for planned maintenance systems, technical manuals, troubleshooting procedures, drawing updates, operation procedures, and maintainability improvements
Support systems engineering activities with subject matter expertise
Establish and maintain a filing system, databases, and logs for tracking project status and inventory
Assist in providing the on-site customer interface for equipment/system installation, testing, fabrication, and other engineering tasks
Comply with engineering documentation standards, engineering plans, system specification, and test procedures
Provide technical data and evaluation for components, equipment, and systems consistent with engineering plans, layout, and contract requirements
Serve as a senior technician and assist in the training of other technicians
Support engineers in the development of technical proposals and provide comments on the technical content and level of effort of the proposed scope of work
Use established policies and procedures and subject matter knowledge to complete assignments of moderate complexity that vary in nature and sequence
Perform other job-related duties, as required
Provide real-time support, maintaining end-to-end connectivity for pre-mission checks, voice, video, and data
Monitor microwave radios for abnormalities and resolving issues as they arise
Use spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, and power meters to troubleshoot signal flow
Interpret engineering drawings to install and modify equipment
Terminate RF and other copper-based cabling
Perform preventive maintenance using Local Work Cards (LWC), operating procedures, and technical manuals
Log maintenance activity and generating corrective maintenance job orders in Maximo
Climb towers up to 120 feet or higher as required and working safely at height
Travel to remote microwave sites for assignments ranging from 1 to 5 days
Work overtime including weekends as well as varying shifts to accommodate mission support objectives
Interface directly with customers via email, phone, and in-person meetings
Work independently or as part of a team
Exercise sound judgment under pressure
Maintain working proficiency in Word, Excel, Visio, and other office applications
Obtain and maintain CompTIA Security+ certification
Adhere strictly to Quality Assurance and Safety guidelines
Meet all ancillary training requirements
Achieve certification in communications tower climbing, tower rescue, forklift operations, and mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs)
Perform work at elevated locations
Successfully meet all Section Master Task List milestones within set timelines
Possess, or be able to obtain, a DoD Secret clearance within 180 days of hire