Senior Environmental Technician

Draper•Cambridge, MA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Draper is seeking a senior-level technician for the Production Design, Verification & Validation group (GAD4), which supports laboratory hardware-in-the-loop testing. The role focuses on operating, maintaining, calibrating, and troubleshooting single-, two-, and three-axis motion-control tables used for precision positioning, vibration isolation, and dynamic testing of guidance-system hardware. The technician serves as the expert for multi-axis table platforms across Draper’s Cambridge facility and ensures equipment is ready and performing to specification for scheduled and unscheduled test activities. The position also provides broader environmental laboratory support, including handling and testing inertial equipment, supporting guidance-system logistics, acquiring and recording test data, maintaining laboratory equipment and documentation, and assisting with repairs. The technician supports engineers and technical projects, may assemble or repair prototypes, prepare engineering documentation, perform calculations, conduct tests, and mentor junior technicians. Applicants selected must obtain and maintain a US government security clearance at the Secret level.

Requirements

Associate degree or higher in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Technology, engineering, or a science program, or equivalent experience; the posting also describes a minimum Associate degree, with a Bachelor's degree strongly preferred.
When the education requirement is met, at least five years of relevant experience; when it is not met, at least ten years of relevant experience.
At least five years of direct experience operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting multi-axis motion-control tables in commercial or government laboratories.
Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum Secret US government security clearance.
Ability to configure, program, and operate Unholtz-Dickie Apex and Acutronic controllers, or comparable systems.
Strong mechanical aptitude, including use of torque wrenches, alignment tools, and precision hand tools.
Hands-on experience with linear encoders, brushless DC/servo drives, pneumatic and hydraulic actuation, and motion-control safety interlocks.
Ability to read and interpret error logs, encoder signals, and drive diagnostics.
Familiarity with oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and vibration-analysis software for root-cause analysis.
Accurate handwritten and electronic documentation skills, including lab notebooks, CMMS entries, Microsoft Office, and simple scripting for data reduction.
Knowledge of clean-room practices and protocols and small-scale production environments.
Proficiency with MS Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, and Outlook.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and communicate clearly with engineers, contractors, and safety personnel.
Self-starter able to complete tasks on schedule with minimal supervision.
The education alternative specifies a high school diploma or equivalent plus two years of engineering- or science-related technical schooling, or completion of Military Technical School.
When the college-degree requirement is not met, the posting says a minimum of two years of technical schooling may satisfy the requirement through the listed alternatives.

Nice To Haves

A Bachelor's degree; strongly preferred.
Knowledge of vibration, shock, acoustic, pressure, linear/angular acceleration, and thermal theory.
Facility Casualty Certified.
Crane Certified for payload handling.
ESD Certified.

Responsibilities

Operate single-, two-, and three-axis tables according to test procedures, including loading and unloading payloads, configuring motion profiles, and executing automated runs.
Perform preventive maintenance on table drive electronics, linear encoders, bearings, motor couplings, and pneumatic or hydraulic subsystems, and record service actions in the equipment CMMS.
Diagnose and troubleshoot table faults using built-in diagnostics, oscilloscope or logic-analyzer data, and vendor-specific software tools.
Calibrate and verify table positioning accuracy, repeatability, and dynamic response before test campaigns.
Maintain and update standard operating procedures for table operation, safety interlocks, and changeover procedures; train junior staff on correct usage.
Follow standard operating procedures for handling and testing inertial equipment throughout the laboratory.
Support shipping, receiving, tracking, and inspection of guidance systems in Cambridge and ensure logistics documentation is complete.
Act as a data courier between Bedford and Cambridge and perform data acquisition using portable vibration controllers, DAQ systems, and digital recorders.
Maintain test logs, record data during test-cell operations, and ensure data integrity.
Escort Draper personnel and contractors as required and maintain laboratory organization and cleanliness.
Assist with repair of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical/electronic test equipment, including shakers, thermal/vacuum chambers, centrifuges, high-speed cameras, and magnetic-field rigs.
Perform skilled assembly work, including building, assembling, modifying, or repairing prototypes.
Support engineers on technical projects or products by collecting, maintaining, organizing, compiling, and manipulating technical data according to guidelines.
Prepare engineering documentation, reports, and drawings, including sketches, flow charts, diagrams, and schematics.
Perform mathematical calculations according to engineering specifications and recommend alternative solutions to problems and obstacles.
Set up and conduct tests and record data to assist with engineering analysis, as appropriate.
With adequate training, operate, clean, maintain, or calibrate assembly equipment requiring specialized knowledge.
Document work by hand or using common computer-based software, consistent with work-unit policy.
Mentor or train more junior technicians and perform other duties assigned to the relevant engineering area.