Senior Environmental Technician

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory•Cambridge, MA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with more than 2,000 employees. The Production Design, Verification & Validation group (GAD4) supports laboratory hardware-in-the-loop testing, including single-, two-, and three-axis motion-control tables used for precision positioning, vibration isolation, and dynamic testing of guidance-system hardware. The Senior Environmental Technician will serve as the Cambridge facility’s go-to expert for multi-axis table platforms, including Unholtz-Dickie Apex, ACUTRONIC, and custom-built tables. The position ensures that tables are ready, calibrated, and performing to specification for scheduled and unscheduled test activities, while also providing broader environmental laboratory and technical support. The role includes operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and calibrating motion-control tables; supporting engineering projects and testing; maintaining documentation and equipment records; and assisting with mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical/electronic test equipment. The position requires a minimum Secret security clearance, which must be obtained and maintained.

Requirements

Associate degree or higher in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Technology or equivalent experience.
At least 5 years of experience directly operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting multi-axis motion-control tables in commercial or government laboratories.
Minimum Secret security clearance; applicants selected for the position must obtain and maintain a 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 and CMMS entries; proficiency with Microsoft Office and simple scripting for data reduction.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and communicate clearly with engineers, contractors, and safety personnel.
Ability to work independently and complete tasks on schedule with minimal supervision.
Knowledge of clean-room practices and protocols and small-scale production environments.
Proficiency with MS Windows, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
If the education requirement is met, a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience is required; if education requirements are not met, a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience is required.
For the alternative education pathway: a high school diploma or equivalent plus two years of technical schooling related to engineering or science, or completion of military technical school.

Nice To Haves

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 with minimal supervision.
Perform preventive maintenance on table drive electronics, linear encoders, bearings, motor couplings, and pneumatic and hydraulic subsystems; 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, including frequency response, backlash, and travel limits, before test campaigns.
Maintain and update SOPs for table operation, safety interlocks, and changeover procedures, and train junior staff in correct use.
Follow SOPs 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 in repairing mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical/electronic test equipment, including shakers, thermal/vacuum chambers, centrifuges, high-speed cameras, and magnetic-field rigs.
Perform skilled assembly, build, modify, or repair prototypes, and support engineers on technical projects or products.
Collect, maintain, organize, compile, and manipulate technical data according to guidelines.
Prepare engineering documentation, reports, and drawings, including sketches, flow charts, diagrams, and schematics.
Perform mathematical calculations to engineering specifications and recommend alternative solutions to problems.
Set up and conduct tests and record data to assist with engineering analysis.
With adequate training, operate, clean, maintain, or calibrate specialized assembly equipment.
Document work according to work-unit policy, in handwritten form or using common computer software.
Mentor or train more junior technicians and perform other duties assigned to the engineering area.