Electrical Technician

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world's leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS' expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Electrical Technician to join our CSS group located in Herndon, VA. The CSS group provides innovative, cutting-edge, security solutions for the United States Government. Our employees provide a multi-disciplinary, sometimes non-traditional, approach to generate innovative solutions to incredibly challenging technical problems in the national security arena. Our areas of expertise are in spacecraft payload and system development (especially in the confines of implementing very large amounts of functionality in extremely small, power-constrained environments); unique system development; ground control and operational software development; embedded software development; and unique cyber capabilities. Key customers include the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Performs or assists in fabrication, modification, assembly, installation, operations, repair and maintenance of moderately complex laboratory, experimental and commercial equipment.
• Read and comprehend design drawings and specifications necessary to assemble, integrate and test complex flight and non-flight systems.
• Consults with engineering on the design of equipment or tests; sets up and conducts moderately complex experiments and tests. Post process test data and summarize the results.
• Efficiently build, assemble, and wire electronic equipment of all types. This includes the fabrication of harnesses and cables based on an engineering drawing. Soldering of PCBs and similar electronic components and subassemblies.
• Co-create work instructions necessary document the assembly and integration process of flight and non-flight hardware.
• Set up Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and facilities for production runs of component, subsystem and system level hardware.
• Interact daily with management, engineers, and technical leads on issues and status updates (good communication under time critical situations is essential).
• Proactively identifies operation or equipment problems and assists in troubleshooting activities.
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations (OSHA, Environmental, etc.) wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Help maintain work area in an orderly condition by returning tools, equipment and materials to storage areas.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply. Note that we operate on a 9x80 schedule with every other Friday off.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires associate's degree or equivalent with seven or more years of experience. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
• US Citizenship is required, as is the ability to obtain/maintain a DOD Top Secret clearance.
• Technical training and/or experience in the military or aerospace industry is highly desirable.
• Extensive soldering experience including IPC J-STD-001, Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies, Certification.
• Ability and willingness to work on systems which have unusual conditions such as high pressure, high voltage, high energy, cryogens, or radioactive materials.
• Experience fabricating and testing harness assemblies used for flight and non-flight applications.
• Experience working with electrical schematics and mechanical diagrams. Ability to read complex engineering drawings and follow associated work instructions necessary to fabricate and assemble complex components, subsystems and systems.
• Capable of performing material bonding or staking operations using typical aerospace adhesives, epoxies, and coatings.
• Experienced with common shop tools, drill press, bandsaw and a willingness to learn CNC machining operation.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to create detailed work instructions necessary to assemble/test complex hardware.
• Ability to work inside a clean room environment and participate in hazardous operations in a safe manner per OSHA standards.
• Ability to support a flexible work schedule that includes occasional requests for weekend work or extended work day(s). Occasional second and third shift work will be required to support 24/7 coverage of flight hardware environmental testing (typically 2 weeks in duration)
• Willingness to travel in support of spacecraft launch campaigns or integration activities at customer or supplier facilities.
• Ability to identify issues, escalate them to the appropriate channels, and implement solutions to written documentation/drawings.
• Experience using Word, Excel, Visio and familiar with CAD software.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in aerospace or aviation harness fabrication.
• Knowledge of advance manufacturing environment principals.