Career Center

The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics currently has an outstanding opportunity for a Part Time Temporary Engineering Technician 3.

The UW William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics is seeking an Engineering Technician 3 to join Dr. Christopher Hansen’s fusion energy research lab.  The successful candidate will join a group of scientists with world leading expertise in helicity injection, plasma self-organization, and related topics to advance the goal of safe, abundant, and carbon-free electricity from fusion. They will support both local research at the University of Washington and ongoing national and international collaborations. This will be a temp position.

Job Description:

The ARPA-E funded HIT-SI plasma physics and fusion experiment, and the Department of Energy – Office of Fusion Energy Sciences funded CHI program, are seeking qualified candidates for an Engineering Technician 3 position to assist in the construction, operation and maintenance of the new HIT-SIU experiment and associated diagnostics. They will also support the design and assembly of power supplies and other equipment for the University of Washington’s CHI program, led by Dr. Roger Raman. Given the diverse nature of work performed in the HIT-SIU and CHI programs, candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas are desired: engineering, electronics and optical work, such as building, troubleshooting and maintaining electronics; troubleshooting and maintaining high-voltage pulsed-power capacitor banks; troubleshooting and maintaining high quality vacuum systems; and performing or supervising the machining of components, as required.

Typical work may include:

•Troubleshoot, repair, maintain, calibrate, and test electro-mechanical, analog and/or digital equipment, such as vacuum gauges, trigger generators, signal generators, analog/digital voltage meters, power supplies (including high-voltage capacitors and switches), relay controls, microprocessor-controllers, optical equipment, etc... Isolate problems including using and/or creating diagnostics as needed to locate malfunctions; perform mechanical, or electronic repairs;  perform electronic repairs to the system, board, or component level; calibrate and/or test for proper operation;

•Following general description of functions and schematics from professional and chief technical personnel, construct and document electronic equipment such as computer-interfaced prototypes, microprocessor controlled devices, or test instruments; design relevant circuits and circuit board layout; construct equipment using hand and power tools such as soldering guns, drill presses, torches, band saws, grinders, etc...; test, debug and modify as necessary to ensure proper operation; prepare appropriate documentation such as parts layout, schematics, and calibration procedures.

•Consult with professional and chief technical personnel on design concept, equipment requirements, feasibility of fabrication and safety features, and design computer interfaces with existing equipment such as vacuum systems, power supplies, timing devices, etc...; Modify and install commercially-built electronic and mechanical equipment  for use in experimental or research applications; perform preventative maintenance on electronic and electronic test equipment; test, diagnose, adjust and calibrate to appropriate standards; develop inventory lists; order, stock, catalog and store electronic components such as transistors, resistors, circuit boards, capacitors, inductors, connectors, etc.

•Confer with faculty, staff, clients, vendors, and/or supervisors in determining equipment problems or fulfilling service requests; supervision of undergraduate students; may maintain technical reference library and maintain database files for equipment inventory; may perform incidental maintenance or repair on computers; perform related duties as required.

Requirements:

One year of experience as an engineering technician 2 in either general government or higher education OR four years of experience as an engineering technician OR equivalent education/experience.



Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter, and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.