What are the responsibilities and job description for the Electrical Technician I or II position at AURA?
This position is open to Electrical Technicians at either Level I or Level II, depending on experience. The Electrical Technician is responsible for providing support to electrical/electronics and instrumentation engineers as directed by the electronics team manager. The technician will be expected to support design, review, fabrication, and testing of instrument electrical systems, including power management, motion control, camera, and thermal sub-systems. Plans and performs technical activities, or resolves technically related problems, exercising discretion. This may entail coordinating with supporting personnel.
Essential Functions
- Performs technical support activities, including fabrication, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance.
- Performs installation, improvement and modifications of Electrical sub-systems in accordance with schematics under supervision of senior engineers.
- Identifies discrepancies in documentation, red-line drawings or text and reports errors for updating.
- Development and execution of maintenance plans.
- Participates in the lab acceptance testing of sub-system equipment.
- Ensures that laboratory facility bench stock, consumables, spares, tools, and test equipment are maintained.
- Assists in solving design problems as required, achieving assigned project objectives.
- Solves coordination problems of a technical nature directly or in conjunction with other members of a project team.
- Assists other technical support personnel as necessary.
- Responsible for compliance with technical requirements and approved time schedules of assigned work.
- Monitors and reports results of activities and notes unusual situations.
- Builds, assembles, modifies, repairs, troubleshoots and maintains equipment for a project.
- Prepares technical documentation for use by technicians, operators, engineers, and scientific staff.
Other Functions
- Other duties as assigned.
- All AURA employees are responsible for the proper management and control of all AURA property within their work area, whether assigned to them or someone else. This responsibility includes reporting any known missing, stolen, or non-working property in their work area to their supervisor or the AURA Property Officer.
- All AURA employees are expected to comply with the Standards of Workplace Conduct Policy. AURA is dedicated to fostering a civil and inclusive community characterized by mutual respect for the contributions of all individuals.
Required Education / Experience (Electronic Technician I)
- High school diploma.
- 0-2 years of relevant work experience or educational equivale.
- Demonstrated aptitude for fine pitch solder, wire cable connectors, assemble electronics boards and circuit assemblies.
- Demonstrated aptitude in interpreting and generating electronics schematics.
- Demonstrated aptitude to test, troubleshoot, and repair digital and analog electronic circuits to component level using a range of test equipment including oscilloscopes, signal generators, and multimeters.
- Ability to speak and write effectively, including preparation and presentation of reports.
- Ability to thrive in a team environment.
- Ability to work safely around voltages up to 480V.
- Ability to obtain a Federal Driver's License.
- Willingness to actively participate in team safety meetings and adhere to (and advocate for) safety procedures and protocols.
- Sensitive to and respectful of cultural and environmental issues.
- Basic computer skills
Required Education / Experience (Electronic Technician II)
- Associates Degree, military schools, or college level courses in Electrical, Electronics, or equivalent combination of trades/skill training and demonstrated work experience sufficient to meet job requirements.
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in relevant technology or engineering support of precision machines / mechanisms.
- Proven ability to solder fine pitch through hole and SMT components, wire cable connectors, assemble electronics boards, breaker panels, and read electrical schematics.
- Previous experience of work on 120V single phase and 208V three phase power and transformers.
- Proven ability to test, troubleshoot, and repair a wide range of electrical equipment (transformers, motors, etc.) using a range of test equipment including digital multi-meters and oscilloscopes.
- Demonstrated aptitude for work with electro-mechanical systems across a broad range of operation, maintenance, repair, and upgrade activities.
- Ability to speak and write effectively, including preparation and presentation of reports.
- Ability to thrive in a culturally diverse team environment.
- Sensitive to and respectful of cultural and environmental issues.
- Basic computer skills.
Preferred Education / Experience / Skills / Abilities
- Experience of working in an Astronomical or Scientific Laboratory environment.
- Motion control, digital and analog servo systems.
- Infrared arrays and/or CCDs and controllers.
- Allen Bradley and/or Beckhoff programmable logic controllers.
- CAT6 internet cable termination.
- Fiber optics termination.
- Familiarity with National Electrical Code (NEC) NFPA 70.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
- Occasional need to move about inside the office environment to access files, office tools, attendance in a meeting room, etc.
- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity tools that require fine motor skills, such as a calculator, copy machine, computer printer, etc.
- May occasionally need to position self to maintain computer and related tools.
- Seldomly needed to move objects up to 10 pounds.
- Constant communication with other individuals. Must be able to discern and exchange information as appropriate to the situation.
- Constant need to distinguish, discern, and identify a variety of objects and fine details with accuracy.
- Occasional work at high elevation summit sites may be required (summit elevations range from 6,800 feet to 14,000 feet)
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required by personnel so classified. This Institute promotes Equal Employment Opportunity workplace that includes reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified, disabled applicants and employees.
Work Environment:
This position operates in a professional office environment and routinely utilizes standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and copiers. The work environment is generally quiet and may involve working in close proximity to others, depending on the needs of the specific function.
Salary Range:
- Electrical Tech II – $63,209 - $75,750
- Electrical Tech I - $52,601 - $62,962
The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications and experience.
AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at https://hr.aura-astronomy.org/benefits-by-location/
How to Apply
Apply by May 22, 2026 for priority consideration. This position will remain open until it is filled. Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: Lastname Docname.
Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance here
Salary : $52,601 - $75,750