Technician IV

At a senior-journeyman level:

• Supports or leads the fabrication, assembly, and installation of apparatus and control instrumentation used to test experimental or prototype mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, hydromechanical, or structural spacecraft, instruments, ground systems, or subsystems, and tests and records results, utilizing engineering principles and test technology.

• Participates in conversations with engineering personnel to resolve fabrication problems relating to specifications and to review test plans, such as types and cycles of tests, conditions under which tests are to be conducted, and duration of tests.

• Fabricates precision parts for test apparatus, using metalworking machines such as lathes, milling machines, and welding equipment, or interprets specifications for workers fabricating parts.

• Examines parts for conformance with dimensional specifications, using precision measuring instruments.

• Coordinates and participates in installing unit or system to be tested in test fixtures, connecting valves, pumps, hydraulic, mechanical or electrical controls, cabling, tubing, power source, and indicating instruments.

• Activates controls to apply electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical power and subject test item to successive steps in test cycle.

• Monitors controls and instruments and records test data for engineer's use.

• May recommend changes in test methods or equipment for engineering review.

• Workers are classified according to engineering specialty or type of product tested.

Sample duties include:

• Support assembly and integration: space technology assembly support, government integration facility management (personnel training, security, safety), spacecraft and balloon assembly within government facilities, hardware/software procurement support, maintenance/upgrade of integration capabilities, and hazard identification with documented laboratory safety instructions per the Programmatic ESH Evaluation Plan.