Instrumentation Technician
Quality Statement:
It is the purpose of the Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) to pioneer value-added technical solutions with knowledge, excellence and integrity for our worldwide transportation partners, through personal commitment.
Safety Statement:
It is the responsibility of all NATC employees to follow adopted safety policies and procedures and to take part in protecting themselves, their coworkers and the organization.
Position Summary:
The instrumentation/electronics technician works under the direct supervision of the Program Manager and/or Instrumentation Supervisor. Responsible for planning, installing, troubleshooting, and performing quality control checks on instrumentation packages for a variety of vehicle platforms to record accurate, pertinent, and reliable data during test. Supports the package throughout the duration of the test. Performs inspections, bench testing, and repair of sensors, cables, acquisition systems, and other electronic devices. Duties include maintenance and tracking of the assets, calibration records, and all documentation associated with those assets as well as performing on-site calibration, corrective action, and support of ISO 17025. Supports research, trial installations, and validation of new and alternative sensor and data acquisition hardware and technologies.
Essential Functions:
1. Performs preventative maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of instrument assets.
2. Selects appropriate sensors based upon the data requirements of the engineering/test operations groups.
3. Calibrates instrumentation in a quality and timely manner, using in-house procedures or through external vendors.
4. Installs instrumentation on test vehicles and equipment and coordinates technical requirements and installation schedule with fellow employees including technicians, engineers, and program managers.
5. Document test setup in accordance with department policy using digital photographs and appropriate written documents.
6. Maintains Instrumentation Department records utilizing filing systems and computer databases.
7. Creates and updates calibration, data entry, and quality control procedures.
8. Creates and manages all instrumentation forms including setup sheets, calibration data sheets, job tracking forms and other forms as defined.
9. Schedules calibration for and tracking repairs of all instruments within the Calibration Maintenance Database.
10. Creates and monitors purchase requisitions for instrumentation department consumables, new instruments, and shop tooling. Corresponds with suppliers to obtain quotations, verify product specifications, and obtain status of deliveries.
11. Interfaces with external vendors to provide calibration services including selecting appropriate vendors, monitoring quality of service, and establishing comprehensive vendor list.
12. Acquires and reviews test data, recommends acquisition changes or subsequent data processing techniques to support technicians and engineers, and uploads collected data to the internal network.
13. Understands and applies industry standards for instrument calibration and verifies that internal and external calibrations meet those standards.
14. Relates well with employees and customers at all levels and at all times in a professional and personable manner.
Marginal Functions:
1. Builds and repairs cabling for sensors and acquisition systems using proper soldering and assembly techniques.
2. Utilize basic electronic and instrumentation theory to design and build custom instrumentation. Topics include anti-aliasing filters, ground loops, common mode rejection, signal to noise ratio, power consumption, etc.
3. Cleans and maintains the calibration lab; assists with record keeping and filing of documents in both hardcopy and electronic formats.
4. Operate basic shop equipment and hand tools in a safe manner following established safety rules; helps maintain a neat and clean work area.
5. Operates company vehicles in support of test operations.
6. Assist in special projects or other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
1. Associate of Science degree from an accredited college/technical school in instrumentation, electronics or metrology with two (2) years work experience in the field of instrumentation, electronics, or metrology; or a combination of education and four (4) years work experience in instrumentation, electronics or metrology.
2. Able to work in excess of 40 hours per week with varied work shifts.
3. Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a valid Nevada Driver’s License.
4. Must possess an understanding of sensor technology necessary to accurately measure parameters such as acceleration, force, displacement, strain, temperature, pressure, and velocity.
5. Must be able to type a minimum of 35 words per minute.
6. Must possess strong computer skills including data base entry, report creation, and report generation skills and proficiency in the use of MS Office Suite.
7. Must possess skills in math including basic algebra.
8. Able to read, edit, and proof documentation with high accuracy.
9. Must possess professional skills in reading and interpreting charts, graphs and tabular data.
10. Able to use and operate electronic and other test and measurement equipment safely and effectively
11. Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, expressing ideas clearly and actively listening to thoughts and ideas of others.
12. Must be able to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
13. Must be detail-oriented.
14. Must have excellent organization and time management skills.
15. Must be flexible and able to handle multiple priorities, with the ability to adjust to high pressure and rapidly changing business conditions.
Work Conditions:
1. Performs tasks in the field in extreme temperature and/or environmental conditions for extended periods of time.
2. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
3. Must be able to climb onto, work under, and maneuver around vehicles.
AAP/EEO Statement:
Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) values a diverse workforce and as an Equal Opportunity Employer, NATC does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status legally protected by Federal, State, or Local law. NATC assures you that your opportunity with this Company depends solely on your qualifications and other job-related factors
Important Notice:
This position is not limited to those duties in the job description. Duties and responsibilities can be changed, expanded, reduced, or deleted to meet the business needs of Hodges Transportation, Inc./NATC. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Notify the Human Resources manager if you require any accommodation (s) to perform any of the essential functions of this position.
All employees of this Company are employees at will and, as such, are free to resign at any time without reason. The Company, likewise, retains the right to terminate an employee's employment at any time with or without reason or notice. Nothing contained in this document or any other document provided to the employee is intended to be, nor should it be, construed as a guarantee that employment or any benefit will be continued for any period of time. Any salary figures provided to an employee in annual or monthly terms are stated for the sake of convenience or to facilitate comparisons and are not intended and do not create an employment contract for any specific period of time.