Microassembly Technician Technical Specialist

Position Description:Position SummaryThe National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. Associated Universities Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. The Observatory has been instrumental in the study of black holes galaxies and the early NRAO we are recruiting a full-time microassembly technician to join the Integrated Receiver Development (IRD) group at the Central Development Laboratory (CDL) in Charlottesville VA. The IRD group is involved in the design and development of low-noise receivers components and novel concepts for radio astronomy instrumentation in the centimeter-wave millimeter-wave and submillimeter-wave frequency ranges and is currently designing integrated receiver modules for the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA). This position requires experience working under a microscope handling and mounting bare semiconductor die wire-bonding soldering and surface-mount circuit-board assembly. The position will also require probing custom chips and substrates using a wafer probe station operating and maintaining a cryogenic refrigeration and measurement system and testing microwave components using vector network analyzers spectrum analyzers oscilloscopes and power meters. The location for this position will be based at the Central Development Laboratory located in Charlottesville You Will be Doing:Assemble multichip integrated receiver modules:Obtain quotes and order parts for integrated receiver modules from an engineer-provided design. This may include compiling a Bill-of-Materials (BOM) and exporting manufacturing files (e.g. Gerber DXF GDS) from given design models and and maintain stock of commonly used components as well as project-specific custom with the in-house machine shop and chemistry lab for the fabrication of custom housings brackets and circuit boards with surface-mount components as small as 0402 in multichip modules from engineering design drawings including picking chips from diced wafers with tweezers attaching bare die using silver epoxy wire-bonding and micro-soldering multichip integrated receiver modules:Use a wafer probe station to characterize custom chips and commercial VNAs signal generators spectrum analyzers power meters and other microwave test equipment characterize components both on-wafer and in-package both at room temperature and in a cryogenic custom test cable harnesses fixtures and mounting brackets and analyze test data:Maintain detailed records of test results assembly procedures and performance measurement conditions test setups and any observed track and maintain laboratory inventory:Monitor inventory levels of critical lab supplies including electronic components adhesives wire bonding materials and test equipment with engineers to refine assembly and testing procedures:Collaborate with engineers scientists and other technical personnel to refine assembly and test feedback to engineers to improve custom designs especially as it concerns manufacturability and measurement EnvironmentWork is mission driven team oriented and typically performed in a laboratory within a research and development You Are:EducationYou have an associates degree or an equivalent combination of education and not required a bachelors degree in a related field is have 10 years of experience in electrical/electronic technology or a closely related not required you may have:Professional experience fabricating radio frequency or microwave components or with common RF and microwave measurement assembling microwave or millimeter-wave and CompetenciesMust be a methodical motivated team player comfortable in an R&D be able to sit or stand at a bench for sustained level of competency in Microsoft software products to manage and graph measurement results as well as other web-based to detail is criticalHighly organizedExcellent communication skills to keep records and documentationPhysical RequirementsThe candidate must be able to sit or stand at a bench for sustained periods. Visual acuity and manual dexterity are required and this position requires lifting and carrying 50 RequirementObservatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this Rewards:CompensationThe starting salary/hourly rate of this position is between $33.66-$43.62 per hour. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education experience skills competencies other qualifications of the successful candidate as well as internal equity and labor market :Associated Universities Inc (AUI) offers a comprehensive benefits package addressing the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment subject to eligibility requirements. AUI provides:Excellent paid time off (13 holidays annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)Medical dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participants base pay with no required employee Total Rewards for more Instructions:Select the Apply button above. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the Opportunity Employer Statement:AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement please visit If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process you may submit your request by sending an email to PM20