Technician V
General Atomics
Company OverviewGeneral Atomics (GA) and its affiliated companies are among the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development, ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless, and laser technologies.
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures pioneering electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. Our growing portfolio of specialized products and integrated solutions supports critical defense, space systems, missile defense, power and energy, and industrial applications worldwide.
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Mechanical Laboratory Technician to support the machining, fabrication, testing, and maintenance of advanced laboratory and experimental equipment for high-tech research and development projects. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience with complex systems, a solid understanding of lab protocols, and a commitment to safety, precision, and quality.
This role is based at our Torrey Pines, Sorrento Valley, and/or Rancho Bernardo facilities and offers the opportunity to work closely with scientific and engineering teams on cutting-edge research and engineering tasks.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Fabrication, Assembly, and Maintenance
- Operate and maintain machine shop equipment such as CNC machinery, lathes, milling machines, and drill presses.
- Capable of programming and operating CNC machinery.
- Create and interpret supporting documentation including sketches, schematics, and basic CAD-based drawings.
- Fabricate, modify, install, maintain, and document complex laboratory, prototype, and experimental equipment.
- Interpret work instructions and general guidance to plan assembly sequences and prepare quality assurance documentation.
- Assist in the design, assembly, and development of lab, experimental, and commercial equipment, as well as new designs and processes.
- Operate specialized lab equipment and perform tests requiring knowledge of processes relevant to GA-EMS projects.
- Accurately read and use precision measuring instruments such as calipers, micrometers, and depth gauges.
- Execute experiments; collect, record, reduce, summarize, and maintain data on all new and existing processes.
- Communicate test results and findings clearly and effectively to engineering and project teams.
- Serve as the responsible technician for a set of laboratory experiments or a complex laboratory function.
- Identify, report, diagnose, and correct operational problems in equipment or tests.
- Interpret operating data to recognize when system measurements are drifting out of established parameters and adjust operating parameters to restore proper conditions.
- Develop practical solutions to technical issues, including assisting in the design and fabrication of specialized components.
- Clean, adjust, and maintain laboratory equipment to ensure reliable operation.
- Be available on a call-in basis to perform emergent or urgent repairs as needed.
- Work safely with potentially hazardous materials, including toxic materials, chemicals, gases, and radioactive substances, in accordance with established operating procedures and safety practices.
- Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators where required.
- Maintain compliance with all safety and regulatory guidelines and remain current with required safety training.
- Support and, where applicable, be specifically responsible for the safe handling, operation, and maintenance of equipment involving radioactive materials.
- Monitor all operations for regulatory and safety compliance and maintain a clean, organized, and regulation-compliant laboratory environment.
- Work confidently on systems that may involve high pressure, high voltage, high energy, cryogens, or radioactive materials while using appropriate PPE.
- Provide direction and guidance to other technicians in assembly, maintenance, test operations, and laboratory practices.
- Help ensure best practices for laboratory procedures, documentation, and safety are followed.
- Collaborate closely with engineers, scientists, and project managers to support development of new lab processes, equipment, and prototypes.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support laboratory and project objectives.